There are some very large contingencies still left to resolve (like funding from the federal government) but revenues generated from congestion pricing are allowing for new levels of transit infrastructure spending.
"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority hopes to commit $51 billion over the next five years to the resurrection of the region’s mass transit system," reports Dan Rubinstein.
The newly announced 2020-2024 MTA Capital Program is a game changer, significantly increasing the dollar figure on the agency's current capital investment plan. The money would be spent on improving accessibility to 66 subway stations, resignaling portions of six subway lines, new buses (including 500 all-electric buses), and the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway.
"While the program relies on funding from the congestion pricing scheme set to go into effect in 2021, as well as excess revenue from the MTA’s bridges and tunnels, it — crucially — also relies on nearly $11 billion in funding from the Trump administration, $3 billion from the de Blasio administration, and $3 billion from the state. The governor is on board. It’s not clear where the de Blasio and Trump administrations stand."
More details of the new plan are available in a press release from the New York MTA, published on September 16, 2019, and a New York Times article by Emma G. Fitzsimmons.
FULL STORY: The MTA's resurrection plan: $51B and a subway up to 125th Street
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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