Despite the narrative about infrastructure spending priorities shifting toward emissions-reducing investments in the American Jobs Plan, the car-centric status quo expects more of the same.
If you've been reading the news and commentary about the American Jobs Plan proposed by the Biden administration at the end of March, you wouldn't be wrong to expect big benefits for renewable energy, public transit, and other, investments that reflect a more expansive concept of infrastructure.
According to an article by Michael Gorsegner, reporting for CBS 21 in Pennsylvania, representatives for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation see the American Jobs Plan as good news for the state's roads.
"Pennsylvania may see an influx of cash to fix its crumbling road network," writes Gorsegner. That assessment is echoed by the comments of Chris Drda, acting District 8 executive for PennDOT, who is quoted in the article saying that the jobs plan is great news for the transportation industry in Pennsylvania. One project mentioned in the article as a potential recipient of American Jobs Plan funding is a proposal to widen a 100-mile stretch of Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to Interstate 78 at cost of $3 billion.
The article also mentioned a plan to add an interchange to Interstate 83 in York County as a potential recipient of funding. That plan is moving forward, according to Gorsegner, with or without new funding from the Biden jobs plan.
FULL STORY: Transportation experts eye cash influx with Presidential plan
$3.1 Billion for California Transportation Infrastructure
Federal and state funds were recently awarded to a large number of road projects around California.
Maryland Highway Widening Plans Moving Forward Under New Governor
Maryland Governor Wes Moore is differentiating his new administration from his predecessor’s, but some projects, like the widening of federal highways in the Capital Beltway, stay the same.
Infrastructure Bill’s Emission Reductions Allotments Fund Highway Projects Instead
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 promised to achieve major progress on emissions reductions and climate resilience. A total of 38 states used the bill to fund emissions- and pollution-producing car-centric infrastructure instead.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)