The latest round of Gov. Larry Hogan v. public transit goes to the latter.
“Maryland passed legislation to expedite rail projects and expand commuter train operations, as state lawmakers on Saturday overrode the veto of Gov. Larry Hogan (R),” reports Luz Lazo for the Washington Post.
“The measure, the Maryland Regional Rail Transformation Act, moves forward a plan that aims to extend MARC trains past Union Station in the District and into Virginia in coming years, and it requires Maryland to advance design of rail projects that could use federal infrastructure money,” adds Lazo.
As reported in an article by Lazo in March 2020, The larger regional plan for rail transit in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. first won support from Maryland Legislators at the end of a legislative session cut short by the public health crisis at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Planetizen also shared news about the vision’s support from regional transit advocates in February 2021.
Gov. Hogan has been no friend to public transit ambitions during his tenure, infamously rescinding a plan to build rail transit in Baltimore (and attracting civil right scrutiny in the process) and most recently championing a major expansion of interstate capacity in the state.
FULL STORY: Md. lawmakers overturn Hogan’s veto, push for expanded MARC service
Maryland to Restart Planning for East-West Transit Line Through Baltimore
A plan for the Red Line, an east-west light rail line notoriously canceled by former-Governor Larry Hogan in 2015, is back on the table in Baltimore.
One Rail System to Ring the Bay Area? Supporters See Reasons for Optimism
A plan to integrate the various regional transit providers in the San Francisco Bay Area could be the key to winning back transit riders in the post-pandemic world.
A Regional Vision for Virginia, Maryland, D.C. Rail
Expanding rail service to more communities in Maryland and D.C. could enhance the benefits of Virginia's recent investments in intercity rail.
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.
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.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
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
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.
