A Utah mayor writes in support of state legislation that tasks state agencies with coordinating major transit projects, citing it as a positive step toward accommodating Utah’s explosive growth.

In an opinion piece for Desert News, Troy Walker, mayor of Draper, Utah, explains his support for recently passed state legislation that “authorizes [Utah Department of Transportation] UDOT to manage and oversee transit capital projects that the Utah Transit Authority would then operate and maintain.”
According to Walker, “Utah is doubling in population and leading the country on a number of key economic metrics,” and its public transportation infrastructure should reflect this regional growth. “With a state agency delivering transit capital projects, the Legislature will likely feel more comfortable allocating additional state funding to transit. Over time, this could potentially make hundreds of millions of dollars available for regionally significant transit projects.”
As Walker points out, “Having a state department of transportation manage the delivery of a rail or bus line is not regularly done in other parts of the country. However, UDOT delivers multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects ahead of schedule and under budget all the time.”
On the benefits of the new bill, Walker writes that“HB322 institutionalizes collaboration between Utah’s largest transportation agencies and will ultimately save taxpayer resources through improved coordination and efficient streamlining of our critical transportation resources.”
Walker’s support for better public transit stems in part from Draper’s role as home to The Point, a planned development designed as a transit-oriented 15-minute community that Walker calls “arguably the most significant economic and quality-of-life opportunity in state history.” The goal of The Point, Walker argues, can only be achieved by providing residents with effective transit connections to other parts of the state. For now, while it prioritizes car-free transportation and multimodal travel, current plans for The Point include around 40,000 parking spaces, though developers are looking at ways to reduce this number.
FULL STORY: Opinion: Utah is the fastest-growing state, and public transit needs to catch up

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions