Inflation is taking a bite out of planned transportation projects in Georgia. The state's first ever bus rapid transit project provides the latest example of scaled back ambitions.

“The cost of building MARTA’s first major transit line in a generation has risen tens of millions of dollars, and construction will be delayed,” reports David Wickert in a paywalled article for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The project in question is the Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project. MARTA officials say they will have to cut back on the number of stations planned on the route and push back the completion date due to spiking costs for the project. MARTA reports that the cost of the line has grown by 49 percent to $91 million, up from an original estimate of $61 million
“Construction was originally set to begin this month, with the line opening in August 2024. Now construction won’t begin until spring, and the project won’t be finished until July 2025,” reports Wickert.
As reported in the article, MARTA officials are blaming the delays, rising costs, and diminished scope of the project on inflation and unexpected costs in the construction process.
“The revelations are the latest sign that rising prices, supply-chain problems and labor shortages are affecting construction projects across Georgia,” writes Wickert. “Last month the Georgia Department of Transportation rejected 12 highway construction bids and withdrew six more because of rising prices. GDOT said bids, on average, are 33% higher than expected.”
FULL STORY: Cost of new MARTA line balloons, and construction is delayed

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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)