All road building and expansion projects are halted until they can pass strict new environmental requirements.

The Welsh government has halted all plans to build more roads in the country, citing environmental concerns, reports Teleri Glyn Jones for BBC.
According to Jones, “The deputy minister insisted new roads would be built in future, but said the government was ‘raising the bar’ to ensure any new road was ‘the right response to transport problems.’”
“The Welsh government said all future roads must pass strict criteria which means they must not increase carbon emissions, they must not increase the number of cars on the road, they must not lead to higher speeds and higher emissions, and they must not negatively impact the environment.” The article details the planned projects, all small-scale, that will go forward if they meet the new rules.
Some local officials are worried that the moratorium will endanger local infrastructure and public transit. Environmental advocates call the move “world-leading and brave,” but call for more investment in public transit and other modes. Otherwise, transit-dependent residents could suffer from reduced mobility. According to one Welsh politician, “a pause in road building without more guaranteed investment in public transport could mean longer journeys, increased travel costs and reduced access to important services.”
FULL STORY: All major road building projects in Wales are scrapped

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie