The program, aimed at supporting highway removals and other projects that work to reverse the impacts of freeway construction, is light on accountability and performance measures, according to a new report.

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that the Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program does not have clear, measurable objectives or performance benchmarks, writes Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive.
Reconnecting Communities targets projects that mitigate the damage of freeways by removing them, building accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists, or otherwise improve walkability and connectivity in the areas surrounding them. But without clear goals and measures, it could end up contributing to road expansion projects and band-aid solutions that only superficially improve neighborhood connectivity.
The report recommended that the Department of Transportation take three key steps to improve the program:
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Establish performance measures in line with the program’s objectives.
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Develop a plan to collect and analyze data from the program aimed at evaluating results.
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Find a way to share learnings from the program, such as whether the DOT is attracting enough high-quality projects and whether they can be completed in a reasonable timeframe.
FULL STORY: DOT’s Reconnecting Communities highway removal program lacks performance measures: GAO report

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.
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