With so much funding going to highway construction and expansion, the 2021 law could add 69 million metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere in the next two decades.
An analysis by Transportation for America reveals that the 2021 infrastructure law could ultimately add 69 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by 2040.
Dan Zukowski describes the study in Smart Cities Dive, writing that according to T4A policy associate, Corrigan Salerno, “Nearly 25% of the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] formula dollars, specifically, states are spending towards highway expansion and another quarter is being spent towards highway resurfacing.”
Critics say highway expansion creates induced demand and contributes to increased carbon emissions. Zukowski notes that the study was released before the Biden administration announced potential changes to emission standards. “The revised rule is expected to look for EVs to account for less than 60% of new vehicles manufactured by 2030, according to sources cited by Reuters.”
Transportation for America Director Beth Osborne said “If the bipartisan infrastructure bill had invested in shifting our transportation spending from ineffective and damaging highway expansions to roadway repair, bridge replacement, public transit, safe streets and more housing close to jobs and opportunities.”
Read the full story: Infrastructure law may increase transportation’s GHG emissions as states spend more on highways
Report: Some Rural States Ahead of More Urbanized Ones in Reducing Transportation Emissions
This is a largely unintended consequence of states with lower populations and resources focusing on repairing existing roads and infrastructure rather than expanding and building new roads.
Opinion: California Must Walk the Walk on Transportation Emissions
While state leaders tout their climate goals at COP28, residents back home continue to fight highway expansion projects that induce traffic and increase emissions.
LA Metro Increases Highway Expansion Budget by 40%
Metro has plans to expand freeways including the 5, 105, and 405, among others.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority