With TxDOT unwilling to cancel a controversial freeway expansion project, the city is looking for funding to mitigate the projected impacts.

Austin officials could apply for a federal grant of up to $124 million to fund deck plazas over Interstate 35, reports Kelsey Thompson for KXAN. The grant application is directed at the Our Future 35 program, an initiative to mitigate the impact of the Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to expand the freeway despite local objections. “Those deck plazas could support community resources like parkland and green space, public art, small buildings and other amenities.”
The total capping effort could range in cost between $600 and $800 million. According to Thompson, “The application comes more than a month after the city received $105.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity program to support cap and stitch efforts.” However, the expansion project will likely still have negative impacts on local emissions and air quality.
FULL STORY: Austin could seek $124M federal grant to add highway coverings on top of I-35

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