Transportation for America’s report argues that the growing cost of maintaining highways should refocus spending away from expansion projects, toward maintenance efforts.

Road conditions are deteriorating in the United States, and a report from Transportation for America argues that too many new roads is a big part of the problem. "Between 2009 and 2017, states added 223,494 highway lane miles — enough to crisscross the United States 83 times, T4A says. Those new highways add to the already crushing maintenance burden," Angie Schmitt writes for Streetsblog USA.
Many have suspected that incentives push state governments to build new assets for ribbon cuttings, instead of maintaining existing resources. This report confirms that contention. "If Congress really wants to improve infrastructure, it should attach some strings to any funding to prioritize maintenance over new construction," Schmitt suggests. Without these strings, states create a vicious cycle where each administration creates more assets to maintain while letting the ones it inherited fall further and further into disrepair.
FULL STORY: The Real Reason Roads Are In Bad Shape

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie