Anchorage to Consider Change to Transportation Paradigm

The Anchorage Municipal Assembly seeks more focus on pedestrian and transit improvements over traffic reduction in an upcoming 20-year transportation plan.

1 minute read

February 28, 2020, 8:00 AM PST

By urbanguy


Anchorage Public Transportation

J.J. Johnson / Shutterstock

The municipal governing body for Anchorage, Alaska agreed to consider a change in its transportation priorities over the next 20 years. Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions, the municipal planning organization, is currently in the process of finalizing a 20 year plan for automobile, transit, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

KTUU Channel 2 reporter Matt Leseman writes of the assembly meeting:

"Ultimately, we spend more money building roads in this city than on all other building," said Assembly Vice-chair John Weddleton.

The city has previously focused, partially by state and federal mandate, on reducing traffic in the most popular areas. Many assembly members and speakers Tuesday argued in favor of changing that.

“Building to minimize peak period delays results in overbuilding,” said Assembly Member Meg Zalatel, quoting a previous comment on the plan. “I truly believe it’s time for a new paradigm.”

Part of the reason for the shift is concerns over the effects of prioritizing automobile traffic.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 in KTUU Channel 2

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

June 4 - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

June 4 - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

June 4 - Philly Voice

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.