The federal government was already slow to cooperate with a plan to charge automobile drivers for entering certain parts of Manhattan, but with coronavirus commanding so much attention, the project isn't likely to move forward any time soon.

"New York’s congestion pricing plan is on ice thanks in part to the coronavirus pandemic — and the delay could imperil the MTA’s plans to overhaul the city’s mass transit networks," reports Clayton Guse.
"The plan to toll vehicles in Manhattan south of 60th St. is intended to fund $15 billion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $51.5 billion five-year capital plan, which includes the rapid modernization of delay-inducing subway signals and accessibility additions to 66 subway stations," explains Guse of the transit planning connection to the congestion pricing scheme proposed for automobile drivers on the streets of Manhattan.
As noted by Guse, the congestion pricing scheme had already encountered delays while seeking federal environmental approval for the plan, but the coronavirus adds a new layer of difficulty. "Now, with the feds in the trenches of a pandemic, transit honchos don’t expect congestion pricing to be a priority for officials in the Trump administration," according to Guse.

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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