While the state plans to spend millions on urban highways, roads in rural areas remain poorly maintained.
Research from the University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center reveals disparities in transportation infrastructure between the state’s urban and rural areas.
“Per the EPC’s research, Alabamians living in the Black Belt and other rural areas of the state must make longer commutes at a disproportionate rate due to inadequate roadway infrastructure.” As Alex Jobin explains in Alabama Political Reporter, the state is proposing to allocate funding for urban highway projects such as a proposed widening of Interstate 65. Meanwhile, 21% of Black Belt residents have commutes of over 45 minutes, compared with 15% of workers statewide.
The report recommends prioritizing the most urgent transportation projects rather than simply using high traffic volumes to determine which roads will get fixed first. “They argue that agencies including the Alabama Department of Transportation, ALDOT, should also take travel-time burden, commuting reliance and safety risks into consideration when considering infrastructure investments.” The report also suggests expanding grant-based funding mechanisms for rural infrastructure and improving technical assistance for local communities.
Read the full story: U of A EPC releases report on transportation infrastructure in the Black Belt
Congress Hears Rural Transportation Challenges
A Congressional subcommittee heard testimony from rural transportation officials, transit providers, and lawmakers.
How Homelessness Differs in Rural America
Although less visible than in major cities, the housing crisis is no less severe in many rural communities, where being unhoused poses unique challenges.
On-Demand Microtransit Proves Itself in Rural Virginia
Two Virginia transit companies launched pilot projects for on-demand microtransit services in 2021, spurring record growth in ridership as a result.
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