Light rail, bus rapid transit and dedicated lanes are all up for consideration in Virginia's Hampton Roads metropolitan region. The area is studying options that may give the area -- where streetcars once prospered -- a familiar feel.
"More than 50 years ago, shipyard workers jumped on downtown trolleys to get to work. For decades, boxy streetcars schlepped through Hilton Village or along Chesapeake Avenue - until the rise of the automobile pushed them out of business."
"Now history might reverse itself - if the dollars are right."
"The Newport News City Council has agreed to let Hampton Roads Transit add streetcars to a study of mass transportation options that would make sense for the city."
"The $3 million study, which is fully federally funded, is scheduled to be released this fall."
"According to preliminary estimates, light-rail would cost about $250 million compared to about $241 million for streetcars. Federal money would pay 50 percent of the cost of construction, with another 25 percent coming from the state and 25 percent from the city."
"The study will look at running streetcars on their own tracks on exclusive rights-of-way, mingling them in regular traffic or using some combination of the two."
FULL STORY: Transit's future in the past?
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service