The report couldn't have come at a worse time, as Chicago prepares for fare hikes and transit cuts to make up for budget shortfalls.
As the Chicago Transit Authority prepares to adopt harsh new measures to shore up flagging state financial support, a federal report was issued last week that highlighted failings in the mass transit system that serves thousands daily.
"A yearlong National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the July 11, 2006, derailment and fire that injured more than 150 passengers found that the probable cause was 'the CTA's ineffective management and oversight of its track inspection and maintenance program and its system safety program, which resulted in unsafe track conditions.'"
"'The track had clearly been deteriorating for a long time,' said Bob Chipkevich, director of the safety board's office of railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials investigations. 'It did not happen overnight.'"
"The CTA's track inspection and maintenance, Chipkevich said, were the worst he has seen at any U.S. transit agency."
Thanks to Patrick Rollens
Read the full story: CTA blasted in '06 derailment, fire
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment
New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.
All sides of BRT debate unhappy with CDOT’s most recent move
The Colorado Department of Transportation is no longer considering center-running bus lanes for Colorado Boulevard.
Massachusetts bogs generate both power, and cranberries
Putting solar panels above farmland is one way Massachusetts is advancing toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello