Congestion problems are becoming more acute in Chicago, and local planners and policymakers are urging the city to get creative in the way they address the issues.
"Ideas that have helped manage traffic in cities from London to New York include expansion of toll roads, peak-hour travel fees to encourage some people to hit the road at less-busy times, mass-transit improvements like point-to-point express bus service and creating public-private partnerships to help pay for new infrastructure."
"But as traffic continues to build up and back up on Illinois roads, state lawmakers and the governor are engaged in a fight over whether to impose tax increases and add gambling casinos as the linchpin of financing transportation."
"Proponents say by taking a diverse approach to the problem, many untapped options are available to squeeze additional capacity out of the existing transportation systems instead of going directly to the most expensive and slowest alternative of building new roads."
FULL STORY: Area gridlock taking its toll

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

A Case for Universal Rental Assistance
A pair of researchers argues that expanding rental assistance programs for low-income households is the most effective way to alleviate the housing crisis.

Office Conversions Have Increased Every Year This Decade
Since the pandemic, office vacancy rates remain high, leading many cities to adjust zoning codes to accommodate adaptive reuse.

Index Measures Impact of Heat on Pedestrian Activity
When heat and humidity are high, people are more likely to opt for cars when possible.
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