Last week, the Federal Highway Administration awarded discretionary highway grants in what could be among the last expenditures before the Sept. 30 expiration of the gas tax. Included were $8m for Value Pricing Pilot Program projects in 5 states.
The awards were announced August 17.
From the press release:
"Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) latitude to support projects that maintain the nation's roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable." Unlike prior years when Congress chose some of the projects, this year all were awarded through a competitive process.
The largest winners of the Value Pricing Pilot Program were:
*$3,200,000 study to evaluate cordon pricing for downtown Los Angeles.
*$1.22 million to introduce peak-pricing on the 183A Turnpike in Austin, TX and "studying the influence on driving patterns, including dynamic ridesharing and HOV.
*$1.12 million to study pricing strategies for the I-95 corridor from New Haven to New York.
See state-by-state list of the FY11 grants.
Thanks to Richard Mudge
FULL STORY: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $417.3 Million in Grants for State Highway Projects
Massachusetts Gov. Makes Case for Road Funding Reforms
A package of proposed bills would change the state’s road funding formula to ensure more money flows to rural areas with limited resources.
Michigan Considers Mileage-Based Road Usage Fee Pilot Program
Exploring alternative road funding options is a priority for Michigan legislators to make up the state’s road funding gap.
FHWA Proposes Changes to Highway Safety Requirements
The proposed rule change would require states to include vulnerable road users in their road safety plans.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)