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

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites
The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway
The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot
The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions