A new report from the Urban Land Institute concludes that Boston's subways could become overwhelmed by widespread congestion by the end of the decade without investment in more subway cars, better power and signal systems, reports Eric Moskowitz.
Already burdened by the highest debt obligations of any transit agency in the nation, the MBTA got news this week is likely didn't want to hear. "Surging T [subway] ridership and booming construction around transit stations, the study from the Urban Land Institute found, are poised to overwhelm the MBTA, potentially limiting future development and slowing the regional economy," warns Moskowitz.
"Congestion relief has long been a priority for highway spending; it is past time to recognize that addressing congestion is equally important for the transit system,'' wrote lead author Stephanie Pollack, associate director of Northeastern University's Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.
Accompanied by a companion report from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council that analyzed the development potential around every rapid transit and commuter rail station, "The reports are meant to reframe the debate over whether to spend scarce infrastructure dollars extending the T to new communities or repairing the aging system."
"The MBTA has a repair and replacement backlog exceeding $3 billion that grows faster than it can afford to cross old problems off the list."
FULL STORY: Surging MBTA ridership could overwhelm system, report warns
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
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