In the coming days readers will learn more about America's new transportation funding plan MAP-21, which will guide surface transportation planning through 2014. In this piece, Tanya Snyder centers on changes to the popular TIFIA lending program.
Streetsblog's Capitol Hill editor, Tanya Snyder, provides the update on the changes made to a popular lending program run by the Dept. of Transportation included in Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century or MAP-21.
"The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program has, since 1998, provided federal credit assistance at favorable interest rates to surface transportation projects of national and regional significance."
On the plus side, the program funding increased 720% to $1 billion. The downside is that it has been made "completely useless as an instrument to reward and enable innovation", i. e, "any old highway plan will do", writes Snyder.
"The bill eliminated all project selection criteria from the TIFIA program. It's now first-come-first-served."
"By removing those selection criteria, they've basically turned the federal government into a bank," said Sarah Kline, director of policy for Reconnecting America, "instead of an entity with national policy in mind."
Snyder lists the 8 criteria that had been used to evaluate applications. "Under the new bill, creditworthiness now accounts for pretty much the full 100 percent."
Thanks to Streetsblog New York City
FULL STORY: Under New Bill, America’s Transpo Loan Program Ignores National Goals
What's Wrong with the Senate's MAP-21 Reauthorization Bill?
Plenty, according to Tanya Snyder, Streetsblog USA editor, who finds Obama's Grow America plan far superior. Outside of not including a gas tax to fill the Trust Fund gap, she finds the proposal "underfunded and highway centric." She is not alone.
Does New Federal Transportation Funding Criteria Pave the Way for Wasteful Projects?
The new funding criteria established for the expansion of the U.S. Department of Transportation's popular TIFIA loan program may make it easier for projects such as the infamous "bridge to nowhere" to secure financing.
Federal Loan Programs Offer Billions for TOD
USDOT is encouraging developers to take advantage of loans aimed at supporting the building of multifamily buildings near transit lines.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie