Despite a ceremonial groudbreaking last year, a $5.2-billion elevated rail project four decades in the making is facing an uncertain future as the centerpiece of a fierce campaign battle.
Already suffering from some of the worst congestion in the United States, a plan to build a 20-mile long elevated rail system from east Kapolei to central Honolulu that was supported by voters in recent elections will again be on the ballot next week. The plan is the centerpiece of a battle between former governor Ben Cayetano and former state House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell to become the next mayor of Honolulu, reports Kim Murphy.
Cayetano, "entered the race with
a robust lead in the polls, pledging to save the city from 'a wall of
concrete snaking along its waterfront,'" says Murphy. Instead, he proposes, "a $1.5-billion plan calling for bigger buses,
dedicated transit lanes, underpasses and a two-mile elevated freeway
connecting to an existing flyover near the airport."
Caldwell, on the other hand, "said the
city would be foolish to squander the years of political haggling and
millions of dollars already devoted to a project that will take 40,000
cars a day off the streets on an island that has more than 733,000
vehicles. Rail, he says, will foster the kind of attractive,
high-density development needed to avoid contaminating the emerald hills
and valleys on the rest of the island with new suburbs and freeways."
FULL STORY: Honolulu rail project up in the air, again

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont