The University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper reports on mayoral candidate Bill Peduto's proposal to extend the city's light rail system to connect to Oakland, where three of the city's largest employers (including Pitt) reside.
Could an expanded light rail line reduce congestion and expand economic development in Pittsburgh's educational and medical hub? That's the idea behind mayoral candidate Bill Peduto's multi-billion dollar plan to extend the city's light rail, commonly referred to as the “T," to Oakland and throughout the city, reports Danielle Fox.
"Peduto, the city’s District 8 councilman, said if he is elected to office, he plans to establish a light rail line that connects with the existing system Downtown,' she writes. "As part of the expansion, Peduto is envisioning a light rail line that would go through the North Side neighborhoods to Cranberry Township, which is about 20 miles north of Downtown. Another new light rail line would travel through the West End neighborhoods to the Pittsburgh International Airport, which is about 20 miles west of Downtown. He would also build a rail line that would run along the East Busway to Monroeville, which is about 15 miles east of Downtown along that route."
"Republican candidate Josh Wander said it would be 'particularly cruel' to the region’s young people to pretend such a project was possible since neither the state nor federal government could afford to fund the multibillion-dollar project," she notes.
“Unlike my opponent I have no intention of attempting to fool the fine residents of our city into believing that there really is a government Santa Claus and that this government Santa Claus plans to shower billions of dollars on Pittsburgh,” Wander said.
FULL STORY: Peduto envisions rapid transit system in Pittsburgh

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