In November, Pennsylvania approved the state's comprehensive transportation funding plan, also known as Act 89. The plan will spend $2.3 billion over five years, and has provided a productive signal to regional and local transportation planning.
"For the first time in at least six years, the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) does not have an 'illustrative unfunded list.' Instead, thanks to the passage of Act 89, the recent state transportation funding legislation, the region will see an additional $1.2 billion for transportation improvements over the next four years," reports Christine Fisher.
The TIP "lists all transportation projects in DVRPC’s five-county Pennsylvania region that will receive federal funding over the next four years and all state capital improvement projects. For projects to advance, they must be included in the TIP."
In effect, the funding made available by Act 89 clears the way for the state to begin to clear the backlog. "This means long awaited projects like SEPTA’s City Hall/15th Street Station improvement will be able to move forward."
The new funding scenario has also compelled the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to complete an amendment updated of its long-range plan, completed last year.
FULL STORY: Act 89 improves fate of transit projects banished to the "unfunded list"
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
Alaska Village Becomes Test Case for Climate Change Relocation
The Yup’ik village of Newtok is the first Alaska community to begin a full-scale relocation necessitated by the impacts of climate change. Another 31 Alaska communities remain vulnerable.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.