Rachel Dovey provides a roundup of mayoral races that feature special interest and attention on the issues of public transportation and transit-oriented development.
Writes Dovey: "come November, new leadership in Austin, Washington, D.C. and San Jose will determine the future of several light rail lines and, in the so-called 'capitol of Silicon Valley,' a sprawling grid that needs to curb its dependence on cars."
Austin's election will hinge on Prop 1, which would bundle $600 million for light rail with $400 million for road improvements. "The ballot measure was the very first issue leveled at mayoral candidates at a forum on August 28th. Three candidates — Mike Martinez, Sheryl Cole and Steve Adler support it, while Randall Stevens and Todd Phelps do not."
Washington D.C. hinges on a 37-mile streetcar supported by Mayor Vincent Gray. The San Jose campaign features two leading candidates with differing views on how best to link transportation and land use planning.
In addition to the coverage (with lots more detail) of the highlighted mayoral races, the article also examines additional transportation initiatives to watch from around the country.
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