A new report by U.S. PIRG and the Frontier Group identifies the highway projects most likely to break the transportation funding bank.
U.S. PIRG and the Frontier Group have released the second "Highway Boondoggles" report, which makes the case that highway expansion projects are a waste of transportation funding in an era of critical funding needs.
The report's Executive Summary is available online, along with a .pdf of the full report. The report identifies 12 proposed highway projects, "slated to cost at least $24 billion," as evidence of the need for a "fresh approach" to transportation funding. Projects from Connecticut, Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, North Carolina, Washington, Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania make the list.
The report also looks back, at examples of highway expansion projects that failed to deliver any congestion relief (the 1-405 in Los Angeles and the Katy Freeway in Houston being the most famous examples) and at examples of states and local jurisdictions thinking twice before proceeding with expansion projects (with the Illiana Expressway being the most famous example).
The Executive Summary concludes by previewing the policy recommendations included in the report, such as adopting fix-it-first policies and adopting the newest forecasting and systems models.
FULL STORY: Highway Boondoggles 2: More Wasted Money and America’s Transportation Future
PIRG Releases Third Highway Boondoggles Report
A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the Frontier Group indicates that highway boondoggles have been getting bigger, more costly, with the benefits more limited. Nine projects are analyzed in "Highway Boondoggles 3."
The Biggest Highway Boondoggles in the United States
Frontier Group and U.S. PIRG have released the fifth edition of its Highway Boondoggles report.
Nine Highway Expansions Identified as Worst Boondoggles of 2018
In a new report, U.S. PIRG and the Frontier Group describe nine costly highway projects amounting to $30 billion in their fourth annual "Highway Boondoggles" report. All share the theme of induced travel demand.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)