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

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie