Transportation Secretary Foxx Wants to Go Out With a Bang

Governing profiles Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx's ambitious goals to change the way the country thinks about transportation.

1 minute read

February 11, 2016, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Daniel C. Vock reports on the lofty ambitions of U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx as he enters the final year of the Obama Administration.

According to Vock, the U.S. DOT "is pushing cities to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, hosting a 'Smart City' competition to showcase how technology can improve transportation,  and doling out money from a new five-year, $305 billion federal transportation package."

But even more ambitious, according to Vock, Secretary Foxx has added two additional goals to his list:

First, he wants to tear down -- or at least improve -- transportation infrastructure that isolates communities. Second, he wants to find a way for cities to get federal transportation money directly, rather than have it flow almost exclusively through states.

In this case "transportation infrastructure that isolates communities" means elevated highways as well as the lack of transportation options found in some sprawling communities. Vock acknowledges that achieving those goals would "reverse decades of policy." But Secretary Foxx would settle for planting "seeds for long-term change."

Thursday, February 11, 2016 in Governing

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business