In November, Wake County, North Carolina voters will decide on a half-cent sales tax to fund a plan to improve transit in the Research Triangle (home to North Carolina State, Duke, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill).
"Wake County residents will decide in November whether to increase the local sales tax by a half-cent to pay for what county leaders are calling a transformational transit plan that would connect the Triangle with more buses and trains," reports Paul A. Specht.
The Wake County Transit Plan proposes $2.3 billion "to beef up bus service across the county and bring commuter trains to the area by 2027," according to Specht. If voters approve the project, the sales tax "would account for about $1 billion of the project’s cost in the first decade. A new vehicle registration fee and federal funds would cover the remaining $1.3 billion."
As for the details of the plan that would be funded by the sales tax, vehicle registration fee, and federal funding, the plan would increase bus frequencies, add 20 new miles of bus rapid transit service, and a partnership with Wake's neighbors in Durham County to launch 37 miles os rush-hour commuter trains.
$2 Billion Federal Grant for Red Line Extension Project to Chicago’s South Side
A plan to extend the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line 5.6 miles to the south won a $2 billion grant from the federal government.
Philadelphia Plans for a Transit Revolution
Three coordinated, ambitious, simultaneous planning initiatives are underway at SEPTA, the regional transportation authority for Greater Philadelphia.
BRT Stations Cut, Project Delayed in Atlanta
Inflation is taking a bite out of planned transportation projects in Georgia. The state's first ever bus rapid transit project provides the latest example of scaled back ambitions.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
SEPTA Budget Slashes Service by 45 Percent
The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.
Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill
Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.
NJ Transit Trains Delayed by Extreme Heat
Breakdowns in the subway network’s HVAC system caused dangerously high temperatures on platforms, while heat-induced track expansion forced trains to slow down.
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.
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
Sarasota County Government
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)