Votes are still being counted, but an expansion of the MAX light rail system to the suburban community of Tigard appears to be squeaking out a victory.
Another ballot measure to expand transportation infrastructure appears to have won, this time in Portland, Oregon. An extension of the metro area's MAX light rail system is narrowly winning the support of voters in the community of Tigard, to the southwest of Downtown Portland. Reporting for Oregon Public Broadcasting, Ryan Haas writes that a vote to expand the rail system to Tigard was required because of a requirement in the city's charter which opposes light rail unless a ballot measure to approve it passes.
The proposed Southwest Corridor light rail line could reach 12 miles, making it the longest light rail line built in the region in 20 years. The northeast end would be close to where Interstate 405 goes under Portland State University. It would extend west and south to Bridgeport Village — the mall on the edge of Tualatin.
The Portland Tribune reports that the vote count as of Wednesday (Nov 9) morning showed the measure passing by a margin of 0.53 percentage points, with a 119 vote difference.
Read the full story: Tigard Voters Saying Yes To Light Rail Plan
TriMet to Redirect Funding for Transit Police
A new approach to public safety is in the works in Portland.
Advisory Committee Recommends Complete Tolling of Portland Interstates
A Portland regional value pricing committee recommended that the state transportation department operate two pilot programs to toll all the lanes on two interstate highways in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.
Regional Light-Rail Connection to Portland Hinges on Suburban Vote
The city of Tigard could make or break the proposed Southwest Corridor light rail project with a vote this November.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority