A $32 million infrastructure project in downtown Chicago to create dedicated bus lanes and improve bus shelters is done, but the city of Chicago and its police are not enforcing the laws they made to make that system run.
Downtown Chicago built a system of dedicated bus lanes called "Loop Link," but the lanes are often blocked by cars and bikes. "A Freedom of Information Act request was filed to learn how often police have cited drivers for driving in the CTA lanes. Each violation is supposed to come with a $90 fine. The finding of that investigation: "Never," report Chris Coffey and Katy Smyser for NBC Chicago. Interlopers in these lanes causes a lot of inconsistency in transit times and makes a bus transit system that has been losing ridership even less attractive.
The city invested heavily in the system to make their shrinking city more attractive and to serve its tax payers. "Constructing the Loop Link, including its designated lanes, raised platforms, bus stations, and tracker monitors, cost taxpayers nearly $32 million," write Coffey and Smayser. If the city that designed the system doesn't enforce the rules that make the system run, the city can't get the most out of those dollars.
FULL STORY: City Not Enforcing Traffic Laws to Help Loop Link Run Smoothly: Records
Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago
A temporary bus/bike lane experiment could lead to permanent additions around the city.
Chicago Creates Incentives for Transit Oriented Developments Along Bus Routes
Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration will expand its program to incentivize transit oriented development by including land around the 79th Street and Chicago Avenue bus routes.
Chicago Transit Authority Buses Inch Toward Prepay
A Chicago Transit Authority pilot program for prepayment is set to expand. Transit advocates can't wait for the agency to adopt the program around the city.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden
Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.
Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools
Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.
What the Proposed Federal Budget Means for Transit, Rail
The proposed FY 2025 budget keeps spending for public transit and passenger rail essentially the same as in 2024.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research