Missouri State Representative Bryan Spencer (R-Wentzville) on tolls: Don't even think about it, Missouri Department of Transportation.
"Missouri lawmakers are putting the brakes on any talk of transforming all or parts of Interstate 70 into a toll road," reports Kurt Erickson. An amendment attached to the budget proposal moving through the state's General Assembly bars the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) from even studying the idea.
The legislation wouldn't just stop at I-70. The amendment reads: "No funds shall be used for any costs associated with the tolling of interstate highways."
The legislation responds to news reported by a recent article by Leah Thorsen, which revealed that MoDOT officials are considering tolling as a way to fill a funding gap for repairs to I-70.
The remainder of Erickson's coverage details the political interests behind the proposed tolling prohibition, as well as the transportation funding regime in the state. The state's 17-cents per gallon gas tax "is among the lowest in the nation," writes Erickson, but efforts to raise the tax by six cents failed in the House last year.
Read the full story: Missouri lawmakers pushing for ban on toll roads
Electric Driving Is the Future; Now Is the Time to Price It
EVs are great, but they’re not perfect. Let’s end their free ride.
Michigan to Study Feasibility of Toll Roads
The search for new road funding continues in Michigan.
Grow America Transportation Bill Would Open the Door to Tolling on Interstates
Although its unclear just how much influence the Department of Transportation's surface transportation authorization bill, called GROW AMERICA, will have (if any at all), the bill makes apparent a sea change with regard to tolling of the interstates.
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.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority