Local officials have ended any hope of completing a bus rapid transit project in the Lansing, Michigan area, for fear of of the budget cuts for transportation investment projects promised by the Trump Administration.
"The Capital Area Transportation Authority is slamming the brakes on its plan to spend $133 million on a proposed Bus Rapid Transit line that the organization had said would transform the region's most important corridor," report Christopher Haxel and Beth LeBlanc from Lansing, Michigan.
Bradley Funkhouser, the agency's deputy CEO, gave the Lansing State Journal two reasons for the project's demise: "up to $100 million of expected funding for CATA's BRT was cut from President Donald Trump's proposed budget," and "CATA officials recently learned they would need to spend more than $700,000 on more traffic studies before the FTA would advance the project from the environmental assessment phase into one that begins finalizing project design." Although Congress has yet to debate or vote on the Trump Administration's proposed budget, "White House support is critical for such projects, which are funded through the Federal Transit Administration," according to the article.
The project has remaining grant money in pocket, which Funkhouser says can still be used for other projects "such as updating shelters along bus routes or developing an app to give real-time updates on bus locations."
FULL STORY: CATA wants to kill Bus Rapid Transit plans
New Details for Portland's Transit Plan as Voters Head to the Polls
Voters in Portland-area voters will decide on a transportation funding measure for the "Get Moving 2020" plan, with details of four bus rapid transit project targeted for funding announced within weeks of the election.
Potential Presidential Election Outcomes for U.S. Transportation Policy
Experts opine on the consequences of the presidential election for U.S. transportation policy.
Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Lakewood Celebrates Arbor Day and Strengthens Urban Forestry Legacy
Lakewood celebrated Arbor Day and its 43rd year as a Tree City USA community with a youth-led tree planting event at O’Kane Park, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to urban forestry and environmental education.
NYC Congestion Pricing Continues to Show Positive Results
While the Trump administration attempts to revoke the program’s federal approval, congestion pricing continues to reduce traffic, speed up bus travel times, and improve air quality in Manhattan.
Grassroots Dutch Movement Replaces Pavement With Green Space
Neighbors engage in a practice known as “tegelwippen,” picking up paving stones and replacing them with permeable surfaces, often with the support of local governments.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions