The saga of the 710 Freeway will continue, as it has for decades. Now, however, a proposal to build a 6.3-mile tunnel from El Sereno to Pasadena, has lost key support from the regional transportation agency.

"In a historic vote, the governing board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority unanimously rejected an extension of the 710 Freeway Thursday, saying building a multi-billion dollar tunnel would not feasible," reports Steve Scauzillo.
Though Metro has withdrawn its support for the project, it's still on the table at Caltrans, the state's transportation authority. "Caltrans is expected to vote on the car-tunnel project in 2018, after it completes a final Environmental Impact Report released in March 2015," according to Scauzillo.
The Metro board has other ideas for handling some of the vehicle traffic in the 710 gap, "proposing a myriad of street level fixes. First, it will spent $105 million of approximately $730 million available from Measure R for initial improvements to local streets by adding capacity, new bus lines, traffic signal synchronization and bike lanes." Meanwhile "cities such as Pasadena can now work on bettering the look of the so-called 710 Stub between Del Mar Boulevard and Walnut streets."
FULL STORY: Metro takes 710 tunnel project off the table, will use money for local street fixes

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)