Washington is seeking takers on a disused 92-year-old bridge, eligible for the National Register for Historic Places. This isn't an isolated phenomenon.
In an NPR segment, the hosts discuss an interesting offer on the Washington State DOT's website. Replaced by a newer bridge, the State Route 167 Puyallup River Bridge, built c. 1925, is up for "sale." In fact, Washington's actually offering takers $1 million (estimated demolition costs) to take the thing off their hands.
That offer doesn't extend to anyone. Says Claudia Bingham Baker of Washington's DOT, "So we started brainstorming who would be our target audiences, and it's obviously other governmental jurisdictions like cities and counties or parks departments or even golf courses."
The hosts mention some other areas where "hocking bridges" has become routine, places as diverse as Texas, New England, and Missouri, which "has a whole page on [its] Department of Transportation website devoted to bridge giveaways."
According to NPR's Julia DeWitt, "Washington expects more bridge giveaways in the coming years as old infrastructure needs to be replaced."
FULL STORY: Bridge For Sale: History Clashes With Safety In Washington State Listen· 3:27
Crack in Bridge Connecting Arkansas to Tennessee Comes With Consequences, Debate
Goods movement on the Mississippi River, as well as truck traffic on a key interstate, has ground to a halt after a crack was discovered last week in a bridge on Interstate 40 connecting to Memphis.
Roads and Bridges Are Not Crumbling
Rebutting the argument that roads and bridges are "crumbling" and should be our first infrastructure priority.
Scrambling to Replace the Heavily Used West Seattle Bridge
The West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Safety Project is in high gear, more than six months after the city's most heavily trafficked bridge was closed suddenly for safety risks.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service