Infrastructure

Light Rail Plans Survive Election Challenge in Phoenix
An election to decide the fate of public transit planning in the city of Phoenix captured national attention as a bellwether for public opinion. Unofficial results have public transit winning with plenty of votes to spare.

Potential Routes for New Bridge Across the Chesapeake Winnowed From 14 to 3
The Maryland Transportation Authority has been studying the potential of a new bridge across the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Annapolis to Queen Anne's County to the East.

Chicago Dockless Scooters Used Across the City, New Study Shows
Data from the city's e-scooter pilot program show that they might be filling in the first-mile/last-mile gap for riders at all income levels.

The Colorado River in an 'Era of Limits'
New agreements and the first cutbacks in water usage signal the start of concerted efforts keep the river and reservoirs from dropping to dangerous levels.

New Questions Around Portland-Area Light Rail Project
A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.

Virginia Intercity Buses Exceed Ridership Estimates By 200 Percent
The Virginia Breeze intercity bus service has vastly exceeded original ridership estimates since its launch in late 2017. Two more lines are slated to launch in the spring or summer of next year.

Vision Zero Is Not Improving Bike Safety
The initiative focuses on safety, but fatalities are up and ridership growth is down in New York City. How is Vision Zero missing the mark?

Expert Opines on the Fiscal Disincentives Undermining Local Approval of Housing Development
Larry Kosmont identifies the fiscal dysfunction driving city resistance to state-mandated density and offers institutional explanations for California’s current housing crisis.

New U.S. DOT Policy Limits Page Length of Environmental Impact Statements
The U.S. Department of Transportation is following through President Trump's promises to ease the federal government's permitting and approvals processes for infrastructure projects.

San Diego Wants a New Pipeline for Colorado River Water
The San Diego County Water Authority hired a contractor to study three potential routes for a water pipeline fromt he Imperial Valley.

Three Ways Cities Can Combat Extreme Heat
As temperatures rise, there are some relatively simple changes cities can implement to cut cooling costs and deal with spells of extreme heat.

On Public Transit, Some of the World’s Best Sightseeing
From Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Sydney, the best—and the cheapest—views are on ferries, buses, trains, and gondolas.

Southern California's Metrolink Defies Declining Ridership Trends
Primarily serving commuters in the Greater Los Angeles metro area, Metrolink just attained the highest annual ridership in its 27-year existence. Officials chalk up the increase to a significant investment in marketing.

Lofty Ambitions for Denver's Planned Urban Trail
The first section of the 5280 Trail, ready for design work in Denver, is already being compared to the High Line in New York City.

The Case for Slower Cities
Lower speed limits make cities safer, more livable, and, in the long run, more functional.

What's Behind Copenhagen's Success as a Cycling City?
Denmark's capital is a model city in terms of biking, but the reasons that bikes rule go beyond political leadership and robust infrastructure.

Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland
City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

Flood Plans, Green Infrastructure Take Center Stage in Houston's Mayoral Race
The city of Houston will decide their next mayor in November, in a rematch of the two candidates who ran against each other in a tight runoff election in 2015 as well as a host of additional candidates.

Atlanta Pedestrian Bridge—Not a Good Example of Public Dollars Well Spent
The bridge was touted as a connection between downtown and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it is more a reflection of the city’s misplaced fiscal and planning priorities.

Pushing for a Five-Borough Network of Protected Bike Lanes
The Regional Plan Association (RPA) is responding to a spate of fatalities on the streets of New York city. The question remains whether the city's will response will be effective in improving traffic safety.
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