Infrastructure

The Robert Moses Nexus to Amazon's Cancellation of Queens HQ2
Last week, Amazon abruptly canceled its decision to invest about $2.5 billion and bring 25,000 high-paying jobs to Queens. A scholar blames their abrupt decision on an arcane state bureaucracy tasked with preventing Robert Moses-like takings.

Keeping the Dream Alive of a Downtown Freeway Cap in Atlanta
Advocates and experts are still working to further the idea of capping a Downtown freeway connector in Atlanta—a project called "The Stitch."

Connecticut Transportation Funding Debate: Toll Trucks or Toll All Vehicles?
New Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has reversed the position of his campaign, when he pledged to toll only heavy trucks to tackle traffic congestion. In an op-ed, Lamont explains why all vehicles must be tolled. He also rules out a gas tax hike.

Major Street Redesign Coming to Pittsburgh's Historic Strip District
Five blocks in Pittsburgh's Historic Produce Terminal Strip District will gain wider sidewalks, public spaces, and traffic calming according to a recently released final design concept.

San Antonio's Draft Climate Plan Receives Relatively Warm Reception
The public had its first chance to weigh in on a draft climate plan released in January, sending signals about the political viability of climate change action in the state of Texas.

What President Trump's Border Wall Can't Stop
William H. Frey, a demographer with Brookings, argues that racial diversity is a good thing for the country by many measures. Trump's wall would make it harder to benefit from demographic changes, but changes is still coming.

Two Cities That Reduced Driving Over a Decade
Minneapolis and Seattle bucked national trends by increasing active transportation and use of public transit in recent years.

Sale of Illinois Tollway Considered to Pay Pension Debt
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a $134 billion problem in unfunded pension liabilities. Along with several other measures, his administration is considering selling state assets, including the Illinois Tollway, to fill the hole.

Ontario's Plan for Taking Over Toronto's Subway Revealed
Ontario Progressive Conservatives want the province to take ownership of the city of Toronto's subway network and take responsibility for maintaining and construction.

Checking in With St. Paul's First-Ever Pedestrian Plan
The public is providing feedback on the city of St. Paul's first-ever Pedestrian Plan.

Speeding Up Trips on the Canal Street Streetcar in New Orleans
Big changes are in store for one of the busiest transit lines in New Orleans.

Environmental Assessment for I-5 Improvement Project in Portland Promises Air, Traffic, Safety Benefits
The environmental assessment for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, released on February 15, 2019, promises to be controversial.

14 Potential Locations for a New Bridge Across the Chesapeake Bay
A long term plan to add an additional bridge connection across the Chesapeake Bay is underway in Maryland.

More Fallout From Downsizing California High-Speed Rail
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial warns that San Francisco must find funds, intended to come from the state's ambitious rail project, to extend the Caltrain commuter rail line to the SalesForce Transit Center.

Federal Subpoenas for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Bad news for Honolulu's troubled rail transit project: new federal scrutiny and a potential criminal investigation.

L.A. Collects Green Bonafides By Canceling Plans for Natural Gas Power
The bell tolls for the Scattergood, Harbor, and Haynes power plants, after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti promises a transition to renewable energy. The city was going to spend $5 billion to transition to natural gas.

Friday Funny: Pity the Fool Who Doesn't Yield to a Law-Abiding Pedestrian
A satirical article published by The Onion tells a familiar tale.

High-Speed Rail Not the Only Massive Public Works Project on the Chopping Block
California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to reduce the size of the $17 billion WaterFix project that plans for two tunnels under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.

What Infrastructure Crisis?
Interstate highways are actually improving, according to a recent analysis. What if the infrastructure crisis is a matter of perspective, and not some universal truth?

Washington Ferry Ridership Continues to Grow
The state's ferry system has seen ridership increases year after year, and a new plan outlines the long-range measures needed to keep up with the growth.
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