Infrastructure

Proposed design for Glendale-Hyperion Bridge

Bridge Redesign a Victory for Pedestrian, Cycling Advocates

In Los Angeles, months of agitation by pedestrian and bicycling advocates have finally paid off.

February 2, 2014 - LA Streetsblog

Tax and Borrow Plan Advanced by Delaware Gov. Markell to Fund Transportation

The 10-cent gas tax hike the governor proposed would only meet Delaware's transportation needs half-way. Gov. Markell also endorsed borrowing $50 million a year, matching the additional gas tax revenues. Combined, DelDot's debt load would be reduced.

February 2, 2014 - Smyrna-Clayton Sun-Times

Bringing Caltrans Into The 21st Century

Can the nation's largest state department of transportation, long oriented to building highways and fighting congestion, be brought into the modern, multi-modal era? The State Smart Transportation Initiative's report for Caltrans may do just that.

February 1, 2014 - The Sacramento Bee

P3 to Repair 500 Bridges in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania P3 Act was approved in 2012 to help fund the cost of repairing and maintaining the state’s structurally deficient bridges. PennDOT has recently expanded its goals for the program—to 500 bridge repair projects.

January 31, 2014 - Governing

What Can Ancient Cities Teach Modern Urbanites?

These 15 ancient cities can help modern urbanites plan more efficient and sustainable municipalities.

January 30, 2014 - Future Cities

State of the Union Notable for What Wasn't Addressed

In prior State of the Unions, President Obama has put forth bold plans for building high-speed rail, tackling climate change and transitioning to alternative energy sources. Facing an obstinate Congress, he outlined a more modest agenda last night.

January 29, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Atlanta's "Rush Hour From Hell" Enters Second Day

Drivers are still trapped on Atlanta area roadways and students are still stranded at schools nearly 24 hours after a winter storm paralyzed the city.

January 29, 2014 - The New York Times

More Funding for Philly’s Urban Watershed Efforts

With the "Green City, Clean Waters" initiative already underway, a recent grant from the U.S. EPA will help Philadelphia evaluate best practices for building and maintaing its urban watershed.

January 28, 2014 - Triple Pundit

New York's Rooftop Water Tanks Hide Unhealthy Conditions

A New York Times examination of the conditions of the city’s ubiquitous water tanks reveals unhealthy levels of E. coli and coliform—bellwethers for many varieties of disease-causing microorganisms.

January 28, 2014 - New York Times

Us High Speed Rail System

Public Sets Low Priority for Improving Transportation Infrastructure

A new survey of the American people from the Pew Research Center ranks the priorities of the public on matters like the deficit, healthcare, and crime. Bringing up the rear of public concern: infrastructure and global warming.

January 27, 2014 - Pew Research Center

More Bad News for Columbia River Crossing Bridge Project

The beleaguered project, which already lost funding support from the state of Washington, is likely off the table in Oregon, according to reports. The project’s failure sends a bad signal about the political reality of replacing unsafe bridges.

January 27, 2014 - The Oregonian

Report: Caltrans Systematically Quelled Bay Bridge Safety Concerns

Instagram images and group bike rides now celebrate the Bay Bridge’s eastern span, but the bridge’s long construction process was a constant source of concern. A new report details what went wrong to (hopefully) prevent future mistakes.

January 25, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Investor Skepticism Shrinks Infrastructure Trust's First Project

21 months after Chicago's Infrastructure Trust was launched by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the program finally has its first approved project. After delays and substantial downsizing, Bank of America will invest $13 million in energy efficiency improvements.

January 23, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Pedestrian Infrastructure in LA Neighborhood a Study in Contrasts

In Los Angeles’s Boyle Heights neighborhood, some locals are benefiting from public-space improvements as part of the Eastside Access project. But many nearby streets and sidewalks are sorely neglected.

January 22, 2014 - LA Streetsblog

With Bertha Stuck in the Mud, Officials Question Contractor Conduct

Though Seattle's giant tunneling machine remains stuck 60 feet under South Main Street, muck is starting to be flung above the surface. An email from Washington's Transportation Secretary reveals concerns over the conduct of the machine's operators.

January 21, 2014 - The Seattle Times

Bike-Share Operator Bixi Files for Bankruptcy

With debts in excess of $30 million owed to the city of Montreal, and unhappy customers in New York City and Chicago refusing to pay for outstanding bills, the Bixi bike-share company has been forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

January 21, 2014 - The Montreal Gazette

Ca73

Urban Road-Building Linked to Poor Statewide Economic Performance

Besides wasting billions of taxpayer dollars, road-building may actually be holding back economic growth overall.

January 20, 2014 - Shane Phillips

Los Angeles Planning Its First Roundabout

Traffic engineers in the Los Angeles Department of Transportation are finalizing plans for a roundabout in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights at a notorious intersection known as Cinco Puntos.

January 19, 2014 - The Eastsider LA

FLV California train

California High Speed Rail Project Threatened with Loss of Federal Funding

On Wednesday, backers of California's embattled $68 HSR project were grilled by the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), who wants to kill it.

January 17, 2014 - The Fresno Bee

Water Rationing Begins in Parched California Communities (Updated)

As California faces its third dry year in a row, following the driest year in the state's recorded history, communities are facing the prospect of water rationing. However, some of the state's largest cities have been spared for the time being.

January 17, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.