Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Climate Change

Senators Propose $4 Billion for Transit-Oriented Development Grants

Making good on a vow first reported in Streetsblog Capitol Hill, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and three colleagues today offered a bill authorizing $4 billion in grants to help states and cities pursue transit-oriented development, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and other green transport projects.

dodd_working.jpgSenate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) (Photo: Washington Note)

The legislation aims to put some teeth in the goals of the inter-agency Sustainable Communities effort that the Obama administration launched earlier this year. Dodd's plan would create an office within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to spearhead the work and administer two new competitive grant programs.

The first, slated for $400 million over four years, would help states and cities implement regional plans that integrate sustainable housing, transportation, and community development.

The second, slated for $3.75 billion over three years, would assist localities in making their plans materialize, from affordable housing to bike-ped access. Both grant programs would need to be separately funded through appropriations bills, but authorizing the spending is a crucial first step.

The bill is co-sponsored by Banking panel Democrats Robert Menendez (NJ), Michael Bennet (CO), and Jeff Merkley (OR). Here is Dodd's statement on the measure:

Asour communities grow, people are commuting longer distances on more crowdedroadways. Those are precious hours theycould be spending with their families, and precious dollars wasted ongas. We must change the way we plan for the future of our communities andtackle these challenges with a coordinatedstrategy.

A House counterpart bill has yet to be introduced.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: An ‘Oh the Urbanity’/Streetfilms Montréal Mashup

Find out why the City of a Hundred Steeples is so magnifique.

September 12, 2025

Sharing Is Caring for Friday’s Headlines

Young adults are driving less, and that may have something to do with the rise of shared micromobility devices.

September 12, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: This Boat is Doing Something Amazing for Transit!

Could a simple sale of old train cars inspire a new generation of transit fans down in Lima, Peru? It's all part of a very special edition of our podcast.

September 11, 2025

In Trade Deal With Trump, Europe Sells Out its Pedestrians

The new trade deal between the European Union and the U.S. means that pedestrians from Lisbon to Helsinki will be endangered by big, American-made trucks.

September 11, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Are Day Trippers

It took me so long to find out one-way streets are bad, but I found out.

September 11, 2025

How Chicago Cyclists Are Protecting Immigrants During Trump’s ICE Crackdown

Bike riders are notifying residents who may be at risk of what Mayor Brandon Johnson recently called "militarized immigration enforcement without due process."

September 10, 2025
See all posts