Ray LaHood Answers Your Questions in This Month’s “On The Go”

Last month, Streetsblog put the word out that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood would be fielding questions from readers. You submitted your questions. And today, the answers are in.

This is the second time LaHood’s office has reached out to Streetsblog readers for a Q&A in his monthly video segment, “On the Go.” Like last time, more answers will be published on the U.S. DOT blog, which we’ll also run here tomorrow morning.

In the video clip, LaHood gives updates on high-speed rail, the success of the TIGER grant program in promoting livable cities (including place like Dubuque, IA), and other issues raised by our readers.

Asked about major programs to promote pedestrian and bicyclist safety, LaHood touted U.S. DOT’s support for bike-share systems and rails-to-trails projects, but stopped short of forecasting what the future holds for such federal investments. The program often used to help fund bike-share systems, Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), is slated for something of an overhaul in the reauthorization process, and other important programs like Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements, and Recreational Trails face an uncertain future.

You can view the May edition of “On the Go” above, or read the companion post on DOT’s official blog, The Fast Lane.

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Ray LaHood Wants to Hear From Streetsblog Readers

|
Have a question for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood? He’s all ears. He has been doing a series of video chats where he responds to questions from the public. A DOT official told me they would like to “explicitly invite Streetsblog readers to submit their questions to the Secretary” for the next episode of “On the […]

Ray LaHood, Known Unknown

|
Ray LaHood, holding plaque, in 2004 with members of the League of Illinois Bicyclists Ray LaHood? Ray LaHood? That was the rippling reaction on the Streetsblog Network yesterday and early today as the news about Obama’s pick for Transportation Secretary sank in. "Say it ain’t so, Barack," was the headline on the brand-new blog WalkBike […]

Have a Question for Secretary LaHood? Ask It Here.

|
Last spring, Ray LaHood’s office approached Streetsblog seeking reader questions for the transportation secretary’s monthly video blog series, On the Go With Ray LaHood. His aides have repeatedly told me that of all the blogs and organizations that got a similar shot, Streetsblog readers were the most engaged and asked the most insightful questions. LaHood […]

VIDEO: LaHood Visits ‘The Daily Show’ to Talk Transportation

|
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Ray LaHood www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Jon Stewart on The Daily Show last night to talk about his department’s role in the stimulus debate, infrastructure modernization, and development of a U.S. high-speed […]

LaHood Answers GOP Critic, Soothes Dem Skeptic of Sustainability Budget

|
As Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood tangled with a senior GOP senator today over the White House’s $500 million-plus request for its inter-agency office of sustainable communities — a new project aimed at channeling federal energy towards local transit-oriented and smart growth plans — an influential Democrat joined her fellow senator in raising questions about diverting […]

Watch the LaHood Confirmation Hearing Online

|
At 2:00 p.m. the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will vet Obama’s choice for Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. Will they grill the former Illinois rep on his predilection for pork and ties to Caterpillar? Tune in to the live webcast to find out. Also on tap (tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.) — the House […]