Monday’s Headlines From Around the Nation
There is likely going to be a lot more driving after this is all over. Plus the rest of the news — just one click away.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on April 27, 2020
- Automakers are hoping that a newly germaphobic public will stop riding transit and buy cars instead (Bloomberg). But several studies have shown that motorists are more likely to spread coronavirus than subway riders (Planetizen). And transit remains a lifeline for essential workers and older people who must venture out for food and medicine (World Economic Forum). The coronavirus pandemic has shown how important transit systems are, as well as the need for stable sources of revenue, infrastructure investments and modernized fleets (The City Fix).
- The Week examines three scenarios for post-pandemic traffic: it stays low, returns to normal or gets even worse.
- Joe Biden wants a $1-trillion green infrastructure stimulus bill that would fund light rail and half a million electric vehicle chargers. (Politico)
- Bike lanes boost businesses, according to a new Portland State University study. Researchers looked at 14 corridors in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Memphis, Minneapolis and Indianapolis, and found that bike lanes had a neutral or positive economic impact, especially on retailers and restaurants.
- Washington, D.C. is putting concrete barriers in streets to expand sidewalks, and residents are clamoring for more (WAMU). In New York City, though, the sidewalks are too narrow for social distancing (Curbed, Streetsblog).
- Charlotte’s transit agency plans to restore cut routes and reinstate fares once Gov. Roy Cooper lifts North Carolina’s stay-at-home order. (Plan Charlotte)
- Philadelphia’s Indego bike-share turns 5 (WHYY) and Indianapolis’s Pacers bike-share celebrates its sixth anniversary (Fox 59).
- Sao Paulo is spending almost $11 billion to expand its bus and rail system. (International Railway Journal)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Sen. Ed Markey Says Democrats ‘Have to Fight Harder’
StreetsblogMASS rode the bus from Malden to Chelsea with Sen. Ed Markey to talk federal transportation policy and this fall's elections.
August 28, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Are Cruisin’ in My ’64
Breaking news: Driving is fun, but expensive and dangerous.
August 28, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Measuring the Pulse of Urban Development
This week on the Talking Headways podcast, we’re joined by Karen Seto at Yale University and Zhe Zhu at the University of Connecticut to talk about their new study, The Urban Pulse.
August 27, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Are Living for the City
Suburban retail models are making cities less walkable, while climate change is doing the same in the suburbs.
August 27, 2026
NYC Mayor Doubles Down On Robert Moses’s Great Mistake And Will Rebuild An Urban Highway
Mayor Mamdani wants to build a temporary bypass road to allow for a 10-year, $4-billion rebuild of the BQE triple-cantilever.
August 27, 2026