- More takes are rolling in on President Biden's $2-trillion American Jobs Plan. Vox explains how the plan will cut carbon emissions by building up transit and EV infrastructure. But the investment falls short of what climate activists and other progressives wanted (Politico, The Urbanist). Meanwhile, Transportation for America notes the plan's "fix it first" philosophy and higher layout for rail and transit than highways, but says the devil's in the details. Streetsblog's Kea Wilson also wants more details and questions whether $174 million for electric vehicles will really do enough to prevent climate change, and what its impact will be on road safety. Yonah Freemark lays out in The Hill how he thinks the administration should fill in those details to maximize climate impact.
- Amtrak could add 30 new routes with its $80-billion share of funding (Washington Post). You may have seen the proposed map on Twitter.
- A vehicle-miles tax is probably inevitable. (Slate)
- The AARP gets behind Complete Streets.
- With details still sparse, the Philadelphia Inquirer lays out how the plan could help Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. One item that's reportedly a priority for Biden is the Gateway Tunnel, an Amtrak project under the Hudson River. (NJ.com)
- Ohio spends 40 times as much money on highways as it does on transit. (News 5 Cleveland)
- Boston is another city that's mulling going fare-free as a way to rebuild transit ridership. A pilot project offers participants a free MBTA pass worth $60 and unlimited free rides on the BlueBikes bike-share. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Even the Texas DOT is considering doing away with the 85th percentile rule, which sets speed limits at unsafe levels. (Farm and City)
- In case you missed it when we wrote about it, the Biden administration has paused the I-45 widening project in Houston over potential civil rights violations. (Politico)
- Kansas City leaders are opposed to a bill allowing guns on Missouri transit. (Fox 4).
- Five years ago, a Minneapolis man decided to ride his bike every day for 30 days, and he hasn’t stopped since. (Star-Tribune)
Streetsblog
Friday’s Headlines to Close Out a Big Week
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Thursday’s Headlines Ask for Privacy
Under the Elon Musk administration, private investment might be the only way forward for intercity rail, but it's not as if such ventures have it easy.
April 3, 2025
Duffy Delivers Mixed Messages on ‘Woke’ Transportation Funding Delays
The U.S. DOT secretary says he's drowning under a backlog of grants from the Biden administration — but somehow has time to uncover for its "woke" agenda.
April 2, 2025
Transportation Professionals Saw Elon Musk’s Lies and Disdain for the Public Firsthand
Just ask anyone in Chicago.
April 2, 2025
Wednesday’s Headlines Are on the Cutting Edge
Mr. Duffy goes to Washington to talk about ending spending for "green" and "equity" programs.
April 2, 2025
State DOTs Aren’t Stacking Up On Sustainability and Equity
Vermont is the best state DOT — but advocates say it, and every other state, needs to do better.
April 2, 2025
