Thursday’s Headlines Have a Deal
Here are the final figures on the Senate infrastructure agreement. Plus, rising traffic is dashing hopes of permanently reclaiming streets from cars.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on July 29, 2021
- A bipartisan group of senators have a deal on an infrastructure bill. The final numbers, according to NPR, are: $110 billion for roads and bridges, $11 billion for street safety, $39 billion for transit, $66 billion for rail and $7.5 billion for electric vehicle chargers.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has an opportunity to transform transit and, by doing so, strengthen the nation’s resiliency. (The Hill)
- If cities don’t spend their federal COVID windfall wisely, they shouldn’t expect such help again. Republicans are watching. (Governing)
- Hopes of permanently reclaiming streets for people and bikes after the pandemic are fading as traffic, car sales and car rentals are all on the rise. (New Republic)
- Traffic is up 55 percent over last year, and parking startups are cashing in. (Bloomberg)
- Denver’s Regional Transportation District is slated to upgrade the Colfax bus lines to bus rapid transit later this decade. (Denverite)
- San Diego advocates want the city to speed up safety projects after a recent rash of cyclist deaths. (KPBS)
- The Seattle city council voted to raise parking rates to $12 an hour during large events. (KING)
- Chapel Hill is exploring adding e-bikes to its bike-share service, as well as coordinating with the University of North Carolina. (INDY Week)
- Philadelphia transformed a trolley hub into an urban garden. (WHYY)
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’s Headlines Go North, Young Man
If you want to walk and bike safely, stay out of the South.
August 7, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: What Does It Cost to Build a Bus?
Lisa Jerram of APTA and Philip Plotch of the Eno Center for Transportation explain the state of bus manufacturing and why buses cost so much.
August 6, 2026
Report: Building More Homes Reduces Overall Driving
Building more homes will get cars off the road, but where they’re built matters.
August 6, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Cut Away
A U.S. Senate bill would result in the loss of $950 million in transit infrastructure funding.
August 6, 2026
State Lawmakers Aim At Illegal E-Motos, But Hit E-Bikes Instead
A deceptive and widespread marketing tactic has tricked families into purchasing dangerous e-motos and fooled lawmakers into pushing laws that would make streets even less safe.
August 5, 2026