Tuesday’s Headlines Are Just Asking Questions
On one hand, how good is this bipartisan infrastructure deal, exactly? On the other, it's a miracle Biden was able to cut any kind of deal at all.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on August 3, 2021
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is fast-tracking the 2,700-page infrastructure bill, calling for a vote within “a matter of days.” (Associated Press)
- Transit advocates say the $39 billion devoted to transit in the bill isn’t enough to address the many needs. (The Hill)
- Part of the reason it isn’t enough is that U.S. transit projects are the most expensive in the world despite generally being less complex than projects overseas, as recently documented by the Eno Center for Transportation.
- Critics of the final package’s relative lack of investment in transit and road safety say the fact that a deal was made has become more important than what’s in the deal. (Roll Call)
- Love it or hate it, President Biden was able to cut a deal without Mitch McConnell blocking it like he did with President Obama’s stimulus package. New York Magazine explains how.
- The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a Boston train crash that injured 25 people. (Boston 25)
- Dallas is embracing Vision Zero after it was dubbed it the most dangerous city for driving. Even if it’s just drivers looking out for their own self-interests, hey, if that’s what it takes … (Spectrum News)
- San Francisco is considering congestion pricing downtown. (Chronicle)
- The Federal Highway Administration released $1 million in emergency funds to help repair a pedestrian bridge damaged by a truck in Washington, D.C. (WTOP)
- San Diego’s popular trolley turned 40. (Union-Tribune)
- Canada is funding a high-speed, high-frequency rail line connecting Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. (Engineering News and Record)
- A study found that, in London, neighborhoods designated as low-traffic during the pandemic saw road injuries cut in half. (The Guardian)
- New U.K. laws give cyclists and pedestrians the right-of-way over drivers. (BBC)
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
Tuesday’s Headlines Say C’est la Vie to Equity
Racist transportation planning is perfectly OK with the Trump administration.
June 16, 2026
Safety Last: Under Trump, U.S. Roads Continue To Be ‘Dangerous By Design’
This is nothing to be proud of: Of the 20 most-deadly states in a 2022 report, 19 showed no signs of improvement or became even more dangerous.
June 16, 2026
New York Cyclists Struggle As Illegal Vehicles Flood City Streets
"Better street design" is not "some kind of mystery," says best friend of cyclist Dmytro Stechenko, who was killed in head-on collision with an illegal stand up scooter rider in the May 28 Queensboro Bridge crash.
June 16, 2026
The Bus Bench Revolution Wants You to Enlist — Here’s How
Not all heroes wear capes – some wear high-viz vests and safety goggles.
June 15, 2026
‘World Cup’ on the Podcast: Is LA Ready for the FIFA-Pocalypse?
In this special World Cup edition, SGV Connect talks with Foothill Transit about how transit agencies across Los Angeles County are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
June 15, 2026
