Streetsblog

Monday’s Headlines Have Big Plans

Lots of good stuff in a new American Planning Association transportation report. Plus, critics might be underrating Democrats' climate bill, although there's more left to be done.

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EDT on August 15, 2022

Image: Px Here, CC

The American Planning Association released a new annual report on the state of transportation planning, with a foreword by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and sections on the pandemic, equity, technology and multimodal mobility.
Democrats’ climate bill passed the House, although activists are unhappy with its scope (New York Times). The Inflation Reduction Act does open up more federal lands to oil and gas drilling, but that probably won’t be as disastrous for the climate as some critics predict (Slate).
If Republicans take control of Congress this fall, they’re likely to redirect infrastructure spending for transit to roads instead. (New York Daily News)
The Biden administration awarded $49 million in grants for innovative mobility technology (Intelligent Transport). One project involves bundling emissions credits for, say, taking the bus instead of driving, and selling them (Washington Post).
The Federal Transit Administration has approved two plans for safety improvements at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, but wants revisions on two others (Boston Herald). Meanwhile, with the Orange Line about to shut down Friday (WHDH), Mayor Michelle Wu is offering commuters free bike-share passes (25 News).
Montgomery County Democrats are hoping the Biden administration will delay a decision on widening two Maryland freeways until Republican Gov. Larry Hogan leaves office. (The Daily Record)
A Milwaukee streetcar extension didn’t make the cut for the federal RAISE grants announced last week. (Urban Milwaukee)
Bucking the overall transit trend, ridership is surging on one Salt Lake City streetcar. (Deseret News)
Drivers are actually doing a pretty good job of navigating Portland’s new “advisory” bike lanes. (Bike Portland)
Frustrated Macon officials met with the Georgia DOT about its refusal to make improvements on a state highway several pedestrians have been killed crossing. (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Durham residents are pushing for safer streets after a driver killed a father out riding bikes with his family. (Spectrum News)
A Toronto police officer who was out ticketing cyclists hit a cyclist with his SUV. (Bicycling)

Blake Aued

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.

Streetsblog

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

When the Battles Against Harmful Highways and Hyper-Scale Data Centers Collide

Hyperscale AI data centers and highways are both harmful forms of fossil fuel infrastructure that get built without much community input — and it's time to fight back against both, one of our favorite podcasters argues.