- President Biden touted climate-change measures like converting to electric vehicles while also admitting the U.S. will be dependent on oil for "at least another decade" during his State of the Union address. (The Hill) He also announced that all construction materials used in federally funded infrastructure projects must be made in the U.S. (CNBC)
- Ezra Klein at the New York Times ponders why American construction is getting less efficient. Most of the problems are bureaucratic or political, according to an NYU study on why U.S. transit projects cost more than other countries,' creating rising costs and long timelines that frustrate the public and sap support for these generally popular projects. (Transit Costs Project)
- Transit riders are frustrated by "ghost buses" that show up on their apps but never arrive. (Pew Stateline)
- I-794 bulldozed through a vibrant Black Milwaukee community in the 1960s, and the easy access to downtown via car spurred white residents to flee to the suburbs. Now activists want the freeway taken down. (Fast Company)
- It has lots of attractions but doesn't really connect anything, so "America's Main Street" of Pennsylvania Avenue is a strong candidate for D.C. to start experimenting with closing streets to cars. (Greater Greater Washington)
- Benefits for Boston city employees now include Bluebike bike-share memberships. (Globe)
- A Houston developer is hoping to turn car-centric neighborhoods into walkable ones. (Greater Houston Partnership)
- An Arlington, Texas project will map sidewalk conditions in low-income neighborhoods as way to help residents access food and find safe routes to school. (KERA)
- Palm Beach, Florida residents are asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to cancel a plan to add bike lanes to A1A and widen a multiuse path. (Daily News)
- A Philadelphia high-school student writes about how biking is a necessity for her family. (Inquirer)
- New Orleans has a 1907 San Francisco streetcar tucked away in a barn, and yes, it's named "Desire." (Boing Boing)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Made in the USA
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Monday’s Headlines Induce Demand
$37 billion from the 2021 federal infrastructure law has gone to states for building new highways and widening existing ones.
Should States Like Texas Be Allowed to Grade Their Own Highway Homework?
A carveout in federal law grants seven states authority to conduct their own environmental assessments on transportation projects. Texas abuses that power, advocates say.
Friday’s Headlines Follow That Robocab!
Wired writes about a day in the life a self-driving Waymo taxi, and more in today's headlines.
Friday Video: What if We Let Bike Haters on Social Media Plan Our Cities?
Spoiler: nothing good!
California’s Federal Dollars Will Increase Emissions
In almost every state, federal funding on highway expansions far outstrips spending on transit, active transportation, electrification, and all other programs that aim to reduce emissions. And the Golden State is no exception.