- The Biden administration awarded 45 grants totaling $185 million for communities to develop plans for mitigating the damage of highways (Washington Post). Meanwhile, a committee in the California legislature is also considering ways to reconnect neighborhoods split by highways (CalMatters).
- Carbon emissions from SUVs rose to nearly 1 billion tons last year as sales of the gas-guzzling vehicles soared. That's as much carbon as the United Kingdom and Germany produce combined. (The Guardian)
- The U.S. pedestrian death rate rose nine times faster than the population during the COVID pandemic. (Streetsblog)
- Amtrak is popular among people making shorter trips like Memphis to New Orleans, particularly in the Southeast, fueling efforts to expand service. (Trains)
- On-demand transit is becoming more important in rural areas as the population ages. (KCUR)
- Uber is more likely to deactivate drivers' accounts after complaints if those drivers are people of color or immigrants. (Wired)
- Bay Area Rapid Transit and other agencies around the country are spending the last of their emergency COVID funding and staring down a fiscal cliff. (Governing)
- Several groups combined forces to upend the status quo and keep San Francisco's JFK Promenade closed to cars. (CNU Public Square)
- A review of Seattle's not-very-successful Vision Zero program suggests doing more of the same. (Public Cola)
- The Portland Bureau of Transportation is offering carless downtown travelers free coffee and gift cards to encourage walking, biking and taking transit. (Bike Portland)
- Hawaii legislators want to spend an extra $50 million on street safety this year. (Civil Beat)
- A Nebraska state senator wants to extend the Omaha streetcar before it's even built. (WOWT)
- France is investing 100 billion euros in rail through 2040, mainly on express commuter trains in cities outside Paris. (Reuters)
Streetsblog
Thursday’s Headlines Are Reconnecting
By Blake Aued
The Claiborne Avenue Expressway. Photo: CNU, CC
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Year in Review: What Gave Us Hope in a Dark 2025
Yes, this year was tough. Yes: we're still ending it with hope for the future.
December 27, 2025
Streetsblog Joins Campaign for Public Financing of Non-Profit Media
New York provides tax credits to for-profit newsrooms. Now, non-profit digital outlets, public broadcasters and public access channels are seeking equal treatment. Doing so would strengthen our democracy.
Opinion: Why Urbanists Should Support Plant-Forward Policies
Your plate is political, just like your choice to pedal instead of drive. And often, transportation and food politics have powerful intersections.
December 26, 2025
Thursday’s Headlines: Merry Christmas Edition
We're off today, and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025
Don’t Believe the Hype: NJ Turnpike Widening Still Happening
Gov. Murphy's late revision will just move the problem around, advocates say.
Opinion: Can AI Help Stop Car Crashes Before They Happen?
Proactive safety planning can save more lives than waiting until after crashes kill. But what's the proper role of technology in identifying future hot spots?
December 24, 2025
