Tuesday’s Headlines Are Coming ‘Round the Bend
Amtrak wants to bring passenger rail to 160 new cities in the next 15 years — if state governments are willing to play ball.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on July 18, 2023
- Amtrak’s 15-year, $75 billion expansion plan — most of which is already funded by the federal infrastructure bill — calls for creating 39 new lines and improving service on 25 others, the largest expansion in its 52-year history. But states will have to cooperate for the plan to reach its full potential. (City Lab)
- On the other hand, a Republican-led House subcommittee wants to cut $2.3 billion from the Federal Transit Administration and $1.6 billion from Amtrak. (Progressive Railroading; Streetsblog)
- The Federal Highway Administration has resolved most of a $3.5 billion accounting discrepancy. (Eno Center for Transportation)
- A new Utah express bus will be fare-free for the next three years. (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Utah is testing a system to tax drivers based on their driving habits rather than how much gas they consume. (Streetsblog USA)
- Maryland’s Purple Line has been delayed again, this time until 2027. (DCist)
- A Tacoma bus rapid transit line is five years behind schedule and $37 million over budget. (News Tribune)
- A North Philadelphia intersection and transit hub is getting a $7 million makeover, including bike lanes, bus-only lanes and new bus shelters. (WHYY)
- San Antonio is seeking input on a new bike network plan. (KENS)
- Denver residents are calling on mayor-elect Mike Johnston to get serious about Vision Zero (Colorado Politics) in a year where traffic deaths are projected to continue rising (Gazette).
- The Democrat-Gazette urges Northeast Arkansas residents and leaders to embrace Vision Zero.
- Crews are still repairing the Kansas City streetcar after the tracks buckled from the heat. (Star)
- Austin is asking for more staffers to help apply for federal light rail grants. (Monitor)
- New signs in Honolulu aim to shame drivers into stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks. (KITV)
- Right-wing candidates in Spain are running against bike lanes and low-emission zones where cars are restricted. (Reuters)
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:
More from Streetsblog USA
State Bill Would Stop Highway Expansions Near Vulnerable New Yorkers
Assembly Member Emerita Torres's Stop Highway Community Harm Act would ban the state from expanding highways within 200 feet of public housing or in ZIP codes with the highest asthma-related emergency room visits in the state.
April 3, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Keep Our Eyes on the Road, Our Hands Upon the Wheel
Going to the roadhouse in a self-driving car does not mean you're gonna have a real good time.
April 3, 2026
Friday Video: A Master List of All The Reasons Why Car Domination Sucks
Jason Slaughter catalogues the many harms of America's preferred transportation monoculture.
April 2, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Civil Rights, Civic Transport
Let's talk about "disparate impact" — and why the Trump administration wants to gut it.
April 2, 2026
Study: How Capping Vehicle Sizes Could Help Save the World
...and why a multi-pronged transportation reform strategy is critical to curb climate change, slash road deaths, and more.
April 2, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.