All Aboard Tuesday’s Headlines
From brand-new train cars to better service on the coasts and in the Upper Midwest, Amtrak is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to federal infrastructure spending.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on November 14, 2023
- Even if high-speed rail is still a ways off, the federal infrastructure bill is already paying dividends for Amtrak in the form of modern train cars and expanded service. (Fast Company)
- A House GOP funding bill failed after Northeastern Republicans refused to support Amtrak cuts. (Route Fifty)
- Narrower traffic lanes don’t cause car crashes and are safer for everyone because they force drivers to act cautiously, according to a Johns Hopkins University study. (CNU Public Square, Streetsblog USA)
- Researchers and regulators are finally starting to pay attention to the pollution caused by harmful particles rubbing off from tires. (Slate)
- NBA player Kelly Oubre of the Sixers was hospitalized after being struck by a hit-and-run driver — not just “a car”, as was widely rreported — while walking in Philadelphia (ABC 6). The vehicle’s side-view mirror reportedly struck the 6-foot-7 Oubre in the chest.
- Transportation writer David Zipper called this NBC DFW investigation into Dallas’ epidemic of road deaths (for which he was interviewed) the best series on the subject he’s ever seen.
- Austin is starting the process of designing caps over I-35. (Monitor)
- Hartford has similar plans to cap I-84. (CT Insider)
- Cambridge was the first city in the U.S. to mandate bike lanes as part of all road projects, but after last week’s local election, that policy may be in jeopardy. (WGBH)
- Philadelphia will make permanent a pilot project that used AI-powered cameras to catch drivers who park at bus stops or block bus lanes. (WHYY)
- A proposed east-west streetcar in Kansas City would include 16 stops. (Star)
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published pro and con opinions about light rail on the Beltline.
- Nashville planners are working on providing safe routes through the Music City’s chaotic downtown. (Scene)
- The Albuquerque city council voted to make its zero-fare policy permanent. (KRQE)
- Buskers are filling Seattle’s light rail stations with holiday cheer. (KIRO)
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
Friday’s Headlines Do Things Backwards
The best cities have street grids with small blocks, but in recent decades cities have ceded the important responsibility of designing streets to private developers.
October 2, 2026
Op-Ed: How Urban Planning Can Succeed in America
Urban planners should study successful experiments throughout the country.
October 2, 2026
Friday Video: Fine, We’ll Talk about the E-Bike Episode on South Park
The fictional Colorado town has ample parking day or night... and the same issues with deadly e-motos getting confused for e-bikes as the rest of the country, apparently.
October 2, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Architecture’s Role in Population Decline
Good design is great, but if you can't afford it, you can't have babies. A very special edition of the podcast.
October 1, 2026
Steal This Idea: ‘Emergency Streets’ Strategy Gets First Real-World Pilot
The city of Spokane moved quickly to close a lane at the site where an 18-year-old motorcyclist died in a single-vehicle collision just a few days prior.
October 1, 2026
