Wednesday’s Headlines Missed Connection

The Biden administration is spending billions to reconnect neighborhoods torn apart by urban freeways. But the projects seem to simply paper over the problem, Governing reports.

By Blake Aued

12:17 AM EDT on March 27, 2024

Famartin|

A federal grant will pay to merely cap Philadelphia’s Vine Street Expressway rather than get rid of it.

The federal government recently awarded $3.3 billion in grants to dozens of communities to repair the scars created by urban freeways. But more often they're Band-Aids like caps or pedestrian bridges, rather than demolishing the freeways. (Governing)
Boeing's recent woes like losing tires and even doors are making people more wary of flying, which could provide an opening for increased investment in high-speed rail. (Fast Company)
The average American car owner spends 20 percent of their income on transportation, and half cite the sky-high cost of driving as the reason why they can't save money. (Streetsblog USA)
Six road workers are believed dead after a container ship lost power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. (CNN, Washington Post)
Utah authorities say a 26-year-old man intentionally ran his car into six female pedestrian during four separate incidents, and have charged Anh Pham with attempted murder and other crimes. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Milwaukee residents who live near I-94 are uniting in opposition to widening the freeway. (Spectrum News)
A D.C. cyclists' group is gathering information on crashes and near-misses as traffic deaths in Washington mount. (George Washington Hatchet)
Project Connect leaders are eying 2027 to start construction on an Austin light rail line. (KXAN)
Intercity bus service Virginia Breeze could soon start running its first-ever east-west line through the state. (Mercury)
Pittsburgh bikeshare POGOH hit a record-breaking 1 million rides in 2023 and is proposing to nearly double the number of docking stations. (Pittsburgh Magazine)
MinnPost praises a downtown St. Paul plan for create more sidewalks, street-facing businesses and vibrant public spaces.
A Connecticut bill encouraging transit-oriented development cleared a key House committee. (CT Mirror)
The oldest bike shop in Cleveland, 141-year-old Fridrich Bicycle, is closing as the neighborhood gentrifies and more mom-and-pop retailers fall prey to Amazon. (Scene)