Monday’s Headlines Keep Rising Forever

...but the number of miles people drive might not, despite predictions to the contrary — unless planners make those predictions come true by building more lanes.

By Blake Aued

1:01 AM EDT on September 30, 2024

Photo: Hequals2Henry, CC|

Houston’s Katy Freeway is 26 lanes wide in places and could get even wider.

Projections assuming that motorists will keep driving more and more miles can become self-fulfilling prophecies when transportation planners try to accommodate the demand rather than working to reduce it. (Planetizen)
A new Federal Transit Administration directive requires transit agencies to do something about assaults against their employees. (Trains)
It's not true that Kamala Harris is busing supporters to rallies to artificially boost attendance. (Reuters)
A New York judge ruled that a legal effort to revive congestion pricing can proceed. (NY Times)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill strengthening Caltrans' complete streets policy. (CalBikes, Streetsblog CAL)
If voters repeal Washington state's landmark climate law this fall, it would be a huge blow for transit funding. (The Urbanist)
A long-range plan for Twin Cities Metro Transit would shift money away from express buses for downtown commuters and toward serving people who wish to live a car-free lifestyle. (streets.mn)
The GoTriangle CEO who was brought on to guide a North Carolina light rail project is leaving because the feds have made clear they won't fund the project, essentially killing it. (Raleigh News & Observer)
Detroit is reshaping Gratiot Avenue, a major thoroughfare where drivers have hit 100 pedestrians and killed 38 people in the past four years. (Michigan Chronicle)
Next year Colorado legislators will consider a fee on cars and light trucks to fund bike lanes and other safety improvements for non-drivers. (Newsline)
College Park has a plan to expand bike lanes around the University of Maryland. (DC News Now)
A Milwaukee "art car" covered in traffic cones that was designed to draw attention to reckless driving broke down a month after its launch. (Journal-Sentinel)