Thursday’s Headlines Won’t Pay For Themselves

The idea that transportation infrastructure should pay for itself is a conservative one, until it isn't.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on March 20, 2025

Photo: Hequals2Henry, CC|

Traffic is abundant on Houston’s Katy Freeway.

The idea that transportation infrastructure should pay for itself is a myth. Tolls funded the first U.S. roads, built by private entities, but it took a massive federal investment to build out the interstate highway system, and drivers only pay half the cost. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Conservatives used to support congestion pricing as a free-market solution to alleviating traffic, until President Trump decided to oppose it. (Planetizen)
After previously making threats about congestion pricing, the Trump Administration is now threatening to cut off funding for New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority over concerns about subway crime. (NY Times)
Nashville's WeGo is already ramping up bus service after voters passed the Choose How You Move transit referendum in November. (Banner, Post)
Knoxville is considering a Vision Zero plan. (News Sentinel)
Tampa-area transit agency HART says ridership is up 21 percent on a newly fare-free bus line. (ABC Action News)
A railroad company has again denied Milwaukee permission to buy a freight line for mass transit or a rail-trail. (Urban Milwaukee)
The Atlanta city council approved $6 million for downtown street safety projects. (11Alive)
St. Paul's Gold Line, the sixth bus rapid transit line in the Twin Cities, opened last weekend. (Minnesota Public Radio)
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's $6.7 billion proposed budget includes $5 million for Vision Zero and $5 million for strongly demanded bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets. Will that be enough for the city council? (Billy Penn)
Austin installed a new permeable sidewalk that's healthier for trees. (Monitor)
A developer wants to build a boutique hotel in Boulder on a city-owned parking lot. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Indianapolis residents hope a tactical urbanism project involving art-decorated barriers will slow down traffic in their neighborhood. (Mirror Indy)
A Michigan man got rid of his car and was able to save enough money to put a down payment on a house. (Realtor.com)
Momentum Mag has a March Madness-style competition for best and worst bike infrastructure.