Tuesday’s Headlines Pay High Prices for Highway Repairs
If the U.S. didn't spend so much money on repaving roads, there might be more left over for other things, like transit.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on October 28, 2025
- Even repaving roads is ungodly expensive, let alone building new ones. But it doesn’t have to be that way, according to one Yale professor. The bottom line: Hire good engineers and pay them a lot of money. (CityLab)
- The New York Times is skeptical of Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free and faster buses — mostly the fast part. As Streetsblog NYC pointed out, the real problem, as usual, is cars.
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit is pushing back bus purchases and maintenance projects to cover a $107 million operating shortfall and avoid service cuts or fare hikes. (WESA)
- Michigan, the home of Motor City, is re-embracing fossil fuels by charging electric vehicle owners the highest fees in the nation. (Jalopnik)
- In the hot Nevada desert, walking to the grocery store can be deadly for those without access to cars or transit. (Nevada Today)
- North Carolina’s Durham County is now looking to bus rapid transit after failed efforts to build light rail. (Raleigh News & Observer; paywall)
- Testing has started on the Minneapolis Green Line extension. (Minnesota Public Radio)
- A bike lane on Summit Avenue has turned into a key issue in the St. Paul mayor’s race. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- With state and federal transit funding uncertain, Charlotte should invest in its own future. (Post)
- The Philadelphia city council voted to move forward with Spruce and Pine street bike lanes while keeping loading zones in place. (CBS News)
- Seattle opened a new bike trail along Marginal Way. (MyNorthwest)
- A new bike advocacy group has formed in East Lansing, Michigan. (Info)
- The Rhode Island DOT is planning a road diet on Willet Avenue in East Providence. (Turn to 10)
- A new pathway connecting Kansas City’s art institutions opens next week. (KC Studio)
- Ever want to build your own subway system, “Sim City”-style? Here’s your chance. (Fast Company)
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
Where the Hottest Blocks in Your City Are — And How To Cool Them Down
A cutting-edge tool is helping city leaders identify where they most badly need street trees, bus shelters, and more.
April 15, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Hop on Board Carefully
Riding the bus is safe. Walking to and from the bus stop, not so much.
April 15, 2026
Ask An Insurance Industry Insider: Safe Streets Are The Best Way To Bring Down Insurance Costs
Insurance companies and personal injury lawyers exist because streets aren't safe. So shouldn't we start there instead of tweaking a broken system?
April 15, 2026
What If All Cars Were Autonomous, Electric, and Free?
Can we really solve the problems of car dominance just by making cars less destructive?
April 14, 2026
“Why Do We Do This Bill?”: Preparing Congressional Staff for Surface Transportation Reauthorization
A top advocacy organization is preparing Congress to take a critical look at the upcoming transportation reauthorization — and it's not easy.
April 14, 2026