U.S. DOT
Basics
Five Ex-Secretaries Map Out a Communications Strategy For Transportation
If 80 percent of the American people agree that federal infrastructure investment will create jobs, and two-thirds say better infrastructure is important, why is the call for a robust transportation bill being made in whispers? And why is Congress already two and a half years late in producing one?
April 24, 2012
HUD: Now’s the Time to Tell Congress Why Smart Planning Matters
I don’t know how many RSVPs a HUD conference call usually gets, but everyone seemed pretty floored that a stakeholder teleconference yesterday got upwards of 400. Officials said it was a testament to the popularity of HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities and the grant programs it runs together with EPA and U.S. DOT.
April 3, 2012
Advocates Defend New Haven’s “Downtown Crossing” Highway Removal Plan
Earlier this week we ran a story about why local livable streets advocates with the New Haven Urban Design League are disappointed with the city's decision to replace a section of grade-separated highway with a plan that remains, on balance, car-centric.
March 29, 2012
DOT Issues Voluntary Guidelines for Driver-Distracting Electronics Systems
Distracted driving has become one of the U.S. Department of Transportation's banner issues under secretary Ray LaHood's tenure, with agencies launching safety programs and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing the practice. Last week, LaHood stepped into new territory by recommending that cars be built to automatically disable potentially distracting electronic devices when in motion.
February 21, 2012
Now Open for Bids: The Fourth Round of TIGER Grants
Transportation leaders, take your best shot. Applications are being accepted for $500 million in federal funding through the fourth round of U.S. DOT's TIGER grants.
February 1, 2012
To GOP’s Dismay, DOT Funds Disaster Relief Without Gutting Other Programs
The U.S. DOT announced this morning that it’s allocating almost $1.6 billion for repairs to roads and bridges that were damaged in recent floods and storms. If House Republicans had gotten their way, this money would have come out of high-speed rail funds.
January 9, 2012
Midwest Rail Lives! Work Underway in Four States
Intercity rail dreams in the Midwest have certainly seen their share of setbacks -- with federal funds being returned in Ohio, Wisconsin and, more recently, Michigan. But all is far from lost.
January 5, 2012
Biking and Walking Score Big in TIGER III
In the third round of TIGER funding, the Obama administration has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to bike and pedestrian projects.
December 20, 2011
NTSB: States Should Ban Hands-Free Calls While Driving
In Missouri last year, a 19-year-old driving a pickup at 55 mph sent or received 11 texts in the 11 minutes immediately before he caused a deadly crash.
December 15, 2011
LaHood Defends High-Speed Rail Program At House Hearing
It's Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's birthday, and he's spending it testifying before the House Transportation Committee. The hearing is on "Mistakes & Lessons Learned" from the high-speed rail program, but -- no surprise here -- LaHood and House Republicans have differing ideas about what "mistakes" have been made.
December 6, 2011