Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Post

After attending UCLA and spending years struggling to live car-free in the city, I am thrilled by City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Metro's investment in expanding transit; however, it begs the question of whether the ridership demand is actually there. On top of the fact that Angelenos love their cars as much as their local taco truck (mine is El Chato), many of the metro/light rail lines run through sprawling areas that are industrial or low in density. As a result, current ridership is sparse and inadequate for sustaining Metro service long-term. It seems that LA is banking on the fact that development (and residents/riders) will follow once these transit routes are more established. So, for all my movie buffs, the question is: If you build it, will they come? The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2023 as well as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's and U.S. Department of Transportation's commercial-to-residential conversion efforts will make it easier for developments to pop-up where transportation already exists, especially in areas where there are commercial corridors like here in LA. This act will prioritize and award more Federal Transit Administration funding to projects that adopt pro-housing policies like zoning for density/apartments and eliminating parking requirements. This bill must pass Congress first, and even then, it will be uncertain as to how effective these efforts will be. I'm optimistic, and I dream of the day when LA can be more livable car-free! #transportation #transitorienteddevelopment

"The proposed law (A4120/S1981) would establish a goal of 20-percent fewer vehicle miles traveled, or VMT, over the next 25 years, following the lead of other states like Minnesota and Colorado, which has helped agencies in both states out west free up more of their transportation dollars for transit projects, and bike and pedestrian spaces, the letter notes. 'In real terms, this means both departments factor in miles traveled by cars into infrastructure decisions and prioritize investments that reduce single occupancy vehicle mileage,' reads the letter. 'This means projects that expanded cycling infrastructure, pedestrian walkways, and public transit were prioritized over outdated highway expansions and lane widening.'" https://lnkd.in/e-5N5NKQ

"Why would we keep destroying our city and our planet when we know how to create better and greener ways for people to get around," asks Inga Saffron. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)'s approach to rebuilding the Philadelphia portions of I-95 solely as a highway project is being called into question amidst the growing climate crisis. Urgency is mounting, demanding a shift in perspective to view I-95 as part of a broader transportation network. It's critical for PennDOT to explore strategies that steer drivers away from I-95 and towards public transit options. Supporting Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the best way to fight congestion, not expanding highways (e.g., "induced demand"). C: 5th Square , Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Useful tips. Thanks for sharing K The need for passenger rail is growing every day. Increase utilization of rail passenger service will: enhance economic development for Rural, Tribal and Urban communities, improve road safety and provide a healthier climate for future generations. Tracks are back!!

"Why would we keep destroying our city and our planet when we know how to create better and greener ways for people to get around," asks Inga Saffron. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)'s approach to rebuilding the Philadelphia portions of I-95 solely as a highway project is being called into question amidst the growing climate crisis. Urgency is mounting, demanding a shift in perspective to view I-95 as part of a broader transportation network. It's critical for PennDOT to explore strategies that steer drivers away from I-95 and towards public transit options. Supporting Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the best way to fight congestion, not expanding highways (e.g., "induced demand").

In this Newcity article by Mary Wisniewski I join State Rep. Kam Buckner, Jim Merrell of Active Transportation Alliance and Micheál Podgers of Better Streets Chicago in asking Illinois Department of Transportation to honor the promise of the 10-year process behind “Redefine the Drive” and remake North DuSable Lake Shore Drive into a boulevard for all Chicagoans. The current proposal harms public health, climate and equity goals by denying dedicated Chicago Transit Authority bus lanes, limiting pedestrian access, and encouraging high car speeds leading to deadly crashes. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acknowledge and correct the mistakes we made in the past and show the world that the City of Chicago is a global metro for the 21st century: let’s not squander it. 🌊🚶♂️🌳 🚍 🚘 🌳 🚴♀️🚶♂️ 🌳 #transportation #traffic #equity #urbanplanning #transit #pedestrian

“The systemic problem is that we keep building cities for cars first—that’s what drives the whole thing,” says Roberto Requejo, a transit advocate and CTA Board member. “I think it’s a good moment to stop and reflect before we go any further. Are we building for the Chicago of fifty years from now or for the Chicago of fifty years ago?” This quote sums up the core issue here. Major infrastructure projects like this must be future oriented. The new way to build is toward multi-modal approaches that prioritize pedestrians, bikes, and public transit and this way is only going to continue and grow stronger. The cities that shape themselves toward it are the cities that will flourish going forward.

I found an interesting article on freeway history in Maricopa County, Arizona. Please see link below: https://lnkd.in/gTacP5Mg Multi-modal transportation systems are vital and freeways are one of several critical systems to continue funding. Vote yes on Proposition 479. When compared to a 2050 no-build scenario, the transportation improvements included in the Prop 479 investment plan are projected to: +Reduce the average afternoon commute by 1/3 and reduce congestion by 51,000 hours on critical freight corridors each day. +Increase the number of amenities within a 30-minute drive by 12 percent. +Create $2.4 billion in net new economic activity per year. +Save local businesses $1.6 billion per year in travel time savings and reduced shipping/logistics costs. +Create and support 31,600 jobs per year, more than 70 percent of which are medium and high wage. https://azmag.gov/Prop479

A massive project to rebuild and widen Interstate 77 between uptown and South Carolina is becoming even more expensive — perhaps making it more likely the state will turn to a private developer to build and manage it. The NCDOT has long planned to add two state-operated express toll lanes in each direction from uptown Charlotte to the state line. But because the highway runs through the heart of the state’s largest city, widening it from six lanes to 10 will be costly. Every bridge over I-77 would likely have to be torn down and rebuilt. And almost the entire 12 miles of the highway would need to be redone because of the topography; steep drop-offs next to much of the highway would require adjust the elevation of the adjacent land. Find out if and how this $3 billion project - likely the state’s most expensive highway project ever - might realistically get done. 📷 Photo from Google Street View Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e89Rc9Kc #thecharlotteledger #transittime #cltledger #WFAEWFAE

Florida Department of Transportation has devised four ideas to create a corridor crossing I-4 that will connect Walt Williams Road and SR 33. It is said that these two roads are challenging to head in the other direction, and creating a road that connects the two will make a less lengthy, out-of-the-way option for travelers. #trafficengineering #transportationengineering