The high and low points of America’s streets
We’re launching a series to both celebrate positive examples of ‘people-first’ streets – and to point out the most dangerous and unpleasant roads in our backyards.
Highways & infrastructure
What if we could build a future where cars, highways and outdated infrastructure don’t dominate our lives?
Which highway and infrastructure projects our government spends money on can shape our communities and have a direct impact on the quality of our lives. But far too often we are cut out of those decisions, or lack the information we need to make sure bad projects are stopped, and the right investments get made. Together we can make sure our leaders are making the right choices, and building a better future for all of us.
The Latest on Highways & infrastructure
Statement: Biden restores robust public and environmental review for infrastructure projects
Touring Houston’s Highways
Updates
Construction on a highway boondoggle in Virginia advances while Maryland considers alternate routes
Hogan proposal for I-270 and I-495 toll lanes hits another roadblock
Maryland DOT proposes to widen another highway
What You Can Do
Featured Resources
Highway Boondoggles
Less driving is possible
Montgomery County M-83 Midcounty Highway Extended, Maryland
Green Scissors
The Latest
Congress Takes Big Step Toward 21st Century Transportation in Stimulus
In a bold and far-sighted move, Congress added $9.3 billion in the American Reinvestment and Economic Recovery Act for development of high speed rail and other intercity rail. This amount was large increase from the Senate version of the bill and came on top of $8.4 designated for other public transit agencies.
States Shut Public Transportation Out of Stimulus Plan
According to a 16-state study released today by Maryland PIRG, President-elect Obama’s stated intention to use investment in infrastructure to improve the economy and reduce oil consumption could be undermined if states spend transportation stimulus funds the way they have suggested in wish lists to Congress. The wish lists dramatically favor new highway projects over road & bridge repair and transit projects.
squandering the stimulus
Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas. According to new analysis from the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, since President Bush signed the tax rebates into law on February 13th, the average household spent over $1500 filling their tanks. Gas costs were higher than average in areas without robust public transportation.
Local Leaders Cite New Report as Boosting MARC Expansion, Red Line
The MARC expansion and Red Line received a boost today as city officials and civic leaders held an event at Baltimore’s Penn Station calling for approval of financing and citing a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation across the country.
Traffic congestions badly hurts baltimore area
Commuters in the Baltimore area wasted 30 million hours of additional time on the roads, and 19 million gallons of additional gas as a result of traffic congestion in 2005. The additional wasted time and fuel cost the public an equivalent of $426 million, according to the federally sponsored Urban Mobility Report released today by the Texas Transportation Institute. The findings underscore the need for additional transit in the region.