Reconnecting America CEO Calls For Bold New Agenda For Small-Town America
John Robert Smith tells Senate panel safe, strong and efficient transportation systems in small towns and rural areas are needed to grow economy and pursue the American Dream
As the Senate continues to develop a revitalized, long-term federal transportation program, Reconnecting America CEO John Robert Smith called on senators to support a bold new agenda for rural transportation that would spur economic development in small towns and cities across the United States.
(March 18, 2010)
- John Robert Smith's written testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works · PDF
- Whitepaper: Principles for Improving Transportation Options in Rural and Small Town Communities · PDF
- John Robert Smith's oral testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works · PDF
Chicago: Build New HSR Hub Near Post Office
Chicago Journal
In the future envisioned for high-speed rail transportation, Chicago is seen as the hub of a Midwest network, the place through which all other trains must pass on their way to and from a cluster of satellite cities....
(March 18, 2010)
Toronto: Mayoral Candidate Wants Tolls for Transit
Globe and Mail
Mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson waded into the politically treacherous waters of toll roads in unveiling her transit platform on Wednesday.
Most other candidates were quick to dismiss her proposal, which would place a $5 toll on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to pay for an expanded subway system....
Most other candidates were quick to dismiss her proposal, which would place a $5 toll on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to pay for an expanded subway system....
(March 18, 2010)
Pittsburgh: Cities Embracing Sustainability
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
With its abundant LEED-certified buildings, its superlative green wall, its fledgling biofuel companies, its transmogrified riverfronts and reclaimed brownfields, Pittsburgh wants to be known as a city where sustainability is taken seriously....
(March 17, 2010)
Blogosphere: Strategic Mobility Plan a Way Forward
Austin Chronicle
The city is poised to plunge into the rail-transit business - with its central-city circulator Austin Urban Rail project - yet has barely dipped a toe into the transit-oriented development business. Transit-successful cities (e.g., Portland, Ore.) fund streetcars with tax-increment financing - bonds gradually paid off from the stream of increased property taxes that streetcar lines help create...
(March 11, 2010)
Utah: We Need Transit Oriented Communities
Standard Examiner
The Wasatch Front Regional Council estimates that the Top of Utah will see a 60 percent population increase over the next 30 years. Unfortunately, we're not a public transportation-oriented community in Utah. It's clear that we have to make some strides toward using public transit. If we don't, our freeways won't be able to handle the traffic flow. Add the resulting increase in pollution and we've got a big problem....
(March 11, 2010)
San Jose: Milpitas Votes Stop Location, Development
San Jose Mercury News
City officials last week supported Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's vision of greater development at Milpitas' future Bay Area Rapid Transit station site at the southeast corner of Capitol Avenue and Montague Expressway...
(March 11, 2010)
Quote of the Day
Oregonian
"Of course, if I pull in and see a TriMet shuttle bus waiting for me, I just drive to work."
(March 9, 2010)
Blogosphere: Local Lesson in Transit Orientation
NRDC Switchboard
Several weeks ago, I ran a post making the case that transit-oriented development requires more than just transit and development. As the phrase implies, it also requires orientation: the development must relate to and be convenient to the transit....
(March 9, 2010)
Dallas: Grapevine Officials Focus on TOD
Fort Worth Star Telegram
How do you plan for $50 million in development around a facility that is yet to be designed? And, how do you make a building in a modern, regional transit system mesh with existing structures in a carefully preserved historic district?...
(March 4, 2010)
