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Wednesday’s Headlines Paved Paradise

Asphalt everywhere is the future President Biden wants. Plus, how much benefit will Black neighborhoods see from the infrastructure act?

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EST on February 23, 2022

Image by Miroslav M. from Pixabay

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The asphalt industry is the infrastructure act’s big winner. It’s set to receive a major share of the $369 billion set aside for roads, bridges and tunnels. Asphalt production itself emits pollutants, not to mention enabling more driving on wider roads. (New York Times)
Even when freeway revolts are successful, the planning alone can scar neighborhoods and leave marks on residents’ psyches. (Los Angeles Times)
A climate justice screening tool to identify communities unfairly impacted by environmental hazards excludes race in hopes of avoiding a lawsuit, even though race is a major component. (NBC News)
Black leaders in Milwaukee are skeptical underserved neighborhoods will see any benefit from federal infrastructure spending. (WTMJ)
Amtrak is going to have to beef up staff if it hopes to complete the Gateway Program, a $30 billion Hudson River megaproject that would ease rail traffic up and down the East Coast. (American Prospect)
A D.C. Metro audit found that the agency still has inadequate safety precautions after several high-profile emergencies. (Washington Post)
The Boston Globe editorial board comes out in favor of decriminalizing jaywalking.
Atlanta gas stations are reluctant to install EV chargers because they fear utility Georgia Power will swoop in and undercut them. (AJC)
The Pittsburgh Port Authority is seeking funding to revamp the South Hills Junction transit station. (Post-Gazette)
St. Louis aldermen recently approved three major bike projects. (STL NPR)
The Phoenix city council adopted Vision Zero. (KJZZ)
A compromise that could have saved Indianapolis’ bus rapid transit Blue Line from state legislators’ attacks fizzled out. (Star)
El Paso officials are seeking alternatives to widening I-10 through downtown. (KVIA)
Paris is banning nonessential driving through the city center starting in 2024. (CityLab)

Blake Aued

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.

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