New Report Takes on ‘Perverse Incentives’ to De-Emphasize Bridge Repair
When Minneapolis' I-35 bridge collapsed in 2007, lawmakers from both parties vowed to focus on shoring up the nation's aging infrastructure. But when the public spotlight faded from the issue of infrastructure repair, Congress showed little appetite for setting aside maintenance aid that did not hold the promise of ribbon-cutting ceremonies or campaign donations.
April 28, 2010
Today’s Headlines
LaHood joins auto insurer to kick off new campaign educating teenagers about distracted driving (DOT Blog, Allstate Press) Who’s to blame for the now-undetermined delay in the Senate climate change bill: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) or Lindsey Graham (R-SC)? (MoJones, TNR, NPR) Digging deeper into the recent reports of a significant uptick in New … Continued
April 28, 2010
House & Senate Taking Unified Approach to Post-Toyota Auto Safety Bill
The two congressional chairmen with primary jurisdiction over auto safety today vowed to work together on new legislation aimed at staving off a repeat of the debacle facing Toyota, which was recently fined $16 million for failing to promptly inform federal regulators of defects in its cars that sparked millions of recalls.
April 27, 2010
Jackson Joins Transit Unions to Rally for More Federal Operating Aid
"CONGRE$$ PLEASE HELP."
April 27, 2010
Today’s Headlines
LaHood says a nationwide network of bike trails could be possible (NPR) Kerry, Graham, Lieberman meeting tonight to try to salvage Senate climate legislation (Globe) Forbes names its top 10 “cities in free fall” — several of which are noted sprawl havens Pennsylvania report sees a future for conventional rail in the state, but not … Continued
April 27, 2010
Federal Transit Security Inspections: A Once-Every-Three Years Affair
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is linked most closely in the popular consciousness with aviation security, but its mandate also extends to protecting rail and transit systems -- a job that needs to get more attention from the agency, according to senior senators from both parties.
April 26, 2010
U.S. DOT Releases Rules for ‘TIGER II’ Grants, Bringing HUD on Board
The U.S. DOT today released its first round of guidance for the so-called "TIGER II" program, a $600 million pot of competitive transportation grants considered a quasi-sequel to the popular $1.5 billion merit-based fund included in last year's stimulus law.
April 26, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Remember that $932 million in earmarked transport funding that Oberstar demanded be reapportioned to avoid giving four states most of the benefit? His efforts have run into a big Senate obstacle: the Democratic whip (Crain’s) St. Louis-area columnist ask how LaHood can call for bikes to be on equal footing with other modes of transport … Continued
April 26, 2010
Today’s Headlines
(ed. note. Streetsblog Capitol Hill will be on a light publishing schedule today, but back at it bright and early on Monday.)
April 23, 2010
U.S. DOT Admits Status Quo Untenable, Vows to Cut Transport Emissions
In its second Earth Day release, the U.S. DOT today unveiled a 600-page analysis of transportation emissions mandated by Congress in the 2007 energy bill. In addition to weighing in on many potential tactics for limiting transport's contribution to the changing climate, the document notably recommits the Obama administration to that goal at a time when Democrats are weighing a delay in the energy debate.
April 22, 2010