Tanya Snyder

For years, the federal government has adopted roadway guidelines that fall far short of what's needed -- and what's possible -- to protect cyclists and pedestrians. By "playing it safe" and sticking with old-school engineering, U.S. DOT allowed streets to be unsafe for these vulnerable road users.

The Potential Victims of Sequestration, in Brick and Mortar Terms (TSTC) California Considers Seven Laws to Improve Bicycling, Transit (Cyclelicio.us) Transit Can Only Cut Traffic If Paired With Dense Development, Congestion Pricing (WaPo) Stephanie Pollack & Al Biehler: If the Climate Matters, So Does Transportation (WBUR) San Diego Considers Suspending Giant Bike/Ped Tube Under Coronado Bay Bridge (ABC … Continued

These two men are serious about creating an infrastructure bank before they leave office.

It’s been almost a month since Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his resignation -- and longer than that since he tipped off the president that he was planning his exit -- but no replacement has been named yet. They haven’t named an acting secretary and let him go, as happened in the Labor Department when Hilda Solis left. Not only that, but buzz about who might move into the secretary’s office has actually quieted. It’s as if the administration is hoping that if it just doesn’t bring it up, LaHood will simply stay.

Congratulations are owed to Bob McDonnell. He's scored a victory on his transportation funding plan, cementing his legacy (though infuriating conservatives, including his hand-picked successor). His achievement is being called the first bipartisan initiative to pass in Virginia in decades. And what does this great deed accomplish? Secure revenue to fuel a new era of wasteful road-building in the commonwealth of Virginia.

There may be nothing sadder than distressed cities trying to compete with the suburbs by adding more parking spaces. (We're looking at you, Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo!)

VA Transpo Plan Passage Could Inspire MD to Approve a Very Different Plan (WaPo) Gov. McDonnell Already Saying He’ll “Review” Fee on Alternative Fuel Cars (WaPo) Is President Obama All Talk When It Comes to Infrastructure? (Governing) Sen. Franken Wants More Competition in Freight Rail (The Hill) Almost 60% of NY-NJ-CT Region’s Ped Fatalities Happen … Continued

Welcome to Sequestration Week. Congress has until Friday to strike a deal that would avoid a set of dreaded automatic budget cuts.

VA Legislature Green-Lights McDonnell’s Wacko Transpo Plan… (WaPo) …Which Will Actually Save Drivers Money at the Pump (ABC) LaHood Warns of Sequester Consequences to Air Travel, McCain “Shames” Him (NBC, WaPo) Gas Tax Hike 6 to 14 Times More Effective Than CAFE Standards (Forbes, WaPo) California HSR Opponents Drop Lawsuit (ABC) Rural Pennsylvanians Lament Possible Loss of Amtrak Service … Continued

This is the third and final installment of our exit interview with departing U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. In the first, he talked about his proudest accomplishments, why he decided to leave, and why it’s important to fund bike/ped improvements with federal dollars – and he made it clear he’s still not giving us any answers about where to find more money for transportation. In the second, he talked about Republicans who get it, why TIGER was a game-changer – and he let slip some good news about the Chicago Riverwalk. Part three is more of a grab-bag -- I hadn’t expected to get almost 40 minutes one-on-one with the secretary!