Boondoggles
Climate Change Fight Dies in Texas Oil Region
An oil-rich region of West Texas is about to get more than half a billion dollars in highway funds so it can continue to pump more crude and frack natural gas — perpetuating a cycle that is causing the destruction of human civilization.
August 28, 2019
Bond Voyage! Houston Faces $3.5B Transit Decision
Houston has a once in a generation opportunity to modernize its transit system this fall — and the city hopes to learn from Nashville's mistakes.
August 19, 2019
Federal Program Would Help Cities Tear Down Highways
A new pot of money would help undo the sometimes-racist legacy of urban highway construction.
August 14, 2019
Baby Steps on Climate Responsibility in New Federal Transportation Bill
A lot more money for highways. A little more money for bikes and bridge repair. But what else is in the new Transportation bill moving through Congress?
July 31, 2019
Are Uber and Lyft the Future of Transit? Not So Fast
Cities that turn to technology companies to save their transit systems are bound to be disappointed by the outcome.
July 22, 2019
Boondoggle: Virginia’s Unlovable I-81 Expansion
Officials have pointed to safety as a key reason for the need to expand the highway. Yet, in 2010, state officials raised speed limits to 70 mph along much of I-81, a move that likely made the road more dangerous.
July 1, 2019
Boondoggle: Portland Takes a Step Backward
Portland has made bold moves toward becoming a good place to get around without a car. But it's about to make a huge mistake in the Rose Quarter.
June 28, 2019
Boondoggle: Keystone State’s 1-83 Expansion
Pennsylvania is moving forward with a plan to spend $300 million in order to widen I-83 in York County to eight lanes from four. But project documents fail to show how the project will solve any problems or bring clear benefits to the region.
June 27, 2019
Highway Boondoggles: More Mistakes in Miami
In Miami, highways slice through almost every section of the city, cutting neighborhoods off from one another and creating sprawl that threatens the surrounding environment.
June 26, 2019
Highway Boondoggle: Golden State’s Desert Destruction
California's $8-billion, 63-mile “High Desert Freeway" north of downtown Los Angeles would lead to more driving and more pollution, along with sprawling desert development.
June 24, 2019
