Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.
Moving Beyond the Automobile: Transit Oriented Development (L.A. Streetsblog)
In the first of a series of films about “moving beyond the automobile,” Streetsfilms considers how transit oriented development (TOD) works both to support robust transit ridership and to reduce car trips in congested cities. In the film, Clarence Eckerson, Jr. looks at what has made TOD work well in New Jersey: higher density, mixed uses, multiple transit options, and a walkable and bike-able environment.
California bullet train backers want funds that Florida shunned (L.A. Times)
The big national transportation news yesterday was that Florida Governor Rick Scott has decided to terminate his state’s high speed rail project, and thus forfeit $2 billion in federal funding. It remains to be seen if he’ll need the state legislature’s approval — many of his colleagues are fuming at his decision. But if Gov. Scott is successful, California would again seem to be a prime candidate for those funds, as it was when Ohio and Wisconsin gave up their HSR projects last year.
Here Comes the Train – and Bikes and Pedestrians (The LookOut)
Few cities in L.A. County have been as aggressive as Santa Monica in its planning for the arrival of Metro Rail. With construction on the Expo Line Phase 2 set to start in the next year or so, reporter Ann K. Williams sat down with Santa Monica Director of Planning Eileen Fogarty to discuss what exactly the city has planned for its three Expo stops, including the line’s western terminus. Various commercial and housing developments around stations are in the works. But, the overarching theme is connectivity. When riders step off the train, the goal is for them to have the option to walk, bike, or transfer to a bus to reach their ultimate destination.
Categories: Transportation Headlines, Transportation News
“With construction on the Expo Line Phase 2 set to start in the next year or so….”
Is it really going to be that long? The Environmental process is complete. Is the battle against the NIMBY lawsuit going to take “a year or so” to resolve before any construction work can begin?