Biden 2024 budget asks Congress to allow transit capital funds to be used for operating expenses

The “historic policy change” could stave off drastic fare hikes and service cuts as transit agencies face budget shortfalls in the coming years.

More than $175B in housing investments in Biden budget proposal

One $10 billion mandatory measure would create incentives for state and local governments to eliminate barriers to affordable housing, such as restrictive zoning. 

Biden proposed budget boosts funding for clean energy, permitting, efficiency programs

The budget released Thursday includes $11.9 billion for the Department of Energy climate and clean energy research, development, demonstration and deployment, a 20% hike over the FY 23 enacted amount.

Philadelphia kicks off project to reconnect Chinatown neighborhood divided by expressway

The Chinatown Stitch project will develop a plan to “cap” a less than one-mile stretch of Interstate 676, called the Vine Street Expressway, that split the community more than 30 years ago.

New transit workforce dashboard can help agencies tackle labor shortages

The dashboard creates a one-stop shop for “visualizations and digestible information about the transit workforce” that will be continually updated, the Transit Workforce Center said.

The cities with the highest, lowest rental vacancy rates

The national vacancy rate has held relatively steady over the past four quarters, according to Census data.

Self-driving cars have people worried: survey

Although manufacturers tout their potential to reduce accidents, "driverless vehicles are nowhere near ready for prime time," a safety advocate said.

To fight e-bike fires, New York state and city lawmakers crack down on unsafe batteries, chargers

“Reconditioned and untested batteries are contributing to a serious threat to the health and safety of New Yorkers in their homes and in their jobs,” state Sen. Liz Krueger said.

NYC cuts proposed delivery worker wage floor by almost $4

Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash persuaded the city to reduce its 2025 target base pay by $3.86 an hour, arguing workers would be compensated by “multi-apping.”

San Francisco transit agencies face “worst-case scenarios” for revenue, potential service cuts, leaders say

California, facing a $22 billion budget shortfall, may cut state funding for transportation just as major transit agencies struggle to regain riders and find new revenues.  

US DOT and Austin, Texas, launch first-of-its-kind $22 billion transportation partnership

It’s the first time the Transportation Department has entered an emerging projects agreement with a city to fast-track networks of related projects rather than using a piecemeal approach.

Colorado’s lead composter imposes stricter accepted materials rules to curb contamination

A1 Organics says contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" no longer will be accepted.

Affordable houses were scarce in 2022 due to mortgage rates, supply: Redfin

The number of affordable homes listed for sale in the U.S. fell 53% from 2021 to 2022, according to a Redfin report. Black and Hispanic households struggled with affordability more than White and Asian households.

National League of Cities calls for congressional action to improve rail safety

The letter calls for specific improvements to rail safety as legislators consider new bipartisan action in response to the Ohio train derailment in February.

EPA unveils cybersecurity oversight for public drinking water systems

“Cyberattacks that are targeting water systems pose a real and significant threat to our security,” said Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Water, during a teleconference with reporters.

Federal infrastructure funds begin to flow, mostly to roadwork

Spending on roadway contracts in 2022 was more than 29 times higher than spending on rail and transit contracts, according to American Road & Transportation Builders Association data.

New Mexico considering bill to mandate, fund protected bike lanes in some roadway improvement projects

The requirement would apply to roadway improvement projects in municipalities with 10,000 or more residents.

White House releases national cyber strategy, shifting security burden

“We ask individuals, small businesses and local governments to shoulder a significant burden for defending us all. This isn’t just unfair, it’s ineffective,” said Kemba Walden, acting national cyber director, during a call with reporters.

US DOT to audit SEPTA rail car contract with China-based supplier for Buy America compliance

A photo showing a rail car bound for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority being assembled in China prompted Congress to request the investigation.

Denver’s e-bike program produced more new riders, less car trips: report

Program participants who were surveyed said they rode their bikes an average of 26 miles per week, replacing 3.4 round-trip vehicle trips, a new report found. 

The average apartment size is shrinking

Tallahassee, Florida, has the largest new apartments in the country at 1,182 square feet, while Seattle has the smallest at 659 square feet, according to a new study.

$250M for curbing climate pollution, advancing environmental justice available from US EPA

Each of the 67 most-populated U.S. metropolitan areas is eligible for $1 million in planning grants, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will follow with $4.6 billion to help cities and states implement their plans later this year.

45 projects receive first Reconnecting Communities grants from US DOT

With funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program aims to restore connections between communities that had been severed by highways and other transportation infrastructure. 

Chick-fil-A opens free space for food delivery workers in NYC through mid-April

Couriers in Manhattan can access The Brake Room, which has bathrooms, bike storage, electrical outlets, seating, Wi-Fi and beverages.

Pedestrian deaths up 5% in first half of 2022: GHSA report

An average of 19 people a day are killed by motor vehicles, creating "a pedestrian safety crisis on our roads," said a Governors Highway Safety Association spokesperson.