Pennsylvania towns get more time to develop storm-water plans | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/28/2010

Pennsylvania towns get more time to develop storm-water plans Philadelphia Inquirer 07/28/2010: "After months of trying to impose tough new rules for how towns should manage their storm water, Pennsylvania regulators on Tuesday backed off and granted municipalities a nine-month extension for measures some had termed 'draconian.'"

Access has improved since the Americans With Disabilities Act

Access has improved since the Americans With Disabilities Act: "Twenty years ago, Stanley Soden likely found that some of the activities most take for granted were at best troublesome, if not nearly impossible.

The act has not proved to be a panacea for those living with disabilities, experts said. But the ADA has made possible great strides in improving the lives of 54 million people — 19 percent of the nation's population, according to 2005 U.S. Census figures — who live with some form of disability."

Transit Options Discussed for Stewart Airport

Transit Options Discussed for Stewart Airport: At a time of drastic cuts to established transit routes, New York’s transportation agencies are keeping an eye on the future — specifically, a future where Stewart Airport in Orange County is a bustling “fourth airport” for the region and the rapid growth of the mid-Hudson Valley requires new transit service. On Tuesday, Metro-North Railroad and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey revealed new, potentially costly transit options to address both issues.

$200 million more headed for new rail tunnel

$200 million more headed for new rail tunnel: "The dollars would fund an $8.7 billion rail tunnel connecting NJ with Manhattan."

Mayor protests Rte. 17 proposal

Mayor protests Rte. 17 proposal: ROCHELLE PARK — Mayor Frank Valenzuela is mobilizing residents to protest the proposed Route 17 Bottleneck Project, which he says will hurt the township financially.

The township hired a traffic engineer to assess the project's impact on local streets, he said. The council will put a referendum on the November ballot to gauge public opinion on the project."

FTA Study: $77.7 Billion Needed to Bring Nation’s Rail and Bus Transit Systems into ‘State of Good Repair’

FTA Study: $77.7 Billion Needed to Bring Nation’s Rail and Bus Transit Systems into ‘State of Good Repair’: "
A Federal Transit Administration (FTA) study released today estimates the cost of bringing the nation’s rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair at $77.7 billion. In addition, a yearly average of $14.4 billion would be required to maintain the systems.
FTA’s National State of Good Repair Assessment Study, requested by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a follow-up to the 2009 Rail Modernization Study report to Congress, provides a comprehensive analysis of the costs required to bring the nation’s rail and bus transit systems into good operating order. The 2010 study released today is based on data provided by 36 additional rail and bus operators in both rural and urban areas".

CT Leaders Bet Big on New Haven-Springfield Rail

CT Leaders Bet Big on New Haven-Springfield Rail: "Connecticut will issue $200 million in bonds for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Line in the hopes of winning an equivalent federal high-speed rail grant, the Hartford Courant reported last week. While the article focuses on a communication mixup between the governor and Senate Democrats, the decision to bond is supported by Gov. Rell, House Speaker Chris Donovan, and Senate President Donald Williams — a good sign for the project.
The state’s decision to ante up its own money comes as the August 6 deadline for the second round of high-speed rail grants approaches."

Rendell wants gas tax hike

Rendell wants gas tax hike: "HARRISBURG -- A gasoline tax increase of 3.25 cents per gallon could help the state collect some of the $472 million a year it needs for transportation projects, Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday. That's part of his back-up plan if lawmakers won't agree to higher taxes for oil companies."