Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about U.S. DOT

Senators Hear From Obama’s Transit Chief-in-Waiting

By Elana Schor | May 13, 2009 | No Comments

One of the Capitol’s sad, secret truths is that members of Congress often skip committee hearings on issues of vital importance to their states — and today’s confirmation session with Peter Rogoff, the president’s nominee to lead the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), was no exception. Just three members of the Senate Banking Committee showed up […]

Less Than One Percent of Transpo Stimulus Money Paid Out So Far

By Elana Schor | May 13, 2009 | No Comments

The New York Times reports this morning that the Obama administration’s $787 billion economic stimulus package has hit a few snags: Some states and cities are beginning to complain that the money has yet to reach them. Others have been slow to get their paperwork to Washington; Virginia has yet to send the Transportation Department […]

A Federal Transportation Bill Is Coming… But When?

By Elana Schor | May 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

Speaking to members of the National Retail Federation earlier today, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sidestepped what’s becoming one of the peskiest unanswered questions on the Hill: Will Congress delay the federal transportation bill until next year? In his address to the retailers’ group, LaHood stuck mostly to his department’s progress in allocating its $48 billion […]

We Need an Ambitious Transpo Bill. So How Are We Going to Pay for It?

By Yonah Freemark | Apr 29, 2009 | 18 Comments

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood testifying in the Senate yesterday. Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing about the future of national surface transportation. This much isn’t in doubt: Current policies need a major overhaul. What to change and, especially, how to pay for it are very much in question. Several […]

U.S. DOT: We’re Looking to Build Communities

By Ben Fried | Mar 19, 2009 | 2 Comments

Earlier today, New York’s transportation establishment got a feel for the livable streets vibe that’s been emanating from Washington this week. Vice Admiral Thomas Barrett, Deputy Secretary at U.S. DOT, was on hand to deliver the keynote at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council‘s annual meeting. Here’s one passage that stood out: The one-size-fits-all transportation […]