Day: January 5, 2009

As Inauguration Day gets closer, talk on the Streetsblog Network is turning back to the stimulus bill being pushed by the new administration. On Saturday, President-elect Obama once again talked to the nation about how he wants to pump federal dollars into infrastructure spending. And once again, while he singled out roads and bridges as worthy of investment, the words "transit" and "rail" never passed his lips. Should we be worrying about this? Or are we trying to read too much into these highly stylized YouTube pronouncements?

Let's face it, the end of 2008 presented a lot of bad signs that hopefully won't be carrying over to the New Year.  President-Elect Obama seems to be pushing a stimulus plan that would poor billions into road projects and much less into transit or other green transportation and locally the streets are getting less safe for cyclists and pedestrians.

NYT: Obama Must Make Transit a Priority No Mention of Transit in Obama Address on Economic Recovery (CAHSR Blog via Streetsblog.net) “TOD” at Hollywood and Western Mocked (Curbed, SoapBox) OC Fares Go Up Today (LA Now) 3 New Year Wishes for Transit in LA (Examiner, City Watch) Billboard Inspector’s Office Fabulously Inept (LA Weekly) Raise … Continued