The post-pork era in Congress means more money for transportation and livability projects:
The FHWA just announced that 11 programs, funded at a combined $422 million, will be making discretionary grants for innovative projects. “These grants will support projects that work to improve safety, maintain a state of good repair, and make communities more livable,” the FHWA statement said. The money for most of those 11 programs used to be consumed almost entirely by earmarks.
The bad news is that the very year the Lehigh Valley’s Congressman got on the Appropriations Committee, it suddenly became politically unfashionable to be seen handing out big cardboard checks. Luckily there are a number of projects in the Valley’s cities that would unquestionably qualify for merit-based federal grants – the Greenway in Bethlehem, the bike trails plan in Allentown, and the Silk Mill project in Easton.
More proof they're all whores. Thanks Jon, yet another of your posts confirms what I've been telling you since you started this blog.
By the way, bike trails are a ridiculous waste of resources. You're in NYC, perfect example of how money can get pissed away when these follies are pursued.
It's not a waste of resources. One of the main things this blog is about is encouraging policies that reduce suburban development and increase city development. It's about creating "20 minute neighborhoods" where you can get all the stuff you need without having to get in a car. More people in the core means more congestion unless you create other ways for people to get around. It's about planning for the future.