The unofficial release of a draft six-year transportation bill last week offers a promising albeit non-definitive glimpse of Obama administration priorities for the nation’s infrastructure programs. The proposal, titled the Transportation Opportunities Act, boosts resources for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s core highway program while making significant investments in transit. High-speed rail receives $8 billion upfront and $53 billion over six years, and $27.5 billion is directed toward a new Livability Program that folds many existing pedestrian, bicycling and transit elements under one umbrella.

T4 America co-chair John Robert Smith encouraged members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to enact “bold new policy” to repair our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, increase transit options and demand accountability for results, in testimony delivered on Capitol Hill today. Smith, the former 16-year Republican mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and President and CEO of [...]

In an interview with Streetsblog Network alum Sarah Goodyear in her new post at Grist, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sheds a little light via some personal reflection on how he came to understand livability — a concept that many folks might guess he had never heard of 20 months ago. Of course, just like most [...]

For the first time in the agency’s history, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $100 million in grants today to help communities become more livable and sustainable, by connecting housing to jobs and transportaiton options. The 45 regional winners from communities small and large across the country embody precisely the kind of innovation and creativity federal policy should be supporting.

The Diane Rehm show, which regularly receives more than 2.1 million listeners on its home of Washington-based NPR affiliate WAMU, tackled the topic of “Creating Livable Cities” during last Thursday’s broadcast. Rehm was also joined by, among others, Barbara McCann, the director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Summary: This collection of 12 case studies helps put to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea. Small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. While some of these communities face formidable threats – from job losses and shrinking populations to disappearing farmland and strained resources – their leaders have forged collaborations and created plans that are growing economies, benefiting people and protecting the land and lifestyles treasured by residents and non-residents alike.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. The EPA helped Taos officials improve access for bicyclists and pedestrians, make streets safer and pursue commercial and residential growth that fit with the town’s character.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. McCall officials worked with the EPA on effective planning along the town’s major corridor, resulting in new businesses and preserved open space.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. The state of Wyoming put together a blueprint for getting infrastructure up-to-date and preparing for new business while preserving its unique quality of life.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Facing a decline in population and lagging job growth, North Dakota’s governor initiated a long-range process to attract new employers and prepare North Dakotans for the 21st century.