As promised, 1000 Friends is sharing some more in-depth analysis of the proposal to bury John Nolen Drive and Blair Street in a tunnel, build a park on the surface, and reconnect the surface street grid. Today, we tackle some of the primary benefits of this project from the transportation, environmental, and civic points of view.
Read more about "Benefits of Decking Over John Nolen Drive"
Madison’s downtown has seen a boom in residential and mixed-use development, and the city’s 2012 Downtown Plan aims to guide and balance density, vibrant and walkable streets and public spaces, and historic preservation. A number of persistent challenges remain, however, particularly the downtown’s thin connection to Lake Monona, transportation hotspots, and a need for more public parks.
Read more about "Cover It Up: Decking over Madison’s John Nolen Drive would benefit the city but faces complex challenges"
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is having a tough time justifying new highway projects when highway use is down. So now they have a new tactic – denial. They simply deny that traffic is down – and they have issued a “fact sheet” to promote their view.
Read more about "Fact Checking the WisDOT VMT “factsheet”"
Read what Green Downtown Program Manager Matt Covert has to say about decking over John Nolen Drive in Madison. And check out these successful cut and cover examples: Chicago Columbus Duluth
Read more about "Decking over John Nolen"
In this issue of Landscapes: Wisconsin is Getting Grayer and Greener – Are we ready for it? Protecting the Watershed – What do codes & ordinances have to do with clean water? Green Downtown Report & Walkability Survey with Badger Volunteers. Wisconsin Roads – Built for cars – not people.
Read more about "Summer 2014 Newsletter"
The Wisconsin State Journal in a news article this week states that the state will be short $15.3 billion over the next decade” largely because more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids and electric cars, are eroding state revenues from the gas tax, the largest source of state transportation funding.” These statements have been repeated by DOT officials, media publications and transportation professionals – blaming more efficient cars and electric vehicles for the precipitous fall in state transportation revenues. While this is no-doubt true, this is definitely not the main reason why fuel tax revenues are dropping.
Read more about "Don’t blame the Prius! The real reason the transportation fund is running dry"