Month: August 2012
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Why Are American Infrastructure Projects So Expensive?
You could hear a collective gasp last month when Amtrak released a plan to upgrade service on the Northeast Corridor with a $150 billion pricetag attached. Many rail advocates expressed shock. The Amtrak plan is hardly an outlier: California High Speed Rail has been dogged by similar cost concerns.
August 29, 2012
Three-Foot Bike Passing Bill Passes CA Assembly, Needs Gov’s Signature
The California State Assembly passed a bill yesterday that would require motorists to provide three feet of space when passing bicyclists. SB 1464, which passed with a 50-16 vote, is expected to be signed by Governor Jerry Brown in September following a "largely procedural" approval by the State Senate, which already passed the bill in May, according to the California Bicycle Coalition.
August 28, 2012
Are Dense Urban Neighborhoods More Resilient During Natural Disasters?
As the country watches Hurricane Isaac’s massive spiral head straight for the Gulf Coast, we are all experiencing post-traumatic symptoms of Katrina, which, seven years ago today, was heading for the same target. But I’m also remembering a severe weather event that hit closer to home (for me) somewhat more recently: Snowpocalypse, followed by Snowmageddon, followed by Snoverkill. The three storms hit DC during the winter of 2009-2010, dumping a combined 55 to 72 inches of snow on the area (depending which airport you measure from).
August 28, 2012
Visualizing the Enormous Squandered Potential in a Parking Lot
Network blogger Cap'n Transit has been on a roll recently with a string of posts about how walkable development near transit can produce more riders than park-and-rides. It's amazing how much room parking can take up and how little return it provides compared to compact development.
August 28, 2012
Divisadero Water Walking by Thinkwalks
How Many Lakes were on Divisadero? (And how did one of them cause a murder?) How do those water-loving willow trees on Alamo Square quench their thirst? (It’s not the dog pee!)
August 28, 2012
Water Wallking Laguna Honda by Thinkwalks
How is this creek valley different from all others in San Francisco? How did the water get here? And where does the water disappear to?
August 28, 2012
Walk the Wiggle by Thinkwalks
Whether you’re visiting from afar or a deeply entrenched local, this is your chance to deeply explore SF history! Did you know the Freeway Revolt that changed the world started in this neighborhood? Did you hear the recent discovery that San Francisco was founded right here, by Duboce Park? Did you know that the Mint was built to withstand explosions but two weeks after opening was broken into!?
August 28, 2012
Eyes on the Street: McCoppin Transformation in Progress
Last summer, we wrote about a package of overdue streetscape improvements planned for the neighborhood around McCoppin Street, which would include a public gathering space called the McCoppin Hub adjacent to the Central Freeway.
August 27, 2012