Infrastructure

States’ Role in Water and Wastewater Spending Secure, Says EPA

An agency official reassured state and federal officials that “states are very much in the driver's seat” in picking which projects to spend funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

In Race to Build Out EV Charging Stations, Some Cities and States Have a Leg Up

As the number of electric vehicles surge, a new ranking looks at the state of charging infrastructure and which cities and states are ready to receive them.

A Troubling Trend: Pedestrian Deaths Continue to Rise

The number of people killed on U.S. streets in early 2022 was 5% higher than the same period a year earlier, showing a dramatic increase over the last decade.

Biden Administration Recognizes States’ Role in Highway Spending

A new memo from the Federal Highway Administration that replaces one from last year explicitly acknowledges the role of states in deciding how to use federal highway dollars—allaying concerns raised by Republicans in Congress.

As Texas Booms, Local Governments — Especially in Small Towns — Struggle to Find Workers

A cascade of issues including inflation and growing distrust in government aren’t helping local governments hire for critical positions in public safety and utilities.

Putting Federal Aid into Local Hands Works, White House Says

State budget surpluses are a sign the American Rescue Plan worked, Biden adviser Gene Sperling told the National Association of Counties conference.

Can Women Help Fill the Shortage of Trade Workers? Unions Are Betting On It.

But with only about 2 percent of tradespersons identifying as women, recruitment and retention initiatives by unions are just scratching the surface.

Machine Learning Maps Location of Lead Pipes

An open-source map will help communities find and remove pipes faster.

City Planners Are Questioning the Point of Parking Garages

COMMENTARY | As many cities grapple with the housing crisis, some places are rewriting regulations and finding creative ways to repurpose these hulking masses of concrete that suck up valuable real estate.

White House Launches New Push to Help States Remove Lead Pipes That Carry Drinking Water

Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will be part of the Lead Service Replacement Accelerators program.

State & Local Roundup: Wealth Tax Proposals on the Rise

While some states debate the so-called millionaires taxes, others are weighting cuts to levies on income and property. Plus: News you can use from across the country.

New Boil Water Notices Are Being Issued Every Other Day in Jackson

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves lifted the citywide boil water advisory on Sept. 15, 2022. Since then, 70 new boil water notices, or more than one every other day, have been issued.

A New Initiative Seeks to Help Small Cities Access Infrastructure Funding

The program will work with communities to assemble strong grant applications that can win some of the billions of dollars available.

Railroad Tracks Can be an Obstacle for High-Speed Internet Buildouts

State lawmakers are looking at the issue. Virginia’s Legislature wants to cap fees and streamline reviews for fiber infrastructure that crosses rail rights-of-way. Railroads say existing procedures are important for safety.

Executive Order Blocks State Business With ‘Evil Foreign Governments’

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s order will ensure companies associated with hostile nations do not access state infrastructure or data through IT or telecommunications contracts.

5 Ways to Build Cities That Can Better Withstand Climate Extremes

Smarter land-use and nature-based solutions are among the approaches highlighted in a new report, which also focuses on equity considerations and how to pay for projects.

When the Infrastructure Boom Meets the Workforce Crash

With federal dollars pouring into state and local governments for infrastructure, there’s one huge challenge: Who will do all the work?

A Recipe for Supporting Our Innovation Nation

COMMENTARY | How should the public and private sectors work together to ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in technology? Here are four key steps.

Miami-Dade Debuts Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat Problem

The Florida county, which has the most days of extreme heat in the nation, will, among other things, plant more trees and install cool pavement.