Over $200 billion was at play through local and state ballot measures Thanks to a record-breaking number of transit-focused ballot measures this election, cities across the country will funnel billions of dollars worth of transportation improvements into systems that desperately need it. Of the 45 measures exclusively focused on transportation, it appears that 33 passed this week.
The wins were bittersweet, however, as the national election results made the future of federal funding uncertain, even though Donald Trump has made big promises when it comes to infrastructure. Only time will tell if President Trump and his Republican Congress can deliver on his promise to make America?s transportation great again. But in the meantime, many of these cities are well on their way. Atlanta
The city passed two major measures totaling $2.8 billion: a half-cent sales tax increase to fund improvements and expansion for its public transit system, MARTA, and a .4-percent special-purchase local-option tax to pay for bike lanes, sidewalks, and purchasing the rest of the right-of-way for the city?s Beltline.
Chicago
Illinois voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment requiring all funds from the state?s gas tax go directly to transportation projects. Called a ?lockbox,? it ensures that gas tax money is not used for other state needs, a move blamed for the deferred maintenance that caused the Hoboken train crash last month.
Detroit
Voters did not approve a $4.7 billion reg...