Association of California Cities - Orange County’s Post

The 25th of March is the final limit under the law to respond to the Petition to Restore Vancouver Island Rail due to the weekend being part of the final day, Saturday the 23rd of March 2024. https://lnkd.in/dcjvdzaR While the Minister of Transportation, Pablo Rodriguez, responded cleanly within the 45 days allowed, Minister Gary Anandasangaree, responsible for Crown-Indigenous Relations, has not yet responded. He has less than 24 hours left to respond to the first point of the petition that Pablo can't answer to, that is... "Work with dedicated resources and with a nation-to-nation approach to reconcile and resolve long-standing First Nations’ concerns with certain sections of the Island Corridor" Will we hear from him? Many other petitions have answers from multiple ministers, but ours has only one. If you haven't already, sign the petition along with over 12,500 others https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr, and sign up for "The inside track" https://lnkd.in/gV-BSRV6 where I release information about significant developments I hear about. There's one coming! All Aboard! RESTORE ISLAND RAIL #railway #transit #support #reconcilation #cycling #route #malahat #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #canada #connection #transportation #disabled #multimodal #cyclists #alternate #railways #support #healthy #communities #climateaction #climate #emergency #health #travel #community #culture

San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG Executive Director Diane Nguyen met this week with Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua’s legislative director, Israel Landa, as part of the San Joaquin Valley Policy Council’s Valley Voice Sacramento delegation. The Valley Voice delegation is made up of elected officials and regional planning staff from throughout the San Joaquin Valley who travel to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to advocate for issues of interregional significance to federal and state legislators. This year’s Valley Voice interregional priorities included: ·        Pragmatically address air quality, equity and mobility goals through transportation improvements. ·        Leverage state funds to address safety, goods movement and mobility on highways with emphasis on State Route 99. ·        Access transit funding. ·        Enhance passenger rail service.   The San Joaquin Valley Policy Council is made up of elected officials from the policy board of regional planning agencies from throughout San Joaquin Valley, including SJCOG. The Policy Council provides a forum to communicate about interregional issues that impact all valley residents, such as transportation, air quality, and advocacy efforts, with the aim of having a single vision for the entire San Joaquin Valley.   #ValleyVoice #airquality #equity #mobility #transit #transportation #passengerrail #goodsmovement

This is the reason to build new and fully sustainable cities for the future. Rebuilding current cities is a waste. Slowly allow current city population to migrate to new sustainable cities.

On our June 4th Municipality of North Cowichan special council meeting we adopted the Master Transportation Plan following a three-year process that included several rounds of public engagement. The Master Transportation Plan provides immediate and long-term direction for improving our transportation system in North Cowichan and builds on the recently adopted Official Community Plan that recognizes the strong linkage between land use and transportation. The Master Transportation Plan also recognizes our commitment to addressing climate change through reduced transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and identifies a wide range of future projects that include investments in new infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. Other projects will include intersection upgrades, new road connections, and new policies and bylaws. Implementation of the recommendations in the Master Transportation Plan will be included in five-year forecasting during the annual budget cycles. https://lnkd.in/g9W7Nw8D

Thanks for talking to us Dean. Some fascinating insights into the future of transport and what that means for transport infrastructure.

Last chance to contribute to the draft Peninsula Transport Strategy – the closing date is in just one week on 5th February – bit.ly/3v1ClHQ. Published in December, the draft strategy outlines four outcomes and a route map to achieving a strategic transport network that works for everyone – from businesses to communities and visitors across Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay. The draft Peninsula Transport Strategy focuses on overcoming regional transport challenges such as rural accessibility, seasonal variation and network resilience - bit.ly/3v1ClHQ Your views will be crucial in shaping the future of transportation in our region. #PeninsulaTransportStrategy 

Nature-based solutions are critical to building resilience among communities 💪 In New York, an innovative green infrastructure project is reducing the impact stormwater has on the city's sewer systems. As a result, there is less contamination reaching local waterways, which improves conditions for both humans and ecosystems. Read more on this story (along with thoughts from Waterfront Alliance: https://bit.ly/4c11OS4 

Highway 413 - Ontario’s ⏭️ proposed route. Delayed due to: 🌳eco-concerns, 🏘️ urban sprawl, 💰cost debates. Critics advocate for 🌱greener, smarter 🧠 alternatives. Financial 💵 and environmental 🌍 implications to consider. #Highway413 #Ontario #Environment #Infrastructure #RealEstate #Highways #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #ontariorealestate

It's both fascinating and concerning to read about the £2.2bn Silvertown Tunnel project in London, as reported by BBC (). The tunnel, aimed at addressing traffic congestion and reducing pollution, is a classic example of the complex decisions cities face in balancing development with environmental considerations. While the proponents argue that the tunnel will ease traffic flow and potentially improve air quality by reducing idling vehicles, there's a valid concern from environmental groups and local campaigners that it could instead increase pollution and congestion. The notion that a road tunnel can be green is contentious and hinges on effective measures like tolls to regulate traffic and encourage the use of public transportation. The inclusion of a bus lane and provisions for cyclists are positive steps. However, the potential for an influx of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) could undermine the environmental benefits. The absence of published pollution figures raises questions about transparency and whether the project truly aligns with broader climate and clean air goals. This scenario underscores the need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments and public disclosure of such data. It also highlights the importance of considering long-term sustainable transport solutions, such as bolstering public transit systems and promoting alternative modes of transportation, to genuinely address the intertwined issues of urban mobility and environmental health. In the grand scheme, projects like the Silvertown Tunnel should be evaluated not only for their immediate utility but also for their alignment with climate resilience and sustainability objectives. As cities continue to grow, the path to a greener future lies in innovative, multi-modal transport strategies that prioritize the environment and public well-being. #SilvertownTunnel #SustainableCities #TransportationInnovation