Recent Streetsblog USA posts about U.S. DOT

Bailout Recipient Citigroup Gets Contract to Run ‘Cash for Clunkers’

By Elana Schor | Aug 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

As the Senate gears up for debate this week on approving $2 billion more in "cash for clunkers" new-car rebates, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has vowed to work with the program’s main private contractor — Citigroup — to iron out any kinks in the system that auto dealers use to apply for taxpayer-subsidized reimbursements. Transportation […]

Road Stimulus Money: Half Spent on Repaving, 17% on Widening

By Elana Schor | Jul 31, 2009 | No Comments

The $787 billion economic stimulus law provided $27 billion for roads and bridges. But is the money going to shore up aging infrastructure or to add new highway lanes? Nonpartisan auditors at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the question during a House transportation committee hearing today. And as the Associated Press reports in the […]

‘Cash for Clunkers’ Out of Cash — But Not Quite Finished

By Elana Schor | Jul 31, 2009 | 2 Comments

The U.S. DOT may have notified car dealers last night that its watered-down "cash for clunkers" plan was already out of cash, but that doesn’t mean the rebates are on their last legs. With the White House vowing to protect the program, Congress soon could have to decide whether to keep the good times rolling […]

Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action

By Elana Schor | Jul 28, 2009 | No Comments

Appearing this morning at the release of a new report on transportation’s role in fighting climate change, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill. FTA’s Peter Rogoff (in hard hat) heard strong words from Rep. […]

House Votes on Transportation Spending: Track it Live

By Elana Schor | Jul 23, 2009 | No Comments

While how to pay for future transport programs takes center stage in the House today, another crucial debate is going on over approval of next year’s U.S. DOT budget. The full House is set to vote this afternoon on the $123 billion transportation and housing spending bill for 2010, with a series of amendments okayed […]

Government Still Taking Hands-Off Approach to Cell Phoning While Driving

By Elana Schor | Jul 21, 2009 | 1 Comment

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was prepared six years ago to seek broad limits on cell phone use by drivers — with or without a hands-free device — but shelved its plans for fear of alienating Congress and chat-loving voters, the New York Times reported today. (Photo: textually.org) The story suggests that senior […]

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