Unless you happen to be standing on a hilltop or swimming in the ocean right now, you are on a watershed. These unsung wonders of topography and hydrology are an important contributor to the rain cycle and yet we humans tend to abuse them.
Coutesy: http://www.chrisyates.net/
Introduced by Eisenhower in the 1950s, the freeway system—90 percent of which was paid for by federal funding—may be the country’s greatest-ever gift to itself. While it generally follows standard procedures in terms of signage, routing, and numbering, there are points in the system where things get a little weird. andnbsp;(Via Atlas Obscura)
Places Journal has an excellent article on an abandoned 200-acre hydraulic model of the Mississippi River Basin in in Vicksburg, Mississippi, that played a key role in helping the US Army Corps of Engineers harness this waterway.
Infrastructure makes modern civilization possible. Roads, power grids, sewage systems and water networks all underpin society as we know it, forming the basis of our built environment … at least when they work.
In theory, infrastructure is a bipartisan issue – everyone wants roads and bridges to be nice, safe and smooth. In practice, big infrastructure projects tend to go over budget and lack accountability. Arguably this is both a political and cultural issue: we as a nation need to become more invested in our infrastructure, financially and emotionally. Perhaps it is time to reclaim the term “public works” as a reminder to politicians and citizens alike that these projects are undertaken by and for the people. (via 99% Invisible)
On November 8, 2016, we have a chance to protect transportation funding once and for all.
Half of Illinois’ roads and 4,200 of our bridges are in poor condition. It’s unsafe and puts Illinois at risk for tragedies like the bridge collapses that occurred in Minnesota and Indiana. The danger is real, and it’s unacceptable.
The Safe Roads Constitution Amendment requires that money taken in from transportation revenue sources be spent for transportation purposes.andnbsp; It prohibits the General Assembly or a unit of local government from using, diverting, or transferring moneys raised from these transportation revenue sources for non-transportation purposes.
Illinoisans pay motor fuel taxes, fees for vehicle registrations and license plates, and other transportation related taxes and fees with the expectation that these monies will be spent to maintain, repair, and build roads, highways, mass transit, and other transportation systems in their communities.andnbsp; Historically, the State and units of local government have diverted portions of monies raised from these revenue sources for other non-transportation purposes.andnbsp;Over the last decade, the state has diverted more than $6 billion away from transportation projects that should have been spent on them.
Join us at the Illinois Bike Summit for a day of learning and networking with advocates, professionals, and elected officials from all corners of the state. andnbsp;Leave inspired and better equipped to improve bicycling in your community as we focus on Better Biking for All. andnbsp;Maurer-Stutz is pleased to help sponsor this event.
Road construction season is starting up again. andnbsp;How much do you know about work zone safety?
Take the quiz to find out!
The people of Flint, MI were horrified to find their drinking water was poisoned with lead. As we learn more about lead’s effects and realize how persistent it is, the more worrying it becomes. What makes lead so toxic?
We have designed several roundabouts, but this roundabout in Swindon, UK, is incredible.
The good folks at 99% Invisbleandnbsp;report on how this installation came to be.