Earlier this month, we met with a special guest and Professional Planner, Byron Nicholas, to discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, regional planning, and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP). We discussed MPOs and USDOT funding. However, we want to dive deeper to give an overview of federal transportation authorizations and why they matter in BIL and environmental planning. BIL is the most recent federal transportation authorization and the largest in history, so it’s only right that we hit you with another one. Press play to hear: 

• An extra raspy Jas (she was losing her voice!)
• History and impact of federal transportation authorizations over the last 20 years
• How MPOs work with partner agencies to consider the environmental impacts of transportation projects and long-range plans and how BIL adds to this effort
• Highlights and hot takes of several first-round RCP awardees

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

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RESOURCES

Federal Transportation Authorizations | FHWA 

Environmental Mitigation in Transportation Planning | FHWA

Environmental Justice Considerations in Regional Planning

The Stitch

Federal funding to reconnect Claiborne approved — but a fraction of what city, state sought | WWNO

Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Awards from Program to Reconnect Communities 

Reconnecting Communities FY22 Award Fact Sheets

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Maps Dashboard | D2D

Transportation For America The infrastructure law is not climate legislation, but states could make it green

MAP-21 vs. FAST Act Comparison Chart