Maryland officials failed to test Key Bridge vulnerability

The National Transportation Safety Board said the span was nearly 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold and urged owners to evaluate 68 older bridges across the country.

By Zachary Phillips • March 21, 2025

Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.

Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.

By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025

Can USDOT kill California high-speed rail?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the Federal Railroad Administration to review the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco project with an eye toward clawing back $4 billion in federal funds.

By Dan Zukowski • March 20, 2025

EPA to review ‘waters of the U.S.’ rule

The rule defines which wetlands or bodies of water fall under the Clean Water Act. The three previous presidential administrations have adjusted its scope.

By Mary Salmonsen • March 19, 2025

City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues

The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.

By Dan Zukowski • March 18, 2025

Up to $51B in transportation grant awards at risk, advocacy group says

Transportation for America analyzed a leaked Department of Transportation policy memo that targets road safety, bicycle and electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

By Dan Zukowski • March 17, 2025

JD Vance calls for zoning, regulation reform to improve housing affordability

Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, also blamed immigrants for competing with U.S. citizens for housing.

By Dan Zukowski • March 13, 2025

EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’

The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its efforts to address climate change. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.

By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025

New approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit

The lengthy process from RFP to equipment delivery can result in trains that are already obsolete when they go into service. New technologies and procurement approaches could help.

By Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal • March 13, 2025

Mayors condemn ongoing federal funding freeze

Infrastructure, child care, Meals on Wheels and after-school programs are among those impacted, elected officials and nonprofit leaders said at a National League of Cities meeting this week.

By Dan Zukowski • March 12, 2025

Local government impacts of President Trump’s first 50 days

President Donald Trump wasted no time in canceling or halting many of former President Biden’s initiatives that provided support to local governments. State, city and nonprofit leaders are turning to the courts to fight back.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • March 11, 2025

US DOT asks DC transportation authorities to focus on cutting crime

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District Department of Transportation to report and take action to improve safety.

By Dan Zukowski • March 7, 2025

DOT funding priorities benefit Whiter, wealthier communities: Urban Institute

A plan to tie funding to marriage and birth rates would leave behind historically underserved communities, according to an Urban Institute analysis.

By Kalena Thomhave • Feb. 25, 2025

FTA postpones enforcement of state safety oversight rule for rail transit

Though the rule was effective Jan. 1, the Federal Transit Administration is  postponing enforcement to March 20 in line with a Jan. 20 executive order.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 25, 2025

23 AGs line up behind Baltimore in CFPB case

Efforts to shutter the agency are against public interest, the AGs said. The CFPB’s attorneys argue it’s in the public interest to act “consistent[ly] with the philosophy of a new administration brought about by a national election."

By Dan Ennis • Feb. 25, 2025

NY takes on Trump in battle over congestion pricing

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy terminated approval of New York's program for tolling vehicles that enter Manhattan's central business district. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to fight.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 20, 2025

FEMA halts enforcement of flood rebuild rule, New York Times reports

By not requiring buildings at risk of repeated flooding to be elevated or moved, the government isn’t saving money, critics say.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 19, 2025

Roadway safety requires traffic enforcement, infrastructure investments: House hearing

Safety advocates and local government officials joined members of Congress in calling for action to reduce traffic deaths in a House subcommittee hearing.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 18, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro sues Trump administration, citing frozen IRA funding

The state’s agencies have limited access to over $3.1 billion in funding for activities including distributed solar deployment, well plugging and weatherization, according to the lawsuit.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 18, 2025

DOT rescinds approval of New York congestion pricing plan

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the plan "a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners."

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Feb. 19, 2025

Scott Turner confirmed as HUD secretary

Turner helped establish opportunity zones, an economic development tool, when he served in the first Trump administration.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 5, 2025

On housing, mayors see path forward with Trump

“Housing should not be a partisan issue,” one mayor said during a National League of Cities housing summit. But the president’s immigration policies are a concern.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 5, 2025

San Francisco illegally fired workers seeking COVID vaccine religious exemption, 9th Circuit says

The record didn’t show that the City and County of San Francisco “seriously considered any religious accommodation,” according to the court.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 5, 2025

The Smart Cities Outlook for 2025: Change is coming

From new federal policies to growing technologies like AI and robotaxis, cities will encounter many changes while they continue to tackle housing, homelessness, climate and equity issues.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the waste and recycling industries.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 30, 2025