Sorry, Wisconsin and Ohio! If you don't want those federal funds for high-speed rail (HSR) projects, well, California will be more than happy to those bucks off your hands. Today Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced he will redirect about $1.2 billion to the states who have large HSR projects, including California, according to Time. Our state, along with Florida, will get the lion's share of the funds, up to $624 million to the Golden State alone. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and President Barack Obama are scheduled to meet tomorrow in the nation's capital to discuss federal funding for transit projects in Los Angeles, according to the Daily News. The Mayor "has been seeking congressional support for a plan to accelerate the construction of 12 major transit projects in Los Angeles County," and this marks his third visit to DC in four weeks. Several other state and city leaders, as well as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are among those who will be attending the meeting on infrastructure spending. more ›

For the second year in a row, national statistics show that distracted driving had led to 5,474 deaths and 448,000 injuries on U.S. roads in 2009. That represents 16% of traffic fatalities across the country, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced today (.pdf). more ›

The chances of a stronger public transit system in Los Angeles took a big step today when U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced federal support for plans to bring a subway down Wilshire Boulevard and of the region's 30/10 plan, which would build 12 transit projects in 10 years. more ›

The Obama Administration this week made changes to how applications to the federal government's major transportation grant program, New Starts, will be evaluated. For Los Angeles, this could be a game changing move. more ›

Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Los Angeles last week and took a tour of the Gold Line Eastside Extension, which is expected to open soon (no date had been announced, though). The line will run between Union Station and East LA. "This whole rail line is way ahead what we are talking about in Washington," exclaimed LaHood. "This is what we mean by livable communities. You build it and they will come." more ›

"I think President Obama would like to be known as the high-speed rail president, and I think he can be," said Department of Transportation head, Ray LaHood this morning to National Public Radio in a report about stimulus funding and high speed rail. $8 billion is dedicated to the HSR vision and the radio program took note of California: more ›