Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Talking Headways

Talking Headways Podcast: Those Roads Won’t Pay for Themselves

podcast icon logo
false

This week we’re joined by Kevin DeGood of the Center for American Progress, who along with Andrew Schwartz recently wrote a report called Advancing a Multimodal Transportation System by Eliminating Funding Restrictions. Sound too wonky? I call it the "Roads Don’t Pay for Themselves Report."

When approximately 5.5 percent of roads carry 55 percent of the traffic, you would expect them to support themselves. But even with conservative accounting, this report shows that’s just not true, especially in urban areas with larger maintenance costs.

We also get into the concept of "user fees," national transportation politics, and the prospect of "devolving" transportation funding to the states, which is a hot topic these days.

Take a listen to this week’s pod and please think multi-modally! And if you enjoy the show, give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher, where you can subscribe to get each week’s episode automatically.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

New Draft CA High-Speed Rail Business Plan is LESS Costly than the 2022 Plan

Want a chance to really weigh-in on CAHSRA planning? Here's your once-every-four-years-chance.

March 3, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

I feel like last week I was struggling to get 8 good, solid, non jokey headlines and this week so far the headlines are stacked!

March 3, 2026

Could Refurbished E-Bikes Be the Secret Weapon of the Livable Streets Movement?

A high-quality used market could be the boost America needs to get would-be riders off the sidelines and into the saddle, a new report argues.

March 2, 2026

New UCLA Report Looks into the High Cost to Build Parking

For new apartments, the research found that building required parking adds roughly $50,000 to $100,000 per unit, and disproportionately increases the cost to build smaller apartments.

March 2, 2026

Fresno’s New Active Transportation Plan Sets an Ambitious Course — Advocates Say Execution Will Be Key – Comments Due March 5

The draft ATP paints a hopeful picture of a Fresno, but advocates worry it reads more like a consultants wish list than a plan.

March 2, 2026

Driver Kills Two-Year Old Child in Mission Rock

SFMTA responds by repainting crosswalks. But once again things are following a familiar script.

March 2, 2026
See all posts