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

Wednesday’s Headlines

Breaking: Building transit is good for transit ridership.

March 11, 2026

Trump’s Funding Freeze Has Derailed Transit, Undermining Growth and Economic Opportunity For All Americans

American cities used to have some of the longest per-capita rail networks in the world. Not anymore.

March 10, 2026

Caltrans Rips out Oakland Bike Lanes

Caltrans proves once again that it's run by bad actors who betray the public in their relentless pursuit of auto-über alles policies.

March 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

Plenty of news at the statewide and local level.

March 10, 2026

Legislative Update: Our First Comprehensive Look of 2026

Our first comprehensive look as the legislature starts advancing bills.

March 9, 2026

Bike Updates: Griffith Park, Chandler, Terra Bella, and Westside Plans

Griffith Park bike upgrades partially installed. Plus: Terra Bella Street, Chandler groundbreaking, and Westside bike project meetings.

March 9, 2026
See all posts