Results: Transpo on the Ballot- Strong Support for Transit Initiatives in 2016
The November elections saw major wins for transportation infrastructure projects in the United States. 56 of the 82 ( or 68%) of the initiatives proposed in cities, counties and states passed. NYU's Rudin Center for Transportation has created a map (below) of the ballot measures that were voted on with the results highlighted.
On the map, green indicates that a measure was passed, yellow indicates that data is not yet available, and red indicates that a measure did not pass. Hover over an area to read about the ballot measures proposed.
Some of the nation's most notable transportation wins are seen in Seattle, Los Angeles County, and the State of New Jersey.
In Seattle, voters passed Sound Transit 3, a $54 billion initiative to add 62 miles and 37 stations of light rail in the next 25 years. The initiative will include more commuter trains and bus lines and will see a light rail extension to both Everett and Tacoma, two of the most populated areas in the Seattle metro-region.
In Los Angeles County, voters passed Measure M which will expand public transit service throughout the City and in outlying suburban areas. The measure is an ambitious effort to expand light rail services with funding generated from a sales tax of half a penny on every dollar spent in the county. The project includes a tunnel to connect the San Fernando Valley and the Westside, easing traffic congestion along the 405 freeway, as well as transit lines extending to the suburbs of Artesia, Claremont, Torrance, Whittier and South El Monte.
In the State of New Jersey, voters approved Question 2 to amend the state constitution and dedicate all revenue from state gas tax to the Transportation Trust Fund, ensuring that the money is used only for transportation purposes. The Transportation Trust Fund is the contract authority which allows the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation to advance capital projects.
You can view the ballot text here courtesy of Ballotpedia.org.