Transportation Nation

The St. Croix River, with the Stillwater lift bridge in the foreground. (MPR Photo/Tom Weber)

(Minneapolis - MPR News)  One of the Midwest's longest running transportation disputes looks like it's getting longer.  Plans for a new bridge across the St. Croix River, beloved and protected by environmentalists, are back to the drawing board after a ruling that plans for the new bridge are "dramatic and disruptive."  They've been looking for the right way to do it for 50 years. Dan Olson from Minnesota Public Radio reports.

After years of cities and planners carefully building their own bike maps, based on vetted lanes Google is entering the business. We're now in the process of trying out their routes and data, and want your experiences in comments below. The web giant's maps are the basis of the iPhone's popular maps and directions, and it's asking users to submit bike their route data -- that could lead to a troubling mix of planned maps and rogue routes. Cities like San Francisco recently stepped into new ways to gather data, like this snazzy app Nathanael Johnson reports on.

The definition of distracted driving is expanding under the Obama Administration -- they're fighting talking and texting while driving, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has asked for a ban on just about everything behind the wheel.  Here's the secretary recently reciting his list, which includes combing you hair, putting make-up on and yes, shaving:

On Tuesday, March 2, Megan Mariah Barnes (right) helped LaHood's cause.  The 37-year old Florida woman crashed while "shaving her bikini area," according to the Key West Citizen. She was traveling 45 MPH -- within the speed limit -- but hit a car traveling about 5 MPH. The three people in the car Barnes hit were treated for minor injuries.

Even worse -- the day before the wreck, Barnes was convicted of DUI and driving with a suspended license., reports the Citizen. She faces a year in jail for Tuesday's collision.  So far, no word from Secretary LaHood on the incident. -- Collin Campbell

“The money doesn't trickle down to the economy like it should. Especially when the money's been earmarked for highway departments across this country, and the good old boy network is alive and well in those institutions.”  That's what what the owner of an African-American owned construction company tells us.  Minority communities have been hit hard by the recession, but they are receiving fewer of the stimulus project contracts doled out by the government.  MPR News' Dan Olson is following this story in Minnesota, where transportation officials failed to direct even 8.5 percent of road and bridge construction business to companies owned by women and minorities.  Today, The Takeaway looks at this nationwide.

Orange County Convention Center

(Orlando, FL - March 4, 2010)  This parking lot at the Orange County Convention Center could be the first stop on Florida's high-speed rail line, as it leaves the Orlando Airport and takes travelers to Tampa.  I took the trip, from airport to convention center, last night by taxi -- a miserable $34 experience punctuated by tolls and traffic.  The U.S. High Speed Rail Association is holding a conference here today, with what could be a historic gathering of train manufacturers, planners and politicians.  But one of the top local stories this morning is what Orange County Mayor Buddy Crotty may say when he speaks to the gathering.

(Minneapolis, March 2, 1010) — University of Minnesota officials say they won't take additional legal action against the Met Council over concerns about the Central Corridor light rail line proposed to run through the east bank campus.

Read the full story here.