As snow fell and rush-hour gridlock worsened in metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul, bus driver James Geiger couldn't see the road markings beneath the snow and slush -- but he kept rolling right down the shoulder.

As anyone who has sat in traffic in downtown Tempe knows, the city needs more public transportation options to decrease congestion.

Chandler's comprehensive citywide transportation plan, meant to keep local roads from grinding into gridlock over the next two decades, was set for a public airing Thursday evening.

For the past 10 years, Scottsdale resident Lisa Haskell’s mother has only been able to get around in a wheelchair. When she needs to leave her residence, she must rely on public transportation.

For the past 10 years, Scottsdale resident Lisa Haskell’s mother has only been able to get around in a wheelchair. When she needs to leave her residence, she must rely on public transportation.

Do what’s already on the books. Do a little more than planned. Or go for a massive and costly expansion of Scottsdale’s transportation system over the next two decades.

Do what’s already on the books. Do a little more than planned. Or go for a massive and costly expansion of Scottsdale’s transportation system over the next two decades.

Residents have voiced their concerns and hopes about getting around the city, and Scottsdale transportation officials are not far away from presenting possible solutions.

Residents have voiced their concerns and hopes about getting around the city, and Scottsdale transportation officials are not far away from presenting possible solutions.

One of the most humbling aspects about my role as a Chandler City Council member and pastor is the opportunity I have to meet and listen to people of very diverse backgrounds. Story after story, I realize how blessed we are as a community for being able to maintain quality services even during times of economic uncertainty. For certain groups or areas of the city, however, accessing these services can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are programs to assist these residents with their transportation needs.

For the first time, Arizona's State Transportation Board approved a state rail plan which includes connecting the major metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson by passenger rail. In a state known for its reliance on single-occupant vehicles and its lack of good public transportation, this is a crucial step forward for providing Arizonans with better transportation options.

Transportation in America was once an engine of progress and an inspiration for the future. Railroads opened the West and automobiles brought new mobility for a footloose nation after World War II.

Jack Sellers: For the past two years, the city has also been updating its Transportation Master Plan with many of the Next Twenty goals in mind. Now, we are seeking public comment on a draft of the plan’s final report.

Chandler transportation officials Thursday will get a first look at plans detailing millions of dollars in roadway projects that planners believe are vital over the next two decades.

Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona Department of Transportation and Valley Metro are holding a public presentation Tuesday to get feedback on proposed changes to a 20-year regional transportation plan to close a $6.6 billion highway funding gap. The changes would affect freeway and transit projects, using money from a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.

Mesa leaders are asking residents to head online to lend their thoughts on the city’s transportation outlook — input Mayor Scott Smith says is invaluable to creating a plan for the future that suits changing philosophies.

Scottsdale residents will be able to comment on a number of the city’s transportation plan findings, but the long-awaited report on light rail is still about a month away.

Elsewhere on this Web site is my story about how the tanking economy is kicking the legs out from underneath the financing of transportation/transit improvements. But could this revenue shortfall have been prevented, or at least the damage limited?

The majority of the debates were over and the start of early voting was set to begin in a little more than a week.

As the 10th annual Rural Transportation Summit wrapped up last week in Casa Grande, one theme was preached from the podium by many in the private and public sector who spoke: the future of the transportation landscape in Pinal County and all of Arizona will be shaped heavily for decades to come by studies currently under way.

Scottsdale is offering the public two chances to learn and comment about proposed changes to the city’s transportation network.

Decision-makers have known for months the bad economy has gutted Proposition 400, the 20-year half-cent transportation sales tax passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004. And now the bill has come due.