Skip to content

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

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."
podcast icon logo

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.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Please, Sir: Midtown Residents Want More Car-Free Space On Park Ave. Than DOT Is Offering

June 16, 2026

Lucky 13? Darializa Avila Chevalier Answers Questions That Rep. Adriano Espaillat Won’t

June 16, 2026

To Protect and Unnerve: Cop Hits Cyclist With Squad Car … In a Protected Bike Lane!

June 16, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: Bridge to the Future Edition

June 16, 2026

Dead Cyclist’s Best Friend Demands Action Against Illegal Vehicles on City Streets

June 15, 2026
See all posts