Department of Transportation

Passengers on United Flight 661 were stranded on the tarmac for seven hours due to a thunderstorm, leading to its cancellation. In the first five months of 2026, 342 domestic flights experienced tarmac delays exceeding three hours, with 2025 holding the previous record of over 700 such delays. Airlines prioritize tarmac delays to free up gate space and maintain schedules, but severe weather and air-traffic control shortages exacerbate the issue.

The Department of Transportation plans to replace the ban on overland supersonic flight with a noise limit, allowing faster-than-Mach-1 flights over land if noise remains below a specified threshold. This change, outlined in an FAA notice in the Federal Register, could enable 3-hour flights from Los Angeles to New York City.

Los Angeles is short $1.7 billion for its 2028 'car-free' Olympics, as federal funding requests for public transit infrastructure have fallen far short of the $2 billion sought. Congressional approval of smaller sums and delays in Biden-era transportation grants have raised concerns about meeting infrastructure deadlines, with lawmakers and officials warning of safety risks and inefficiencies.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from imposing grant conditions tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. Cities including Seattle, Cleveland, and Portland argued the conditions unlawfully diverted grant funds from transportation, housing, and public safety programs, seeking over $2 billion in relief.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from suspending funding for the Hudson Tunnel project, ruling the freeze violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge cited President Trump's statements suggesting the funding suspension was political retribution against New York City politicians, deeming the decision arbitrary and capricious.

Pasadena is inviting residents to walk Craig Avenue as part of a city-led workshop to gather feedback on the Greenways Project, a traffic-calming initiative. The Department of Transportation will host the event to identify issues with the residential corridor.

The Trump administration's Department of Transportation proposes updating federal vehicle safety rules to allow autonomous vehicles without brake pedals or steering wheels. The change aims to remove regulatory barriers for companies like Tesla and Zoox, enabling faster deployment of robotaxis. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supports the move, citing the need to modernize standards for driverless technology.

A severe storm caused flooding and power outages in Beverly and Morgan Park, leaving 1,800 homes initially without power and damaging infrastructure including street lights and trees. City crews addressed the damage, and officials urged residents to report storm-related issues.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber accused the Trump administration of attempting to deceive the agency over the Penn Station redevelopment plan, citing a lack of MTA involvement since the project was taken over by federal authorities. Lieber criticized the Trump Department of Transportation and Amtrak's selection of a master developer and disputed the need for the MTA to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that would relinquish control over part of the station.

Five people died on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in May and June, prompting the Department of Transportation to implement emergency safety measures such as installing high-friction road surfaces, reviewing passing zones, and considering speed cameras, alongside increased enforcement and citations.

New York City's Department of Transportation proposes a 63-block bus lane on Manhattan's 6th Avenue to accelerate bus speeds for 51,000 daily riders. The plan includes offset and curbside lanes, aiming to address current slow speeds (as low as 3.5 mph for local buses). The project is part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's broader efforts to expand bus infrastructure.

The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed installing bus lanes on Brooklyn's Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue to improve bus speeds and safety. The project, part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration, aims to enhance the B6 and B82 bus routes, which serve 80,000 daily riders, and includes Vision Zero safety measures to reduce traffic fatalities.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is actively supporting his son-in-law Michael Alfonso's campaign for a Wisconsin House seat, prompting accusations of abuse of office and using influence to secure an endorsement from President Trump. Critics argue Duffy's actions, including campaign funding from transportation interests and Trump's endorsement, constitute unethical manipulation, while his spokesperson claims the support is in a personal capacity.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Janette Sadik-Khan and Melanie Hartzog to fill MTA board vacancies. Sadik-Khan and Hartzog, both with city government experience, will join Dan Garodnick and David Jones, who are to remain on the board. The appointments aim to advance Mamdani's campaign promise of free city buses.

A Los Angeles Fourth of July parade was canceled due to budget cuts from Mayor Karen Bass' office, which organizers claim forced them to pay $20,000 for city services previously provided free. The Sunland/Tujunga/Shadow Hills Rotary Club expressed frustration over the costs and delayed communication with city staff, while Rutland, Massachusetts also canceled its July 4th celebration over public safety staffing shortages.

The Pentagon is seeking military members for President Donald Trump’s birthday party with specific fitness requirements, a judge ordered Trump’s name removed from the Kennedy Center, a federal judge blocked a $1.8 billion insurrectionist fund, Trump plans to headline a MAGA fair with performer dropouts, and the Department of Transportation invested $466 million in Union Station upgrades.

The Department of Transportation is launching a new website to monitor progress on a $12.5 billion modernization initiative for the nation's air traffic control system. This tracking platform aims to provide transparency on the sprawling upgrade effort.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is testifying before the House Appropriations Committee regarding President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request for the Department of Transportation, which seeks $26.6 billion in funding. The testimony occurs amid rising airline ticket prices caused by a jet fuel shortage linked to the Iran war.

A 6-inch gas line was struck during construction on Sepulveda Boulevard near LAX on Wednesday night, causing significant traffic disruptions that continued into Thursday morning. The incident occurred on the 9600 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester, prompting Department of Transportation response.

Senate Democrats questioned Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about a cross-country road trip he took with his family, which was filmed for a reality TV series. The trip was commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed concerns about the trip.

Drug driving reoffending is five times higher than drink driving, indicating a significant increase in drug-related traffic offenses. This suggests a growing concern for road safety and potential need for stricter regulations. The exact causes and implications of this trend are not specified in the given content.

A White House cybersecurity official emphasizes the importance of identity security as AI becomes more integrated into federal IT, and government agencies need to focus on regulating and monitoring network access. Nick Polk highlights that AI models still require trusted access to exploit vulnerabilities. Federal identity security is becoming increasingly critical in the age of AI.

A watchdog group asked the Department of Transportation Inspector General to investigate Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's participation in a reality series with his family. The group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, wants to know who paid for their participation. The investigation is related to Duffy's appearance in 'The Great American Road Trip' reality series.

Illegally modified e-bikes reaching speeds of 70mph are causing deaths on roads. These high-speed e-bikes pose a significant threat to road safety. The issue is prompting calls for stricter regulations and enforcement.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy faced criticism from former Sec. Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten Glezman Buttigieg over their upcoming reality TV series 'Great American Road Trip'. The Duffys fired back, defending their project as wholesome and patriotic. The feud centered around the funding and timing of the series.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy faced criticism from former Sec. Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten Glezman Buttigieg over their new reality TV series 'Great American Road Trip'. The Duffys fired back, defending the project as entirely funded by a nonprofit and celebrating America's 250th birthday. The feud highlighted political tensions between the two couples.

Drivers are being blamed for littering on main roads, with sweet wrappers, drinks containers and fast-food packaging being the most common items found. This issue affects 99% of main roads. Campaigners are speaking out against this behavior.

Airline fuel costs increased by 56 percent in March, according to the Department of Transportation, with a total fuel expenditure of $5.06 billion for U.S. scheduled service airlines. This sharp spike occurred in the first full month after the outbreak of the Iran war. The increase is a significant development in the aviation industry.

Spirit Airlines' shutdown has resulted in approximately 94,000 customers being rebooked by the country's four biggest airlines since Saturday. The closure is affecting airports across the U.S., leaving some without daily air service. This situation is being monitored by the Department of Transportation.

The Department of Transportation announced that most airlines are capping ticket prices for Spirit Airline travelers who need to rebook canceled flights, aiming to prevent price gouging. This measure ensures that affected passengers do not face excessive charges when rescheduling their trips.

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) demands a federal investigation into how Modou Ngom, a truck driver who allegedly fraudulently obtained a commercial driver's license and U.S. citizenship, caused a fatal accident killing an Ohio family. Ngom, arrested after a deadly crash on Interstate 71, is accused of using false identities to evade immigration enforcement and secure official documents for decades.

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) is demanding a federal investigation into how Modou Ngom, a truck driver accused of fraudulently obtaining a commercial driver's license and U.S. citizenship, caused a fatal crash that killed an Ohio family. Ngom allegedly used multiple identities to evade immigration enforcement and acquire official documents, prompting calls for systemic reforms in immigration and trucking oversight.

Democratic California gubernatorial candidates criticized the Trump administration's push for English proficiency tests for truckers as racist, while Republican candidate Chad Bianco accused Democrats of playing the 'race card.' The Department of Transportation withheld $40 million from California over non-compliance with English language standards for commercial driver licenses, following a fatal crash linked to an illegal immigrant driver with poor English proficiency.

Democratic California gubernatorial candidates criticized Trump administration's push for English proficiency tests for truckers as racist, while Republican candidate Chad Bianco accused Democrats of exploiting racial issues. The debate follows federal funding cuts to California over non-compliance with English language standards for commercial driver licenses, linked to fatal crashes involving immigrant drivers.

Senate Democrats, including Maria Cantwell, Tammy Duckworth, and Ed Markey, have demanded an investigation into FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford's stock divestment, alleging it violated his ethics agreement. They asked Department of Transportation Deputy Inspector General Mitch Behm to examine evidence of potential misconduct.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a new AI system designed to assist air traffic controllers, emphasizing that the technology will not replace human workers. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency while maintaining human oversight in air traffic management.

The Trump administration agreed to release federal funding for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Second Avenue subway extension following a lawsuit to restore the funding. A Department of Transportation spokesperson confirmed that President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy approved the decision.

Democrats are opposing President Trump's plan to erect a 250-foot arch in Washington, D.C., labeling it a 'Christian Nationalist' monument and launching legal challenges. The project faces criticism over cost, symbolism, and alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, with Democrats arguing it lacks congressional approval.

Democrats are opposing President Trump's proposed 250-foot 'Arc d'Trump' arch in DC, labeling it a 'Christian Nationalist' monument and launching legal challenges over its construction. Critics argue the project lacks congressional approval and diverts taxpayer funds, while Trump defends the initiative as part of his executive order to beautify DC.

The FAA faces a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, with a 6% decline over the past decade. To address this, the Trump administration is launching a campaign targeting gamers for recruitment ahead of the April 17 hiring window. Challenges remain in training qualified candidates.