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Micheál Podgers

@michealpodgers.bsky.social
699 followers 278 following 1K posts

Yassssssifying infrastructure. 📍Chicago 👨🏻‍💻Urban Planner 🗣️ EN DE FR NL GA Professional account. All opinions my own.

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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
One of my hot takes is that the State Street Madison model of bus-priority multimodal streets is a great option for many Chicago commercial corridors. Because our bus network is on a grid it’s hard to divert. This creates safer streets and expands ped areas without transit disruption.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
You know where a fast lane, single direction bus only lane would actually be useful in Chicago ? Westbound Belmont from Sheridan to Sheffield.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
According to Al Jazeera G7 countries are releasing oil reserves and it sounds Iike Trump pressured them to do it. An oil based economy is proving to be incredibly fragile and there is going to be so much suffering from this war that could’ve been avoided by decarbonizing the economy a decade ago.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Traffic is quite literally a public safety hazard. This traffic builds up everyday in Edgewater. It’s all from drivers trying to get on DLSD. We can’t keep this up. The only solution is making DLSD a boulevard.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social @chicagompo.bsky.social is giving bus riders scraps. Plus, we don’t need testing of bus lanes. We know bus lanes (even rudimentary curb side ones) improve service. What we need is a commitment for lakefront bus rapid transit. Smdh @chicagocta.bsky.social
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I’m repping @climatecabineteducation.org at the Re-Amp annual meeting this week and, oh boy, this statistic is horrible: 1 in 10 midwestern earn under $15k but spend $4k on transportation. We desperately need to invest in cheap electric transportation and climate friendly transportation choices.
A presentation screen displaying the following statistic: Nearly 1 in 10 Midwesterners makes less than $15,000 before taxes. On average, those people spent over $4,000 on transportation.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The thing that stands out to me most about NYC compared to other major US cities is how many kids are running around. They are everywhere!
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
@nitachicago.bsky.social already proving its worth.
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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The Belmont Blue LIne ETOD Plan is accepting community feedback through Monday, August 31st. If you live/work/spend time nearby, make sure to share your thoughts here: helloinput.org/belmont-blue...
A satellite map of the area around Belmont with different pins showing ideas and concerns from community feedback.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
After some consultation, I’ve determined that if Irish speakers named months in Chicago, August (ga: Lúnasa) would be Mhí na Soicéadacha (en: Month of the Cicedas).
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cta @chicagocta.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A little bench can make a big difference! New, child-sized benches have been added at 10 CTA rail stations. These new benches reflect Acting President Nora Leerhsen’s vision to create a more family-friendly transit system.
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Stacey Burns @wentrogue.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Jennifer Nelson’s entry to this year’s Minnesota State Fair crop art
A localized version of Guernica with a loon at the center and a person holding an ICE OUT sign 

“My piece was inspired by Picasso's Guernica, a work that was his response to the Nazi's bombing of the Basque town. I thought there was a fitting parallel between these incidents about the high price paid by ordinary people when aggressive regimes try out new tactics of war, as well as a fitting juxtaposition of the darkness of living such an experience and the light we shone through it in our own resistance and care for one another. The patterns near Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s mouths are actually their last words in Morse code: ‘I’m not mad at you,’ and ‘Are you okay?’” 

Jennifer Nelson
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We have to solve the climate crisis yesterday. Today is the next best option. But, damn, we cannot wait until tomorrow.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Every hotel designer is like “here’s the light switch.”
Text: Every hotel designer is like (in quotes) here’s the light switch. The attached image depicts a famous MC Escher drawing of insectoid creatures navigating and impossibly complex series of stair cases. The punch line being that hotels always have unreasonably complex designs and UX for basic things such as lighting.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Chicago Park District would never. @mayorofchicago.bsky.social @chicagompo.bsky.social
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 19/08/2026
Parents, what would you do with four hours of child-free time? 
We launched a Parents’ Night Out program with NYC Parks to give NYC parents a little time back for themselves, because we’re committed to making it easier to raise a family in the greatest city in the world.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The breeze was sublime.
The interior of a vintage Mexico City streetcar operating along the F Line in San Francisco. The vintage streetcar is brightly lit in a warm hue. The interior is painted is deep jungle green and rich cream. The aesthetic is electric-deco punk. The photo uses the grated windows to create a single vantage point.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I grabbed the F Line in San Francisco tonight and hoped on a Green Hornet without even realizing. Only realized when I got off and noticed the Chicago details. What a beautiful piece of transit. It’s such a shame we ripped out out streetcars instead of adapting them. Excellent ride. Thanks, MUNI!
A vintage “Green Hornet” CTA streetcar running on the F Line in San Francisco. The vintage streetcar features a rich celery green, orange, and cream livery.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Genuinely a shame MUNI hasn’t been able to invest in the cable cars to better function as hyper-local transit and a really fabulous piece of heritage transit. Consolidate some stops, build some proper stops with normal fare payment…
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
There’s a very real chance I’m the only passenger currently riding the Powell-Hyde cable car right now to actually get somewhere and not for tourism purposes.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Ok, final Chicago Loop urban design take for today: pedestrianize Monroe. It’s an unconventional choice, but it’s located right between the two best E-W bus corridors (Wash/Madison, Adams/Jackson) and centrally in the Loop and connects right to the train stations and Millennium Park/AIC.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
While we’re at it, the existing Loop Link on Washington and Madison should be extended west to Halsted and we should add a third east-west on Adams and Jackson. If we’re gunna funnel a bunch of bus routes into downtown on the same corridors we need to give them dedicated lanes.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
CDOT and the @chicagocta.bsky.social could easily replicate the Loop Link on Clark and Dearborn between Polk and Division and on Grand and Illinois between Wells and Navy Pier. Each street hosts multiple bus routes and bike lanes and has the space for a road diet. Such low hanging fruit.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
It’s frankly a miracle we have any benches anywhere on the @chicagocta.bsky.social. And every station needs quadruple what’s currently there. This includes on platforms and in station houses and outside stations. Put up benches everywhere!
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Jared Rutecki @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The Chicago Transit Authority’s board of directors approved an array of new efforts aimed at aiding passengers who need shelter or healthcare, as well as new crisis and community violence intervention programs.
news.wttw.com
CTA Board Approves Slate of Social Service Outreach Efforts Focused on Violence Intervention, Homelessness
The Chicago Transit Authority’s board of directors approved an array of new efforts aimed at aiding passengers who need shelter or healthcare, as well as new crisis and community violence intervention...
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Survey closes TODAY (08/11/2026). Take and share!
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🚨 IDOT Survey 🚨 IDOT is conducting is regular survey of residents. This information is extremely useful for advocates who are pushing the state to prioritize transit, biking, walking, and other choices. It’s closes Tuesday 8/11. illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/public-feedb...
illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com
Public feedback requested for IDOT’s annual transportation survey
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🚨 IDOT Survey 🚨 IDOT is conducting is regular survey of residents. This information is extremely useful for advocates who are pushing the state to prioritize transit, biking, walking, and other choices. It’s closes Tuesday 8/11. illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/public-feedb...
illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com
Public feedback requested for IDOT’s annual transportation survey
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SideStreets @sidestreets.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
IDOT is asking whether we should expand our state freeway system, which already goes through downtown buildings and bulldozed countless neighborhoods. Survey due tomorrow: illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/public-feedb...
Survey Research Office
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD

Which of the following statement best describes your opinion regarding the highway system in Illinois?

I believe that good quality highways are an important part of the transportation system in Illinois and that Illinois should continue to expand the highway system.

I believe that good quality highways are an important part of the transportation system in Illinois and that lllinois should focus on maintaining the current highway system.

I believe that the highway system in Illinois meets an acceptable condition, and additional expansion is not necessary.

I do not believe the highway system is an important part of the transportation system in Illinois and highway funding should be cut.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Thrilling news from Detroit/Wayne County Michigan this week. A referendum asked votes to approve a millage (property tax) to fund SMART regional transit services in all of Wayne County (as opposed to each municipality opting in or out). The millage also increases funding for Detroit city buses.
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Matt Burb @mattburb.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Wayne County Transit Passes: a🧵, 1/8 The Wayne County countywide transit millage passed yesterday, which means that for the first time since April 24, 1995, SMART's service area now covers every square inch of the tri-county area (Oakland went countywide in 2022, Macomb has always been countywide).
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
It’s amazing what you can do on a 66’ wide street when you remove parking. Almost all Chicago streets are 66’ wide with few exceptions. This segment of Lincoln shows what’s possible. But we won’t be able to do this most places until we kill the parking meter deals and buy back our spots.
A segment of Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square with protected two-way bike lanes and wide sidewalks where the street was narrowed and parking removed.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
It’s trust wild how disgusting Western Ave is with the amount of truck traffic (and general traffic). There is an intense diesel haze just permeating the area.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I loved this story (and the writing) from Dan O’Keefe. open.substack.com/pub/opemilwa...
This is a screenshot of text from an article that chronicles the collapse of Schlitz Beer (it was management and ownership). It reads: Dick Schimmel (who later donated 2 million rosaries around the world, because what else are you going to do in retirement?) gave his thoughts: ‘Since Schlitz closed its Milwaukee brewery… it now stands as empty and deserted as a ghost town. The proposed merger with Heileman was a disaster and left thousands of families permanently out of work, not to mention the adverse effect on the state and local economy.

‘A museum would be the ideal solution. Visitors from around the world could visit this once large and prosperous brewing complex… Then in about 15 years, I could take my great-grandchildren through this museum and show them where I worked for 31 years as a salesman and in every department of the brewery. I could explain to them that at one time this was the largest brewery in the world, but was followed by bad management and bad product.

‘I would also explain to them that this beer was so good that it made a city famous.’l
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Rail Passengers Association @railpassengers.org · 21/07/2026
An 11% bump in Amtrak ridership compared to last year and more than 700k street car passengers equals a big win for public transportation in Kansas City during the World Cup.
twp.ai
www.kshb.com
Union Station reports 400,000+ visitors during Kansas City World Cup 2026
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Incredible news from BBC: “The world is on an "unstoppable" shift towards renewable energy but the phase down of fossil fuels is not happening quickly enough, a new report says.” The bad news is investments in fossil fuels are twice as high as they should be.
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twist @pvdork.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
For the commuting 9-to-5ers who may have missed it over the weekend: there’s a new CrossTowner trip planner feature, courtesy of @stevevance.net. Quantify what #BuildTheTunnel could do for the trips you’re already making. stevevance.github.io/buildthetunn...
stevevance.github.io
CrossTowner Trip Planner — Build the Tunnel
Plan any Chicago-area rail trip and compare it today versus with the proposed CrossTowner regional-rail tunnel.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
@wgntv.com reported on polling that shows @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson has only the slimmest path to victory. And his low polling and fundraising indicates it would take a miracle for him to pull it off. But here’s the deal: he may be progressive, but he’s failing. He needs to drop.
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Miser @misernyc.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Reminder: It's been a very long fight versus very awful people, but New York celebrates the community win on 31st Street this weekend:
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The forecast versus the haze. I’m so glad regions that previously didn’t experience forest fires are now being forced inside in the middle of the summer because oil barons want their money. Meanwhile, politicians kill transit projects and green energy projects and sustainable housing practices.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Just going to put this out there: but @mayorofchicago.bsky.social told transit advocates yesterday they need to compromise. Today Chicago is covered in wildfire smoke, a direct result of climate change warming. Transportation is the single largest source of GHG emissions in Illinois. SMDH
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Micah @rincewind.run · 16/07/2026
I know a lot of the focus here has been on the Dems who voted not to cut aid to Israel but I think “the majority of the caucus voted to cut aid” is a monumental sea change in Dem politics and the movement here is only going in one direction this is the most Dem support Israel will ever see again
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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
For better or worse it appears that there are about 300 daily runs that aren't going out across the rest of the system. We need to seriously look at automating the Blue Line and reallocating operators from Rosemont and Forest Park to other terminals to boost service reliability systemwide.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Overall, just a really disappointing display from @mayorofchicago.bsky.social. He’s taking way too much credit for wins he didn’t achieve. He struggled to answer questions off-the-cuff. He seems to have no clear vision for the city.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Did @mayorofchicago.bsky.social just say he’s fighting for the legalization of sex work? I’d love to see that, but boy I haven’t seen him talk about that. He needs to really start matching his rhetoric with his actions, because they’re fundamentally not matching.
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Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social continues to say the right things on the stump. Honestly, he’s not half bad on the stump. But his rhetoric while campaigning and his actions in office just don’t match up. He’s dropped the ball so many times in office and i just dont have confidence in him to deliver.
chicagompo.bsky.social
Chicago Mayor's Press Office (@chicagompo.bsky.social)
The official press office account for Mayor Brandon Johnson. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases.html
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David Weiskopf believes in you @dave.bzky.team · 15/07/2026
With PJM prices at approximately eleventy bajillion dollars per electron, now is great time for more affordability solutions in Pennsylvania:
climatecabineteducation.org
Pennsylvania Solar and Affordability - Climate Cabinet Education
District-by-district briefs on how a Pennsylvania community solar program could lower energy bills for families across the Commonwealth.
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David Weiskopf believes in you @dave.bzky.team · 15/07/2026
There is a lot of energy around pausing/slowing/banning data center growth. That energy arises from mismatches between the business model and the regulatory systems we have. Our report addresses those root causes so that if/when those pauses end, we don't get the same bad outcomes.
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Caroline Spears @spears.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
2/3: Wednesday 7/22 @ 5pm: Join lawmakers and @climatecabinet.org for a panel on climate solutions as affordability solutions, including IL House Leader Robyn Gabel and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado. RSVP: luma.com/mcni7220
luma.com
Climate Solutions Are Affordability Solutions: An Illinois Case Study · Luma
For the first time more Americans say they are struggling than thriving. Families’ day-to-day costs keep rising with little relief on the horizon. Higher bills…
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