“The Department of Transportation has released a memo ordering that programs supported or assisted by the agency prioritize funding projects for communities that have above-average marriage and birth rates,” the HuffPost reports.

“Newly-confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy buried the oddly specific requirement by describing the Wednesday memo as focused on economic growth, rather than population growth, and echoed President Donald Trump’s criticism of programs to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.”

“The Trump administration is considering a move to halt New York City’s congestion pricing program,” the New York Times reports.

“No final decision has been made but President Trump had vowed to halt congestion pricing once he entered office, saying it was harmful to the city’s economy.”

“Obviously, it is not standard to have aircraft collide. I want to be clear on that.”

— Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, at a press briefing.

The White House told Fox News that President Trump will make a “big” announcement later today about infrastructure.

CBS News reports Trump will announce up to $500 billion in private sector investment to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States.

“Traffic on New York City’s busiest streets dropped by 7.5% and morning travel times fell on most major crossings into Manhattan during the first work week of the city’s congestion pricing plan, signaling that some motorists changed their driving patterns to avoid the new toll,” Bloomberg reports.

“The Biden administration is making its final major infrastructure spending announcement on Friday, devoting $5 billion to 560 projects across all 50 states, DC, and US territories,” Semafor reports.

“The money from the bipartisan infrastructure law will fund improvements to rail safety, intercity rail service, surface transportation infrastructure, and airports, and will expand EV charging stations.”

“Jetliners being accidentally blasted out of the sky has become the leading cause of commercial-aviation deaths over recent years, marking a new trend running counter to an otherwise improving safety picture,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

Rolling Stone: “Camera crews and local politicians and union members gather as if Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is giving out gold bars. And in a way, he is. Buttigieg, clad in his standard crisp white shirt and blue tie, is here to announce $196 million in funding to rebuild the bridge before it deteriorates further and forces expensive and unsafe detours through the area.”

“Buttigieg is on a farewell tour of sorts after the Democrats’ November defeat. He’s trying to connect the dots in his now-home state of Michigan between the Biden administration’s expansive infrastructure program and job creation for a working class yet to feel the post-pandemic economic recovery that long ago reached Wall Street.”

Wall Street Journal: “The epic collapse in New York shows how a fear of dramatic change can give the status quo stubborn power over those trying to solve some of America’s most intractable challenges. That leaves policymakers nibbling at the edges of deeply rooted problems, even after investing huge sums of money and political capital.”

Wall Street Journal: “Automakers are fixated on easing the practical concerns around electric-vehicle ownership, primarily high prices and charging hassles. But in the industry’s quest to persuade more Americans to consider EVs, a swath of the buying public could prove tough to convince: those opposed to EVs for political or ideological reasons.”

“I’m more attuned to all of the different ways you can have a good life, only some of which involve public life.”

— Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, quoted by NOTUS, in how parenthood has changed him. He wouldn’t say if he would continue in his current job if President Biden wins another term.

Politico: “Under the new rule, airlines can’t simply give the passengers a voucher for a future flight. The Transportation Department also issued a rule Wednesday intended to force airlines and third-party ticket bookers to disclose add-on fees for items such as checked bags.”

“It’s a significant advance for the administration’s tough-cop approach to the airline industry.”