Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 1/17)

freewaycreativeWeekly News Digest

Hi all,

Here is what is being said about the Highways to Boulevards movement this week. If you come across any articles, feel free to share and please let me know if you have any questions.

A pair of tweets this week embody the capacity for change that everyone here is striving for. In Portland, thanks to the work of No More Freeways PDX and their allies, the FHWA reversed their Finding of No Significant Impact for ODOT’s I-5 Rose Quarter expansion. In Duluth, supporters of the Duluth Waterfront Collective refused to be ignored at MnDOT’s public meeting on the future of I-35. It’s beyond encouraging to see the progress everyone has made advancing transportation solutions that focus on community and look beyond highways.

Highways to Boulevards news

In Bolivia, a controversial road crosses one of the world’s best-preserved biomes – Diálogo Chino

Diálogo Chino January 15, 2022

A road expansion project in the Chiquitano dry forests of Bolivia will also affect indigenous communities, who question its costs and benefits.

Questions, and Some Answers, About Caltrans’ New Complete Streets Directive …

Streetsblog California January 15, 2022

Caltrans recently issued a new Complete Streets directive that commits the state transportation department to including “complete streets elements” in all of its projects.

The downtown Dallas I-345 connector is a lifeline for many, so handle with care

Dallas Morning News January 16, 2022

When the Interstate 345 connecter was built in downtown Dallas in the 1970s, it cut through the street grid and destroyed important Black neighborhoods.

Another city reconsiders a divisive freeway like I-30 – Arkansas Times

Arkansas Times January 17, 2022

I know. I’m shouting in the wind in Arkansas, where the prevailing sentiment says there’s no freeway that can’t be improved by making it wider, no matter how high the cost in dollars, damage to a community or impact on traffic elsewhere.

South San Francisco opposing expansion on Highway 101 | Local News | smdailyjournal.com

San Mateo Daily Journal January 19, 2022

South San Francisco councilmembers this week expressed a desire not to see a lane added to a 9 mile stretch of Highway 101 that partially runs through the city, citing increased pollution from vehicles that could affect nearby neighborhoods.

Nearby residents voice concern with the Kansas Expressway expansion project – KY3

KY3 January 19, 2022

A Springfield physician filed a second lawsuit against the Greene County Commission for fraud and ecological harm concerning the Kansas Expressway expansion project.

‘Purple Line’ would alleviate I-5 congestion without widening freeway, veteran … – Bike Portland

Bike Portland January 19, 2022

As we know, the Oregon Department of Transportation says the answer to the traffic on I-5 between the Rose Quarter and OMSI is to expand the freeway.

Homeowners voice concerns about U.S. 23 expansion cutting through farmland | 10tv.com

10TV January 20, 2022

Concerns over expanding U.S. 23 from Franklin County to Waldo in Marion County created so much public outcry that the Ohio Department of Transportation added two additional public hearings.

Another Voice: New infrastructure legislation delivers for Western New York – Buffalo News

Buffalo News January 21, 2022

A new era of federal investment in our environment is here, and Western New York is uniquely poised to benefit.

The Most Important Part of Dismantling an Urban Freeway – D Magazine

D Magazine January 21, 2022

An op-ed in the Dallas Morning News reminds us that a great urban neighborhood won’t ‘magically’ sprout from the ashes of I-345. So the city and its partners need to start planning what that looks like.

Rose Quarter I-5 expansion needs updated re-evaluation: feds – KOIN 6

KOIN 6 January 21, 2022

Months after officials approved widening Interstate 5 at the Rose Quarter, the Oregon Department of Transportation is now required to reevaluate the economic and environmental impacts of the project before legally proceeding.

ODOT must redo Rose Quarter project environmental analysis, feds say – KGW

KGW January 21, 2022

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has rescinded its approval for the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter project and asked the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to produce an updated Environmental Assessment.

Federal Officials Order ODOT to Reevaluate Environmental Impacts of Rose Quarter Freeway Project

Portland Mercury January 21, 2022

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) must update its environmental assessment for the proposed changes to the Interstate-5 corridor through the Rose Quarter, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) decided this week.