Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 1/31)

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.

Highways to Boulevards news

Can a new bridge help Oregon reach its climate goals? – Portland, Oregon – Eminetra

Eminetra January 30, 2022

Oregon and Washington’s transport authorities are planning to replace five dilapidated interstate highways over the Columbia River, so critics and regional leaders have set Oregon’s carbon reduction targets.

 

Highway Funding Bait-and-Switch – WSJ

Wsj.com January 31, 2022

If you hoped President Biden’s infrastructure spending might bring a smoother drive to an area near you, it’s worth reading the latest fine print.

 

NY Governor Hochul announces investments to reconnect communities divided by … – Archinect

Archinect February 1, 2022

In her recent Executive Budget address, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state will inject nearly $3 billion towards infrastructure projects that “promote equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities all across New York State.”

 

“Solving” Congestion Creates Worse Problems – Streetsblog California

Streetsblog California February 1, 2022

Transportation for America hit the proverbial nail on the head with today’s post about bigger problems that arise when transportation funding prioritizes “solving” congestion.

 

What Can One Teenager Do About Climate Change? Adah Crandall Will Find Out – VICE

VICE February 1, 2022

A teen climate activist in Portland is setting the tone for transportation debates for decades to come with her mission to stop highway expansion.

 

Feds Throw Wrench Into Oregon Highway Widening – Streetsblog USA

Streetsblog USA – Streetsblog NYC February 2, 2022

Much to the delight of a large coalition of Oregon Department of Transportation critics, the federal government has given them another assignment before graduation.

 

Ron DeSantis ignores racist history of urban planning – The American Independent

The American Independent February 3, 2022

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, attacking the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, told reporters on Tuesday that he didn’t see how highways and other roads could be racially discriminatory.

 

Louisville, Ky., Built the Tollway Portland Dreams of. It’s Empty. – Willamette Week

Willamette Week February 3, 2022

More than five years ago—not long after Oregon and Washington’s last failed attempt to build a new bridge between the two states—a progressive city and the Clark County to its north succeeded in opening a $1.3 billion bridge expansion.

 

State DOTs Can and Should Build Housing To Mitigate Highway Impacts – The Good Men Project

The Good Men Project February 3, 2022

If OregonDOT is serious about “restorative justice” it should mitigate highway damage by building housing.

CA Bill Would Outlaw Freeway Expansions through Environmental Justice Communities …

Streetsblog California February 4, 2022

Assemblymember Cristina Garcia’s A.B. 1778 would do what advocates, academics, the state Air Resources Board, and state and even federal transportation agencies have been saying needs to be done: get the state to stop building new and expanding existing highways.