Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 2/21)

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

Harvard design students reimagine US interstate highway system – Harvard Gazette

Harvard Gazette – Harvard University February 19, 2022

The assignment wasn’t simple, but it was relevant: Find ways to help communities around the country address racial injustice created by the nation’s biggest infrastructure project — the U.S. interstate highway system.

 

Invest in equitable green infrastructure – The Mac Weekly

The Mac Weekly February 19, 2022

On November 15th, 2021, the Biden administration signed into law the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

 

Don’t Widen Highways, Invest $2 Billion in Affordable Housing Instead | The Urbanist

The Urbanist February 19, 2022

Move Ahead Washington is a big improvement over past state transportation packages but it still doesn’t do enough when it comes to addressing the state’s climate, racial equity, and mobility justice goals.

 

Report Criticizes El Paso Interstate Expansion Plan | Planetizen News

Planetizen February 19, 2022

A third-party review of the Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to expand Interstate 10 through downtown El Paso “found expanding I-10 in the Downtown area would not reduce congestion, instead it would bring more short local trips onto the freeway,” reports Jennifer Cuevas.

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Seattle residents drive movement to tear out Highway 99 in South Park

The Seattle Times February 20, 2022

Halfway across South Park’s “little bridge,” a pedestrian walkway spanning Highway 99 near South Henderson Street, the noise of traffic below sometimes reaches 110 decibels.

 

Getting There: Proposals to ‘undo the historical damage’ in East Central by reconnecting …

The Spokesman-Review February 22, 2022

When construction began on Interstate 90 in the late 1950s, hundreds of homes were demolished to make way for the highway.

 

Analysis: Expanding I-10 Downtown El Paso wouldn’t solve congestion

El Paso Times February 23, 2022

El Paso residents have voiced concerns the highway expansion will not reduce congestion, as TxDOT claims, and is an unnecessary use of taxpayer funds.

 

His climate push stalled, Biden looks to infrastructure law – E&E News

E&E News February 23, 2022

The infrastructure deal passed last year by Congress was written to address climate change over the long term. But increasingly activists see it as one of President Biden’s best tools for cutting emissions right away.

 

State Transportation Budget Proposals Advance Major Seattle Projects | The Urbanist

The Urbanist February 24, 2022

As the House and Senate transportation committees prepare to get their unified Move Ahead Washington transportation package through their respective houses, they are also moving to update the state’s two-year biennial transportation budget adopted last year.

 

Residents Call for Highway Removal in Seattle Neighborhood | Planetizen News

Planetizen February 24, 2022

Residents of Seattle’s South Park neighborhood are calling on the state to remove a stretch of highway that community members argue creates air and noise pollution and uses valuable urban space that could be developed into housing, parks, or other uses.

 

Minority communities in Houston may lose homes, buildings due to freeway project – CBS News

CBS News February 24, 2022

A booming spike in Houston’s population is making traffic terrible.