Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 5/2)

Lauren MayerWeekly News Digest

Hi all,

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

After four years leading the Highways to Boulevards program, Ben Crowther is leaving CNU to become the Advocacy Manager for America Walks. America Walks will join CNU in hosting the network, so it will have the support and resources of both organizations. Ben will be transferring the Google Group list serv over to America Walks so he can maintain it. There will be a momentary outage, after which the new Freeway Fighters list serv will become freeway-fighters@americawalks.org. Otherwise, everything else will remain the same. We’re looking forward to this new chapter for the Freeway Fighters Network!

Freeway Fighters news

Texas fights back against ever-widening freeways – Arkansas Times
Arkansas Times May 1, 2022
Even Texas is beginning to recognize that ever-widening freeways not only don’t ease traffic congestion, but also create more. 

A Freeway Rebellion Rises in the Unlikeliest of States: Texas | Planetizen News
Planetizen May 3, 2022
“Texas, with its wide-laned roads and supersized highways, seems like an unlikely place for a rebellion against the supremacy of American car culture.”

I-275 expansion: Last chance for Tampa Heights residents to voice their concerns | wtsp.com
WTSP.com May 3, 2022
Changes in the past have historically cut directly through neighborhoods, destroyed homes and created more highway noise in their neighborhoods.

New Urbanism director urges Tampa Bay to ditch ‘toxic battle’ relating to growth
The Business Journals May 3, 2022
The executive director of the Congress for the New Urbanism has seen his fair share of arguments related to population growth.

Are This Spur Freeway’s Days Numbered? – Milwaukee Magazine
Milwaukee Magazine May 4, 2022
Twenty years after the Park East Freeway was razed, the future of another Milwaukee freeway spur is coming under scrutiny.

‘Go away’: Turnpike plan leads to turbocharged tensions – NonDoc
NonDoc May 4, 2022
In late March, the Oklahoma State Capitol rotunda filled with a dissonant symphony of protesters chanting, “Go away, OTA!”

Should Stadium Freeway North be converted into an at-grade boulevard?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 4, 2022
When the Stadium Freeway North — Wisconsin Highway 175 — was built in the early 1960s, it split neighborhoods, demolished several blocks of homes and carved off the western edge of Washington Park.

Public asked to weigh in on Scajaquada Corridor options that would have generational impact
Buffalo News May 4, 2022
A decision could come this summer on what to do with the 3.6-mile Scajaquada Expressway (Route 198), with a range of options from keeping it to removing it altogether.

Latest plans unveiled for Scajaquada corridor | wgrz.com
WGRZ May 5, 2022
Over the years plans for what to do about the Scajaquada have been long on ideas, but short on community consensus.

More lanes might not fix Texas highway traffic, so what are the alternatives? | KERA News
KERA News May 5, 2022
Many Texans are unlikely to stop driving, so one solution might be rethinking how highways function.

Pasadena and Caltrans Reach Agreement to Relinquish 710 Freeway Stub to City – Streetsblog LA
Streetsblog LA May 5, 2022
One more nail in the freeway expansion project’s coffin. 

‘Real options’: Public reacts positively to Scajaquada Expressway options – Buffalo News
Buffalo News May 5, 2022
Around 200 people attended a public meeting on the future of the Scajaquada Expressway on Wednesday, displaying little of the skepticism or distrust that has so often reared its head in past attempts to arrive at a solution.

Residents will get a temporary park and a preview of the Inner Loop fill-in at ‘Live on the Loop’
WXXI News May 5, 2022
For a few hours next month residents will be able to experience what is possible when what remains of Rochester’s Inner Loop is gone.

Revisioning Highway 175 for good of neighborhood, not speeding cars in the heart of Milwaukee
WUWM May 6, 2022
A short spur of freeway that has jutted into the heart of Milwaukee for decades might, with time, be transformed.

Cover I-35 in Duluth? It’s been done before
Duluth News Tribune May 6, 2022
The future of travel on Interstate 35 through downtown faces a key hurdle later this summer.

A bid to stop freeway expansions in California hits a roadblock: Organized labor – Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times May 6, 2022
After more than 60 years and 15,000 miles of highway and interstate construction in California, momentum is growing to end the state’s freeway expansion era.