Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 5/9)

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.

The May Freeway Fighters Meetup will be Thursday, 5/19 from 5-6pm ET. We have a bunch of new people who’ve joined us since the public unveiling of the Freeway Fighters Network website so if you’re new, come say hello! On the agenda for the meeting is:

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Summer Programming/Webinars
  • Future Working Groups for the Network
  • Updates, Local and National

Direct Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98909635295
Calendar invite: https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=MXM1ZTBwaG5jOXBkbjVqajh2cTYzYzd2Y3MgYmVuQGFtZXJpY2F3YWxrcy5vcmc&tmsrc=ben%40americawalks.org

In financing news, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities webpage is now live at: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/reconnecting-communities. The grant applications are not open yet (target date is Summer 2022), but USDOT will be hosting a webinar for potential applicants to get ready for the forthcoming grant program on 5/19 at 1:30pm ET. Register at: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Q-ogmbFDRhCrjJTuVYqdZw

Freeway Fighters news

The Ongoing Opposition to I-45 Expansion – Texas Signal
Texas Signal May 7, 2022
The Houston-based expansion of the Interstate-45 Highway has been in the works for decades, but the controversial project continues its lengthy delay as local activists remain steadfast in their opposition.

An anonymous group is taking it upon themselves to create crosswalks in Los Angeles
NPR One May 9, 2022
Despite what you may have heard, people do actually walk in Los Angeles, and pedestrians are suddenly finding crosswalks appear in places where there weren’t any before. 

Advocates pushing to remove Scajaquada Corridor – Spectrum News
Spectrum News May 11, 2022
First, the Kensington Expressway. Now, the Scajaquada Corridor — or 198 — is under the microscope as community leaders seek to make it safer and greener.

Environmental groups file official protests to block $4.7B Turnpike extension widening – nj.com
NJ.com May 12, 2022
A coalition of eight environmental groups filed a formal rule making petition, challenging the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s $4.7B proposal to widen the Hudson County extension to and from the Holland Tunnel while it is in the permitting process.

Environmental coalition files petition to block Hudson County Turnpike expansion – nj.com
NJ.com May 12, 2022
The pressure on state transportation officials to call off a planned expansion of the Newark Bay Hudson County Extension of the Turnpike was turned up Thursday morning when a coalition of environmental groups submitted a petition opposing the project to two state agencies.

The continuing relevance of Every Place Counts
Public Square May 13, 2022
CNU led visioning sessions sponsored by US DOT in four cities in 2016, representing a landmark recognition of the wrongs committed in the name of in-city highway building.