Freeway Fighters Digest (week 1/9)

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.

CNU’s Public Square recently published articles about two different freeway removal campaigns in Georgia. There are two freeway cap proposals being discussed in Atlanta, GA and a grant application to remove a flyover ramp in Savannah, GA. Do you want to write about freeway fighting in your community? Reach out to lmayer@cnu.org with your article proposals. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Freeway Fighters news

Widening Highways Doesn’t Fix Traffic. So Why Do We Keep Doing It?
The New York Times January 7, 2023
Interstate 710 in Los Angeles is, like the city itself, famous for its traffic.

Eyes on Milwaukee: I-94 Expansion Public Comment Deadline Extended
Urban Milwaukee January 7, 2023
Have an opinion on the proposal to expand Interstate 94 between N. 16th St. and N. 70th St? The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is giving the public more time to comment formally on the $1.2 billion project.

This Portland Folk Singer Set Induced Demand to Music – Bloomberg
Bloomberg.com January 7, 2023
If you’re a regular CityLab reader, you may have heard of the concept of induced demand: Widening highways can actually make traffic worse. But have you heard it like this? 

Why do we keep widening highways? It only worsens traffic congestion. – Arkansas Times
Arkansas Times January 8, 2023
The New York Times weighs in on one of my favorite topics — the insanity of building ever wider freeways at enormous cost when they only worsen traffic congestion.

Hartford highway project could cost $17 billion, take 15 years – CT Insider
CT Insider January 8, 2023
If brought to fruition, it could be the most ambitious public works project in Connecticut this century, a radical redesign and reconstruction of the infrastructure in the core of the capital region. 

ACT government told in 2013 lowering Parkes Way would create 25 urban blocks
The Canberra Times January 9, 2023
The ACT government was told nearly a decade ago lowering Parkes Way would create enough new land to cover the costs of the major project and the government would even receive an extra windfall from the sales.

Widening crowded highways: Bigger isn’t better – Autoblog
Autoblog January 10, 2023
Solving the ongoing traffic nightmare that has frustrated Southern California’s commuters for decades is an issue that fascinates drivers across the country. 

Why Do We Keep Widening Highways When We Know It Doesn’t Improve Traffic? – Jalopnik
Jalopnik January 10, 2023
The concept of induced demand is far from new at this point. It’s been around since at least the 1960s, and we’ve reported on it for years. 

Council Approves Formation of ‘Reconnecting Communities Task Force’ to Address Use of …
Pasadena Now January 11, 2023
With Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo calling it a “moment in time,” the City Council Monday unanimously passed a historic motion to form the Reconnecting Communities Task Force. 

TxDOT identifies ‘preferred alternative’ for I-35 Capital Express Central Project – CBS Austin
CBS Austin January 11, 2023
TxDOT identifies “preferred alternative” for its I-35 Capital Express Central Project.

TxDOT’s I-35 plans for Austin are out. You had questions, and we have answers.
KUT.org January 11, 2023
The Texas Department of Transportation is getting ready to expand the busiest section of the busiest highway in Central Texas.

Six Reasons the Metro Board Should Not Approve 57/60 Freeway Widening
Streetsblog LA January 11, 2023
The Metro board has a big decision this month: will they accelerate construction of the agency’s SR-57/SR-60 Interchange Improvements Project?

Growth and a proposed highway divide a bucolic Utah community – The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune January 11, 2023
Dropping into the Heber Valley is like finding a slice of heaven — there’s the wild and winding Provo River, verdant green fields and spectacular views of Mount Timpanogos, the second-highest peak in Utah’s Wasatch Range.

Is bigger better? What you need to know about Utah’s proposed I-15 expansion.
The Salt Lake Tribune January 12, 2023
It’s been more than two decades since NeighborWorks Salt Lake set up shop in the Guadalupe area with the aim of revitalizing the west side.

Highway expansion only steers Edmonton further away from sustainability – The Gateway
The Gateway January 12, 2023
Instead of investing in public transportation or sustainable infrastructure, the province has invested $100 million to expand the Henday from four to six lanes. 

City Announces Study to Reimagine Cross-Bronx Expressway – CityLand
CityLand January 13, 2023
On December 19, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of a community-driven study to improve the Cross-Bronx Expressway. 

Editorial: Does the Grand Parkway go on forever? Does the road ever end?
Houston Chronicle January 13, 2023
There aren’t too many people who remember how things used to be before major highways snaked through northwest Houston.