Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 7/3)

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.

In funding news, on 7/5 the Department of Transportation announced that it is now taking applications for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program. The streamlined program, combining both the Reconnecting Communities program and the Neighborhood Access and Equity program, will make it easier to submit an application and increase opportunity for communities that are seeking funding for projects that address harm from past infrastructure planning decisions, accelerate equitable community revitalization, and improve access to everyday destinations. The deadline for applications is September 28th, 2023. Learn more.

Freeway Fighters News

Study: Two-Thirds of Americans Know Highway Expansions Don’t Cure Traffic
Streetsblog LA – Streetsblog USA July 1, 2023
More than two-thirds of Americans understand that the highway expansions happening in their backyards won’t fix congestion as local pols often claim— and many want those officials to stop spending money on projects that endanger their families, a new poll finds.

Duluth Photos Featured on Twitter’s “Cars Destroyed Our Cities”
Perfect Duluth Day July 2, 2023
A friend let me know that Duluth recently appeared on Twitter’s Cars.Destroyed.Our.Cities, an account that shows how the addition or removal of car infrastructure can dramatically change the urban environment.

Asphalt Addiction: Wisconsin’s Highway Funding Dilemma – Shepherd Express
Shepherd Express July 3, 2023
Almost everyone who has traveled Wisconsin highways, whether for commuting or for pleasure, has likely encountered an occasional bone jarring, vehicle rattling and tire challenging ride over rough and pothole covered pavement.

Survey: Americans Don’t Support Road Expansions | Planetizen News
Planetizen July 4, 2023
A new survey from Transportation for America (T4A) reveals that a vast majority of American voters don’t think expanding roads and highways is the best way to solve traffic congestion, according to a T4A blog.

Growing pains: What the I-15 expansion will mean for Utah – Deseret News
Deseret News July 6, 2023
As the Utah Department of Transportation prepares its first draft of the environmental impact statement for its Interstate 15 expansion, community members and organizers are fighting to have their voices heard.

‘Reconnecting Communities’ grant applications expanded – Route Fifty
Route Fifty July 7, 2023
State and local agencies could get a slice of up to $3.35 billion to repair problems created by highways, rail lines and other infrastructure that divides communities, the Biden administration announced this week.

Molina Acosta: Let’s get rid of the highway – The Minnesota Daily
The Minnesota Daily July 7, 2023
When he was a student at the University of Minnesota, José Antonio Zayas Cabán had to walk across Interstate 94 every day to get to campus.