Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 8/12)

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 Department of Transportation has released the 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program Fiscal Years 2024 – 2026 funding. Join for the “RCP Capital Construction Webinar” webinar on Tuesday, August 20 at 2–3:30pm ET. Register here.

Freeway Fighters News

Reconnecting neighborhoods: Kansas City, Missouri signs deal for 71-Highway project
KCTV5 August 10, 2024
 Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Friday morning city officially signed the deal with Hg Consult, Incorporated to complete their goal of reconnecting downtown with neighborhoods off 71-Highway.

Freeway opponents file yet another lawsuit over Portland highway widening project
Oregon Public Broadcasting August 10, 2024
Opponents of a plan to widen Interstate 5 through Portland’s Rose Quarter are once again suing, arguing that federal officials illegally greenlit the project without closely analyzing its environmental toll.

States Claim Highway Expansions Reduce Emissions
Planetizen August 12, 2024
Federal funds aimed at reducing carbon emissions are being used for highway expansion projects, according to an analysis from Transportation for America.

Here’s How to Debunk the ‘Need’ for Destructive Road Widenings 
Streetsblog USA – Streetsblog NYC August 12, 2024
When state transportation agencies widen a highway, they tend to put out a buzzy press release about all the exciting new “improvements” that are coming to the road, without any mention of how disastrous that “upgrade” will really be for the climate, safety, and equity in our communities.

Portland I-5 Expansion Environmental Study Fell Short, Suit Says
Bloomberg Law News August 13, 2024
Portland, Ore., community advocacy groups and neighborhood associations allege a billion-dollar interstate expansion plan for the city failed to adequately consider the project’s environmental impact.

Share your thoughts this week about Syracuse’s future ‘vision plan’
Syracuse.com August 13, 2024
Do you have an opinion about the future of Syracuse streets and neighborhoods?

Portland Rose Quarter freeway expansion faces second lawsuit 
KOIN 6 August 14, 2024
Six local organizations filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration in an effort to stop the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, alleging the agencies violated environmental standards.

Boondoggle: State And Feds Are Dumping Yet Another Giant Highway on The Bronx
Streetsblog New York City August 15, 2024
More highways in the Bronx? No thonx!