Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 8/19)

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.

Join us for our next Freeway Fighters Monthly Meetup. The meeting is on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 4:00 – 5:00pm ET. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85374450268.

Freeway Fighters News

Oregon Highway Expansion Facing Second Lawsuit for ‘Cumulative Impacts’
Streetsblog USA August 16, 2024
The Oregon Department of Transportation doubly violated federal law by not only refusing to study cost-effective alternatives as part of its plan to double the width of Interstate 5, but also not being transparent with the public about the impacts of the plan, according to court papers filed in a new suit against the project.

Highway Harms: In Virginia Cities, Rising Health Risks From Interstate Traffic 
WHRO August 16, 2024
On a Norfolk map, St. Paul’s Boulevard appears as a north-south arterial. 

Civil right lawsuit seeks to block I-94’s Milwaukee expansion. Opponents want more public transit
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 16, 2024
A civil rights lawsuit aimed at blocking the planned expansion of Interstate 94 on Milwaukee’s west side will be filed soon, proponents say.

This street was supposed to be ‘Fort Worth’s Champs-Elysees.’ What happened to it?
Star Telegram August 16, 2024
On a cloudy mid-August morning in 2001, Fort Worth’s powerful and prominent crowded into the Texas & Pacific train terminal on West Lancaster Avenue with jubilant optimism about the future.

I-94 expansion in Milwaukee project; opposition takes legal action
FOX6 News Milwaukee August 19, 2024
I-94 could expand to eight lanes in Milwaukee. The project is already approved, but organizations against the project filed a lawsuit on Monday, Aug. 19.

Midwest Environmental Advocates: Files lawsuit challenging federal approval of I-94
WisPolitics August 20, 2024
Today, Midwest Environmental Advocates and Legal Action of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on behalf of four environmental and social justice organizations challenging federal approval of a $1.75 billion plan to expand Interstate Highway 94 from six lanes to eight lanes between 16th and 70th streets in Milwaukee and to greatly expand the Stadium Interchange.

Highway that divided Syracuse decades ago is set to be demolished, reconnecting a neighborhood
CBS News August 21, 2024
When Interstate 81 was built in the 1960s, it sliced right through Syracuse’s Pioneer Homes — one of the nation’s oldest public housing communities, which had been built some three decades earlier.

Milwaukee Environmental Groups Sue to Stop Freeway Expansion
Planetizen August 21, 2024
A group of environmental organizations is suing the U.S. Department of Transportation at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in an attempt to stop the expansion of Interstate 94, reports Christina Van Zelst for Fox 6 Milwaukee.

Seattle’s complicated relationship with I-5 
Real Change August 22, 2024
Highways are ingrained into the fabric of American society, and without them, it’s hard to imagine how we would get to many of our essential destinations with such ease.

Toledo neighborhood opposing I-475 expansion calls on city leaders for help 
WTVG August 22, 2024
Toledo neighborhood opposing I-475 expansion calls on city leaders for help

Mayor Cavalier Johnson Talks Harm of Freeway Construction, Bronzeville During DNC Speech
Urban Milwaukee August 22, 2024
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson got his moment in the spotlight early Wednesday evening during the Democratic National Convention.