Freeway Fighters Digest (week of 3/14)

freewaycreativeWeekly News Digest

Here is what is being said about the Highways to Boulevards movement this week. If you come across any articles, feel free to share and please let me know if you have any questions.

Highways to Boulevards news

State commission next week to discuss driverless vehicles, transportation impacts on communities

My Edmonds News March 12, 2022

Current efforts to reconnect and revitalize communities that have been divided by transportation construction projects is one of the topics of discussion when the Washington State Transportation Commission meets virtually next week.

 

Austin Wants Mass Transit, but the New Infrastructure Law Will Give It a Bigger Highway – WSJ

Wall Street Journal March 13, 2022

Multibillion-dollar transportation projects in this Democratic stronghold of Republican Texas show how tough it will be for President Biden to accomplish his goal of shaking up federal infrastructure investments.

 

Welcome to the Move Ahead Washington Era | The Urbanist

The Urbanist March 13, 2022

The final hours of the 2022 legislative session on Thursday night brought the last votes needed to bring the Move Ahead Washington transportation package to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk.

 

Opinion: Why would anyone put highway frontage roads in our Downtown? – El Paso Matters

El Paso Matters March 14, 2022

Downtown El Paso is unlike any other part of our city – it is a compact, connected, walkable and historic area that serves as a central gathering place for all members of our community.

 

I-35 expansion could destroy a 70-unit affordable housing complex. TxDOT didn’t notice at first.

KUT.org March 15, 2022

The Texas Department of Transportation overlooked a 70-unit affordable housing complex when tallying how many homes could be destroyed by a move to widen Interstate 35 through Central Austin.

 

State panel: No new federal funds for highway expansion | Local&State | bendbulletin.com

Bend Bulletin March 15, 2022

The Oregon Transportation Commission has decided that the state’s share of flexible funds from the federal government should not go toward new highway expansion projects.

 

If Only There Were an Infrastructure Bill to Deal With This Oil Crisis – The American Prospect

The American Prospect March 15, 2022

By pouring money into fossil fuel infrastructure, the bipartisan law is already showing its tragic inadequacies.

 

$412 million in federal funding shouldn’t focus on freeways, transportation commission says …

Bike Portland March 15, 2022

A press release from ODOT last week about a meeting of the Oregon Transportation Commission raised eyebrows here at BikePortland headquarters.

 

As state considers repairs to I-94, Rondo residents look for reconnection

MPR March 16, 2022

Efforts to restore the historic, largely Black neighborhood should include people most impacted by freeway construction.

 

Biden’s push for an infrastructure presidency risks sacrificing Black communities – The …

The Washington Post March 17, 2022

In his first State of the Union address March 1, President Biden closed the door on a trillion-dollar economic and civil rights agenda and snapped Democratic politics back into an ancient and unfortunate shape.

 

SXSW 2022: US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Austin | kvue.com

KVUE March 17, 2022

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Austin Wednesday to see some of the city’s transportation projects and discuss infrastructure for the future.

 

SXSW 2022: Pete Buttigieg rides on Austin public transit, talks ‘climate decisions’ in travel – Austonia

Austonia March 17, 2022

Returning for his second year in a row at SXSW 2022, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took to the stage for a town hall with festival-goers to talk about sustainability in transit, job growth and reconnecting communities.

 

Congressional reps to JB: Road expansion won’t solve traffic jams, will make inequities worse

Streetsblog Chicago – Streetsblog NYC March 17, 2022

Illinois governor JB Pritzker has said he wants our state to be a leader in the fight against climate change.

 

What are the true costs of building more highways in Florida? | Column – Tampa Bay Times

Tampa Bay Times March 17, 2022

In the never-ending drive to build a more prosperous economy in Florida, highways are often seen as an essential vehicle.

 

Concerns surrounding future of buildings lining I-35 as TxDOT moves forward with expansion plans

KXAN March 17, 2022

The Texas Department of Transportation continues to move forward with its plans to expand Interstate 35 through downtown Austin between U.S. 290 East and State Highway 71/Ben White Boulevard.

 

Pete Buttigieg discusses I-35 expansion, high-speed rail project | The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune March 18, 2022

In car-friendly Texas, getting a major high-speed rail project off of the ground is almost impossible.