The Alaska Department of Transportation and its consultants are working on a Planning and Environmental Linkages study of the Glenn-Seward Highway that bisects the middle of Anchorage, Alaska.
State transportation officials have presented a variety of concepts for a new high-speed highway that cuts through the center of the city, but there is growing consensus among members of the public and some local officials around less expensive options that could change how everyone gets in, out and around Alaska's largest urban area.
According to an article from Alaska Public Media by Jeremy Hsieh, “The flashiest idea calls for building a new highway bypass through the Airport Heights neighborhood with an elevated viaduct over park land.” But officials from the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS), the local metropolitan planning organization, say their long term plan involves rebuilding the roads with Complete Street elements in mind. “That would likely mean fewer vehicle lanes, lower speed limits, safer sidewalks, better crosswalks and bike-friendly improvements. The AMATS estimate for that is about $75 million.”
A preliminary list of project options are being refined based on public input. Concepts for a new high-speed highway alternative have been met with skepticism from members of the public and some local officials.
FULL STORY: Key Anchorage stakeholders skeptical of megaproject solutions to connect Seward and Glenn highways
Study: Cost of Expanding Roads Outweighs Benefits
New research shows that the economic benefits of roadbuilding projects don’t come close to exceeding most projects’ costs.
The True Cost of Texas Highways
An explainer of the monetary, environmental, and social costs of exuberant road building.
Critics Say New York Highway Expansion Plans Oppose Climate Goals
Plans to widen some roads are drawing backlash from transit advocates who say they will lead to an increase in congestion and truck traffic.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service