The Congress for the New Urbanism releases a Top 10 list highlighting the worst, most ready-to-be-junked urban freeways. New Orleans, Syracuse, and Detroit make the list. Boulevards are a viable and much-needed alternative, says CNU.
Back in the days of Robert Moses, it became a sign of progress to thrust freeways directly into and through American cities. A handful of grassroots groups fought back and stopped some freeways at the gates, but most cities gained elevated highways and lost historic neighborhoods. But there is a growing understanding that turning urban highway stubs into at-grade boulevards restores the urban fabric, opens up new and valuable infill opportunities, and still manages to move cars efficiently.
The Top 10 Freeways Without Futures are not ranked by CNU, but Claiborne Expressway in New Orleans is presented first and makes a compelling case. New York State, Robert Moses' bailiwick, takes up 3 of the 10 top slots with freeways in Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo. CNU selected the Top 10 by looking at factors such as the age of the freeway, the development potential, the timeliness of the project, and local support for the teardown.
Click through to cnu.org for the full list.
FULL STORY: CNU Selects the Top 10 "Freeways Without Futures" for 2014
Support Builds For Highway Removal in Saint Louis
St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board formally endorses the removal of elevated and depressed lanes of current I-70 ROW to reconnect city and arch grounds.
Rochester Shows Possible Future for Former Highways
A former freeway is undergoing a massive redevelopment that goes beyond highway removal to reconnect and revitalize surrounding areas.
What Will Highway Removal Funding Actually Fund?
The federal Reconnecting Communities program is aimed at supporting highway removal and reversing the damage caused by rampant freeway construction, but some watered down proposals from state agencies could fund road expansion instead.
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.
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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.
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