A new Senate bill includes $10 billion for cities that are considering removing urban freeways that could undo damage these projects inflicted on vulnerable communities decades ago.
Critics say these urban highway projects, often including sections of elevated roadways, were forced upon neighborhoods that lacked political clout during construction of the Interstate Highway System. Many of these roadway projects razed swaths of downtowns and waterfronts often inhabited by minority and low-income people.
The bill provides $10 billion to potentially alter or remove these roadways. It would also help pay for plans to redevelop strips of land reclaimed from their removal.
The concept was demonstrated when San Francisco’s Embarcadero Freeway was removed in 1991 after heavy damage resulting from a 1989 earthquake. That project freed 100 acres of waterfront property for development. Another more recent example is in Rochester, New York, where a segment of a sunken expressway that encircles the city’s downtown was removed, and the city is now considering removal of the rest of the loop.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 6, 2017
Seventy percent of contractors have trouble finding workers
AGC survey indicates that fewer companies may be able to bid on projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 5, 2017
New CTBUH initiatives to investigate link between fire and façades
In wake of Grenfell tragedy, Council forms new workgroup.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2017
U.S. markets with the largest hotel construction pipeline
New York has the largest hotel construction pipeline of any U.S. market.
Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017
Trump rescinds elevation requirements for federally funded buildings and infrastructure
Flood protection on subsidized housing, hospitals, and other public buildings rolled back.
Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017
Stormwater runoff mitigation pays off for some building owners
Rain gardens, green roofs, cisterns, and rainwater recycling add value.
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2017
Commercial properties address state carbon-reduction policies
EV charging stations, batteries, and microgrid technology are all part of effort to meet demand for cleaner power.
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2017
OSHA silica dust exposure enforcement begins Sept. 23
Vacuum dust collection, water-delivery systems, and respirators will be required.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2017
Cool roofs may increase air pollution
California’s requirement for cool roofs on new non-residential buildings could promote smog.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2017
Black market sales of OSHA training certifications plague New York City construction industry
Task force formed to get fake training cards off the streets and workers properly trained.
Codes and Standards | Aug 16, 2017
Big changes coming to Ontario building code
Proposals include solar-ready roofs, more stringent heating/cooling efficiency requirements, and graywater reuse.