Highway Expansion
Basics
Highway Planners Pause to Consider the Effect of Road Widening on Detroit Neighborhoods
Standard practice for the highway planners at state DOTs is to sacrifice all other concerns at the altar of fast car traffic. Nowhere has the effect been more obviously detrimental than Detroit, where the overbuilt freeway system helped hollow out one of America's largest cities. But highway planners in Michigan are starting to listen to people who say they want something different.
June 19, 2017
How to Spot a Highway Boondoogle
With the Trump Administration purportedly gearing up to spend $1 trillion on infrastructure, it's time for a refresher on the perils of highway boondoggles.
April 18, 2017
Who’s Gonna Get Stuck With the Bill for Seattle’s Highway Tunnel Misadventure?
Seattle's massive downtown highway tunnel, originally slated at $3.1 billion, is now expected to cost at least $4 billion when all is said and done. Who's going to pay?
April 7, 2017
Atlanta’s I-85 Collapse — Another “Carmaggedon” That Wasn’t
When a heavily-traveled section of Atlanta's I-85 collapsed in a fire last week, the traffic predictions were dire. But the highway disruption appears to be another case of "carmaggedon" that never materialized -- and that should inform the way we plan our transportation systems.
April 4, 2017
Highway Projects Won’t Save the Rust Belt
Highway mega-projects remain tempting to struggling cities and regions in the Rust Belt. But evidence shows they shift economic activity away from existing business districts and don't generate lasting improvements.
March 28, 2017
How Racial Discrimination Shaped Atlanta’s Transportation Mess
Racist fears hobbled transit in Atlanta two generations ago. Is the region finally learning from its mistakes?
February 8, 2017
Elon Musk’s “Plan” to Cure Traffic With Tunnels Is Terrible and Ridiculous
Musk's plan isn't new or innovative, and it wouldn't even solve the problem it's supposed to address.
February 7, 2017
Tampa Advocates Are Fighting Like Hell Against a $6 Billion Highway Plan
Grassroots advocates in Tampa are going up against Florida DOT in a highway expansion standoff with huge implications for the future of the city.
January 31, 2017
Wisconsin Highway Costs Exceed State DOT Estimates By Nearly 100%
Highway costs have nearly doubled WisDOT's projections, and the overruns will be even bigger for projects that are still in the works. But Governor Scott Walker isn't interested in reining in highway spending.
January 27, 2017
Louisville’s New $1.1 Billion Bridge: Empty at Rush Hour
The suburban commuters the Downtown Crossing bridge was built for don't seem to appreciate it that much. Traffic cameras show the costly new bridge nearly empty at rush hour.
January 19, 2017
