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How to Remove a Highway: A Guide for Urban Planners

Highways can be a major eyesore in urban areas, and they can also be a barrier to community development. But tearing down a highway is no easy task. There are a number of factors that can make it difficult, including the cost, the environmental impact, and the disruption to traffic.

However, there are some cases where it may be worth it to tear down a highway. For example, if a highway is causing significant traffic congestion or pollution, or if it is dividing a community, then it may be worth the effort to remove it.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the factors that can make a highway easier to tear down. We will also provide some examples of cities that have successfully removed highways.

Factors that can make a highway easier to tear down

  • The highway is not heavily used. If a highway is not carrying a lot of traffic, then it will be less disruptive to tear it down. This is because there will be fewer people who are inconvenienced by the construction.
  • The highway is in a poor state of repair. If a highway is in poor condition, then it may be more cost-effective to tear it down and rebuild it than to repair it. This is because the cost of repairs can add up over time, and the highway may never be as good as new.
  • The highway is located in an area that is not well-developed. If a highway is located in an area that is not well-developed, then there will be less opposition to tearing it down. This is because there will be fewer people who are affected by the construction.
  • There is a strong community consensus in favor of tearing down the highway. If there is a strong community consensus in favor of tearing down a highway, then it will be easier to get the project approved. This is because the government will be more likely to listen to the wishes of the people.

Examples of cities that have successfully removed highways

  • San Francisco, California
  • In the 1950s, San Francisco tore down a section of the Embarcadero Freeway that was dividing the city from its waterfront. The removal of the freeway opened up the waterfront to development, and it is now a popular tourist destination.

  • Seoul, South Korea
  • In the 1970s, Seoul tore down a section of the Cheonggyecheon Expressway that was causing traffic congestion and pollution. The removal of the expressway created a new park that is now a popular spot for recreation.

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • In the 2000s, Milwaukee tore down a section of the Park East Freeway that was dividing the city's downtown from its lakefront. The removal of the freeway opened up the lakefront to development, and it is now a popular destination for residents and tourists alike.

Conclusion

Tearing down a highway is a major undertaking, but it can be worth it in some cases. By considering the factors discussed in this blog post, you can increase the chances of success for your highway removal project.