Opinion
Let's Give New Orleans Our Tunnel
Civic activists and planners in New Orleans have a wacky idea for the 2.2-mile elevated section of Interstate 10 known as the Clairborne Expressway: Remove it and replace it with a surface boulevard. Obviously, someone needs to clue them in on the wonders of deep-bore tunnel boring machines.
Today a coalition of groups, including the Congress for New Urbanism, released a report that advocates for the removal of the elevated freeway, citing many reasons familiar to those following the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement debate.
As noted in the Times Picayune, the report states that "high-speed freeway travel through urban downtowns is not necessary for urban mobility, due to the close proximity of destinations. A highly connected urban street grid provides a better way to move traffic to the complex array of destinations in a city."
Here are before and after renderings from the report:
Yes, the Clairborne Expressway in New Orleans and the Alaskan Way Viaduct are situated in very different urban contexts. But the overarching concept applies equally to both: spending vast sums on single-purpose infrastructure for cars doesn't make sense any more.
Back in 2006 the Congress for New Urbanism published a similar report making the case for a surface option to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. A salient tidbit from that report:
They were as right about it then as they are now.
Today a coalition of groups, including the Congress for New Urbanism, released a report that advocates for the removal of the elevated freeway, citing many reasons familiar to those following the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement debate.
As noted in the Times Picayune, the report states that "high-speed freeway travel through urban downtowns is not necessary for urban mobility, due to the close proximity of destinations. A highly connected urban street grid provides a better way to move traffic to the complex array of destinations in a city."
Here are before and after renderings from the report:
Yes, the Clairborne Expressway in New Orleans and the Alaskan Way Viaduct are situated in very different urban contexts. But the overarching concept applies equally to both: spending vast sums on single-purpose infrastructure for cars doesn't make sense any more.
Back in 2006 the Congress for New Urbanism published a similar report making the case for a surface option to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. A salient tidbit from that report:
"Here is an alternative view. If people shop and use services closer to where they live, this is a positive contribution towards Seattle’s goals for vibrant neighborhoods and sustainability."
They were as right about it then as they are now.
