Opinion: Hit the Brakes on Dallas Freeway Plan

A proposal to bury a Dallas freeway may not be the best way forward for the area’s residents.

1 minute read

February 22, 2023, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Dallas, Texas

D Guest Smith / Shutterstock

An opinion piece by Chad West, who represents Dallas City Council District 1, in The Dallas Morning News calls on Dallas stakeholders and the Texas Department of Transportation to delay TxDOT’s proposal to ‘bury’ a portion of Interstate 345 after the agency called removing the freeway altogether ‘unfeasible.’

Critics of this proposal say the decision to simply entrench a portion of the 10-lane road 65 feet below ground perpetuates a prioritization of vehicle traffic at the expense of pedestrians and public space. The plan includes proposals for pedestrian walkways and public spaces, but some critics aren't convinced that it will do enough to stitch the neighborhood back together.

West lays out three major reasons to assess more options: property taxes, quality of life, and justice and dignity. For West, removing the freeway that divides and isolates the primarily Black and Latino Deep Ellum neighborhood is the only way to start redressing the negative impacts the road had on the area.

Although the freeway segment in question is not in West’s district, West writes, “we should be looking for every way possible for the city to alleviate the property tax pressures on our residents while reducing the high cost of distance between our daily destinations; building jobs closer to housing and housing closer to jobs.”

Friday, February 17, 2023 in The Dallas Morning News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Colorful blocky apartment building facade.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software

Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

April 1 - Stateline

Silver electric BMW car parked in driveway of home in Oakland, California.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers

Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

April 1 - City of Oakland

Sculpture of seated Jane Goodall holding hands with chimp on green lawn.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action

Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

April 1 - Pasadena Star-News