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

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

47 minutes ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of passengers on transit bus at night.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort

Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Man sitting on bench sillhouetted against golden hour trees in tranquil park.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies

Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of gold-covered New Jersey state capitol dome in Trenton, New Jersey at dusk.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms

The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.

3 hours ago - New Jersey Monitor