To fund a wider I-70 on its route through Denver, the regional planning commission set aside $50 million in federal funds before considering other projects.
Plans to widen the I-70 in Denver to ten lanes have met opposition for being, according to this piece, a money-hog of questionable urban merit.
"Streetsblog looked into the funding mechanisms for one of the most expensive road projects in Colorado history, and it turns out that the I-70 widening is already diverting money from other priorities." That is, to the tune of $50 million. The project's overall starting cost amounts to $1.8 billion.
"DRCOG's [Denver Regional Council of Governments] decision prioritized widening the highway to 10 lanes instead of spending on projects that can improve safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or connect people to jobs via effective transit." To mitigate some of the expansion's more unsightly consequences, plans include a cap park that the mega-highway will tunnel under.
FULL STORY: I-70 Widening Has Already Diverted $50M From Smarter Transpo Projects
I-70 Highway Update May Exacerbate Segregation
A piece in The Nation argues a Denver highway plan will further shrink the black community in that city through the use of eminent domain.
'Highway Propaganda' Promotes Widening Projects
Apparently to galvanize public support, the Colorado Department of Transportation and an Ohio chamber of commerce have produced videos touting the benefits of widening projects for low-income communities.
Stormwater Improvements Linked to Freeway Project in Northeast Denver
The funding needed to complete the Two Basin Drainage Project in Denver would come as a package deal with a $1.2 billion plan to overhaul I-70. Residents are concerned that they might be getting more than they bargained for.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service