A planned expansion of Interstate 70 through Denver might have federal approval, but a growing coalition of local groups and state political leaders are pushing back on the idea.
"Denver-based state lawmakers say a panel will take a fresh look, in response to residents’ concerns, at the environmental impact and other effects of the planned $1.2 billion expansion of Interstate 70," reports Jon Murray.
The Elyria-Swansea Neighborhood Association also has $5,000 worth of grant funding ready to pay for "research, community outreach and other activities surrounding" the I-70 project and another in the area—the expansion of the Globeville Landing Outfall on the South Platte River as part of the Platte to Park Hill storm drainage plan. Both would dig into contaminated Superfund sites.
The following articles detail the events from approval of the I-70 project to the latest announcement:
- I-70 project through northeast Denver receives final approval from Federal Highway Administration (The Denver Post)
- A Green Light for Denver's Controversial Highway (CityLab)
- Colorado Aims to Expand a Main Artery, but Beleaguered Neighbors Balk (The New York Times)
- I-70 expansion in north Denver target of lawsuit (The Denver Post)
- Activism, lawsuits could delay or derail the massive I-70 expansion in Denver — but are they long shots? (The Denver Post)
The question now is whether the growing opposition and skepticism toward the plan is enough to derail it.
FULL STORY: State legislators set to probe I-70 project through Denver as environmental impact gets more attention
Denver Freeway Widening Plans on Hold
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s plan to widen the Interstate 25 freeway through Denver is one of a few plans to widen urban freeways under consideration in the United States.
Plans to Expand I-25 Through Denver
Colorado transportation officials are making plans for a major overhaul of a five-mile stretch of Interstate 25, one of Colorado’s busiest highway corridors.
USDOT Denies Portland Freeway Expansion Grant
The agency declined the Oregon Department of Transportation’s request for $750 million to fund the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.
To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.
California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines
The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.
Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.
NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities
Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.
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.
City of Prescott
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
CORP - COnsulting Research Projects
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners