Freeway Cap Book Manuscript Online for Review and Comment

The first comprehensive manual for planning, funding, and building a freeway cap is put online for review and comment.

2 minute read

May 27, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


Nearly every major city is contemplating reconnecting neighborhoods divided by a highway built under The Federal Highway Act. Many cities already have one or more parks or civic buildings built over FHWA funded highways.  Some of the more notable projects include the Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (Boston aka “The Big Dig”), the Klyde Warren Park (Dallas), Bartle Hall Convention Center (Kansas City), and Freeway Park (Seattle).  However, as cities are again popular places to live, there has been even greater interest in covering the highways that divide and pollute urban neighborhoods. Many of these highways were built in trenches that evoke visions of covering them with parks, civic buildings, or even private development. 

Freeway benefits to the surrounding communities include:

  • Increased property values
  • Increased density and housing
  • Increased retail sales
  • Increased hotel development and occupancy
  • Increased area jobs
  • Increased property tax, payroll tax, hotel tax, and sales tax revenue
  • Improved park and recreational opportunities
  • Improved air quality

However, there is little documentation on how to accomplish these large and daunting projects.  This is the circumstance confronting participants of local movements to build over a highway or freeway, and this was the circumstance encountered by the author of a draft book on the subject as he participated in a San Diego movement to reconnect the city’s urban park (Balboa Park) and urban neighborhoods with downtown over Interstate 5.  He decided to document what he learned in a guide book.  He has put his first draft online to share what he has learned and to source additional information from those who might have useful information to contribute to the effort.  

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in UrbDeZine

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business