Unused roadways provide opportunities for exploration and recreation.
In a slideshow on Jalopnik, Erin Marquis highlights some of the most scenic stretches of abandoned roads in the United States. Although now closed to cars for various reasons, these roads have, in some cases, become beloved community assets.
No two stretches of abandoned road are alike. Some have returned to nature, some serve as historic sites and other sit silently and forgotten besides busy roads, looking on at a future they never had or a past long removed.
The roads featured include parts of the former Route 66, which stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles and features kitschy diners and abandoned ghost towns, a stunning former highway that winds through red rocks in Arizona, Pennsylvania’s ‘Goat Path Expressway,’ a defunct suspension bridge in Arizona, and a former highway and popular biking destination above Los Angeles.
FULL STORY: America’s Lost Highways Are Beautiful Monuments To Our Garbage Infrastructure
New Jersey Governor Kills ‘Boondoggle’ Highway Expansion
Gov. Sherrill ‘right-sized’ the Newark Bay Bridge reconstruction project, nixing a second proposed bridge and road expansion.
‘Route 66 Rewind’ Uses AI to Bring Historic Route 66 Sites to Life
The “Route 66 Rewind” AI hub seeks to support the preservation of America’s “Mother Road” by inviting users to go on a virtual road trip along the U.S. Route 66.
Study: Cost of Expanding Roads Outweighs Benefits
New research shows that the economic benefits of roadbuilding projects don’t come close to exceeding most projects’ costs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association