A new chapter in San Francisco's freeway saga.
After the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 in San Francisco, the Embarcadero Freeway was razed, replaced with a multi-modal roadway that included a promenade and streetcar line. Now The Embarcadero's cousin, The Central Freeway as it was known, also damaged.
Now known as the new Octavia Boulevard/Central Freeway connection, the project has a long history dating back to when it was damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. Unlike the other damaged freeway, the Embarcadero, this freeway was rebuilt and continued to operate in its original capacity. However, San Francisco, never at a loss for civic activism, decided the fate of the freeway at the ballot box.
"It took three ballot measures -- in 1997, 1998 and 1999 -- to reach a decision. And then more than a dozen designs were presented to the public for review and debate. Caltrans was responsible for rebuilding the freeway; the city was in charge of the Octavia Boulevard component. Combined, they cost $62 million."
Thanks to Irvin Dawid
Read the full story: Boulevard of dreams, the premiere Hayes Valley freed of freeway -- city ready to celebrate
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development
In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.
California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain
After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority