The long-sought after demolition of Bronx's Sheridan Expressway hits obstacles as the City of New York now looks to save and retrofit it.
Tearing down urban freeways and expressways is a strategy that has been growing in popularity around the world. Most famously implemented in San Francisco after the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway, the project's success gave other cities the impetus to tear down antiquated and little-used stretches of highway.
As Sarah Goodyear of The Atlantic Cities writes, the Bronx's Sheridan Expressway "...was number two on the Congress for the New Urbanism's list of "Freeways Without Futures," and it made the Urban Land Institute's short list of potential teardown projects as well..."
But, the City of New York recently reversed the decision to demolish the road, citing "concerns about truck traffic headed for the nearby Hunts Point Produce Market, the city's main wholesale outlet for fruits and vegetables, as well as other potential traffic problems." The city, instead, is looking to retrofit the aging highway.
Residents are fighting back, stating that preserving the Expressway is only going to be used as an incentive for a grocery delivery service to the Bronx over concerns of the citizens, inciting a fight between the needs of industry and those of the citizens.
Article author Sarah Goodyear also points out that "[o]nce a freeway is in place, it takes on a life of its own, an aura of inevitability...antiquated roads like this one still have brute staying power."
FULL STORY: Freeway Removal Hits a Roadblock in the Bronx

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.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie