To fund a wider I-70 on its route through Denver, the regional planning commission set aside $50 million in federal funds before considering other projects.
Plans to widen the I-70 in Denver to ten lanes have met opposition for being, according to this piece, a money-hog of questionable urban merit.
"Streetsblog looked into the funding mechanisms for one of the most expensive road projects in Colorado history, and it turns out that the I-70 widening is already diverting money from other priorities." That is, to the tune of $50 million. The project's overall starting cost amounts to $1.8 billion.
"DRCOG's [Denver Regional Council of Governments] decision prioritized widening the highway to 10 lanes instead of spending on projects that can improve safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or connect people to jobs via effective transit." To mitigate some of the expansion's more unsightly consequences, plans include a cap park that the mega-highway will tunnel under.
FULL STORY: I-70 Widening Has Already Diverted $50M From Smarter Transpo Projects
I-70 Highway Update May Exacerbate Segregation
A piece in The Nation argues a Denver highway plan will further shrink the black community in that city through the use of eminent domain.
'Highway Propaganda' Promotes Widening Projects
Apparently to galvanize public support, the Colorado Department of Transportation and an Ohio chamber of commerce have produced videos touting the benefits of widening projects for low-income communities.
Stormwater Improvements Linked to Freeway Project in Northeast Denver
The funding needed to complete the Two Basin Drainage Project in Denver would come as a package deal with a $1.2 billion plan to overhaul I-70. Residents are concerned that they might be getting more than they bargained for.
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?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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