Calling for the Removal of Houston's Pierce Elevated Freeway

Houston's Pierce Elevated, a section of the I-45 freeway, is the latest target in the movement to remove urban freeways.

1 minute read

September 24, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"John Norquist, the former mayor of Milwaukee, said the elevated section of I-45 between Houston’s Midtown and Downtown should be eliminated in favor of a surface-level street," reports Ryan Holleywell.

Norquist, of course, is also well known for his leadership at the Congress for New Urbanism, not just the city of Milwaukee.

According to Holleywell, "His comments come at a time when the Texas Department of Transportation is considering moving I-45 east of its current downtown location and eliminating the Pierce Elevated."

The article includes more background on the freeway removal agenda pursued by Norquist and his colleagues. In July, Tory Gattis reported that a proposal to turn the freeway into an elevated park were no longer under consideration. Gail Delaughter reported in April about the I-45 alignment project that includes the proposal to remove Pierce Elevated.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 in The Urban Edge

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