Highway Widening

Aerial view of freeway crossing river in Sacramento, California with colorful sunset sky in background.

Tollways for Sacramento?

Road pricing terminology can be confusing, particularly since Californians see so little of it. For example, a Sacramento TV station calls proposed express lanes on Interstate 80 from Solano County to Sacramento a ‘tollway.’

November 20, 2023 - KCRA

A dirt road turns int he foreground while Half Dome looms majestically in the background.

$3.1 Billion for California Transportation Infrastructure

Federal and state funds were recently awarded to a large number of road projects around California.

August 27, 2023 - CalTrans

Highway Widening

Maryland Highway Widening Plans Moving Forward Under New Governor

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is differentiating his new administration from his predecessor’s, but some projects, like the widening of federal highways in the Capital Beltway, stay the same.

August 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

A map view of K-10 where it cuts across Johnson County, Kansas.

Tolling Gaining Traction for Highway Projects in Kansas

After the state broke ground on a tolled express lane project at the eastern edge of Kansas, near Kansas City, tolls are also under consideration in the nascent stages of a corridor study located at the southwest edge of the same region.

August 21, 2023 - Shawnee Mission Post

The Las Vegas Strip, pictured at night with lights and illuminated and Las Vegas Boulevard congested with cars.

Infrastructure Bill’s Emission Reductions Allotments Fund Highway Projects Instead

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 promised to achieve major progress on emissions reductions and climate resilience. A total of 38 states used the bill to fund emissions- and pollution-producing car-centric infrastructure instead.

August 6, 2023 - The Washington Post

Vintage filtered photo of Interstate 405 North and South sign

Toll Lane Rebellion Fails to Materialize in Southern California

The 405 Express Lanes will open in Orange County later this year despite the warnings from a former Huntington Beach mayor of a resident-led rebellion in response to road pricing. But will the toll lanes mitigate congestion? Academics weigh in.

July 25, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

An image taken from the point of view of a driver on a mostly empty freeway, with large overpasses overhead.

Missouri to Spend $2.8 Billion Widening I-70

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson had a $859 million vision to expand I-70 in key parts of the state. State legislators had an even more ambitious vision.

May 9, 2023 - The Kansas City Star

A map of the area of Virginia near Occoquan, Virginia shows. stretch of Interstate 95 that will be widened.

I-95 Widening Breaks Ground in Virginia

A mile-and-a-half-long section of Interstate 95, which handles 80,000 vehicle trips a day, will be expanded in Virginia. The project includes a new shoulder, lighting, and noise walls.

May 1, 2023 - WTOP

A highway sign reads with directions to reach San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south--both on Highway 101.

101 Freeway in California Slower Than Ever After Widening, Locals Say

Induced demand strikes again.

April 19, 2023 - Streetsblog SF

Highway Widening

Maryland Toll Road Project Loses Key Operator Amid Lawsuits, Shifting Political Landscape

The loss of toll operator Transurban could be a death knell for the controversial I-495/I-270 Managed Lanes Project in Maryland.

March 12, 2023 - The Washington Post

An image taken from the point of view of a driver on a mostly empty freeway, with large overpasses overhead.

Induced Demand Be Damned: Missouri Governor Proposes I-70 Expansion

Highway widenings still attract support from both sides of the political aisle, despite the inadequacies of the approach in solving the problems it intends to solve.

January 23, 2023 - The Kansas City Star

A man operates a yellow roller to smooth out fresh pavement on a road.

Construction Set to Begin on $1.6 Billion Highway Widening in Texas

Construction is expected to begin on the Southeast Connector highway widening project near Fort Worth in the spring and wrap up in 2027.

December 8, 2022 - The Dallas Morning News

U.S. Capital

No Bragging Rights for Passing the Infrastructure Act?

You'd think the passage of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure act would convey bragging rights for Democratic congress members facing competitive midterm elections today. Ironically, Republicans who opposed the bill are taking credit.

November 8, 2022 - Politico

Highway Widening

Lawsuit Challenges Maryland's Big Highway Widening Plans

A lawsuit has challenged Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's plans, first proposed in 2017 and granted federal approval earlier this year, to widen Interstate 270 and part of the Capital Beltway.

October 27, 2022 - The Washington Post

A two-lane highway cuts through a small canyon. The photo is taken from the perspective of a vehicle on the road.

Rhode Island Funding Highway Expansion Despite Poor Road Conditions

In a Strong Towns article passionately argued by Charles Marohn, Rhode Island’s penchant for building new highway capacity while the rest of the state’s roads crumble is compared to Emperor Nero.

August 16, 2022 - Strong Towns

Portland Interchange

Can Portland Have its Climate Goals and Expand its Highways Too?

Portland wants it both ways, but so do most places. But if Portland can't quit the car habit, which cities can?

May 12, 2022 - The New York Times

People boarding bus at LA Metro Bus Stop, Alvarado Street, Los Angeles

L.A. Metro's Proposed Budget Cuts Capital Spending on Transit, Speeds Freeway Expansions

After repeatedly cutting transit service due to the pandemic and a labor shortage, L.A.'s transit agency plans to double down on freeway expansion projects.

March 22, 2022 - Streetsblog L.A.

Construction work to replace the bridge deck carrying eastbound I-196 over Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

Safety or Freight: What's the Top Priority for U.S. 131 Redesign Project in Grand Rapids?

Urban designers are playing the advocate in a Michigan Department of Transportation study that is considering ways to reconfigure U.S. Highway 131 where it curves through Downtown Grand Rapids.

March 2, 2022 - MiBiz

A freeway sign for an intersection showing Interstate 85 for Durham on the left and Interstate 40 for Raleigh on the right.

Research Triangle Region Cuts Back Highway Widening Plans

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization accomplished a major shift in transportation planning priorities.

March 2, 2022 - News & Observer

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