Ezra Klein: The (Continent's) Worst Freeways

[marmar]

Perhaps Ezra Klein doesn't realize that Toronto is still in Canada.



from The American Prospect:


THE COUNTRY'S WORST FREEWAYS.

Via Streetsblog comes a cool list: The Top 10 Highways Most in Need of Demolition. Or at least most in need of being converted into a boulevard. The list was compiled by the Congress for a New Urbanism and the nominees were judged on "factors including the age of the structure, redevelopment potential, potential cost savings, ability to improve both overall mobility and local access, existence of pending infrastructure decisions, and local support." Without further ado, the winners!


1. Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle, WA
2. Sheridan Expressway, Bronx, NY
3. The Skyway and Route 5, Buffalo, NY
4. Route 34, New Haven, CT
5. Claiborne Expressway, New Orleans, LA
6. Interstate 81, Syracuse, NY
7. Interstate 64, Louisville, KY
8. Route 29, Trenton, NJ
9. Gardiner Expressway, Toronto, ON
10. 11th Street Bridges and the Southeast Freeway, Washington D.C.

They've got detailed rundowns of the "winners" at the site, though there's still very little information on who will host the inevitable awards show (Gotta be Chris Rock though. "I love boulevards. Love em! But I hate freeways..."). The only freeway on the list I've actually driven is the 11 St. Bridge in DC, and it was one of the most singularly unpleasant driving experiences I've ever had.


Posted by Ezra Klein on September 23, 2008 10:39 AM |


http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=09&year=2008&base_name=the_countrys_worst_freeways

[SmokingJacket]

1. I know two of those highways very well...

They're elevated, so they disconnect and divide the parts of the city. Also, they're horrors to drive, because they're old and crumbling and people drive really fast on them.

I love the idea of bringing them back to ground and making them into boulevards...