Much of the original interstate infrastructure built in the 1950s and 1960s in the U.S. is reaching or is past the end of its useful life requiring large investments for rehabilitation. At the same time, the freeway revolt has evolved into a more widespread movement, underlined by values such as sustainability. Thus, the vigorous debate over the future of urban highways and mobility continues. This paper examines this future from the perspective of a fairly recent phenomenon: urban freeway removal. By examining three different cases where urban freeway removal was a seriously considered option two where the freeway was removed and replaced with a lower capacity at-grade boulevard and one where the freeway ultimately was not removed this paper works toward a theory of highway removal. The analysis suggests that freeway removal will only take place when: (1) the condition of the freeway raises concerns about its integrity and structural safety, (2) a window of opportunity exists, some event that enables a freeway removal alternative to gain serious consideration and legitimacy, (3) the value of mobility must be lower than other objectives such as economic development, quality of life, etc., and (4) those in power value other benefits more than they value the benefits associated with freeway infrastructure.
Abstract