{"id":2663,"date":"2014-02-20T16:02:49","date_gmt":"2014-02-20T21:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadtrafficsigns.com\/blog\/?p=2663"},"modified":"2020-07-07T02:54:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-07T06:54:37","slug":"10-useless-freeways-north-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadtrafficsigns.com/blog\/10-useless-freeways-north-america\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 most useless freeways in North America"},"content":{"rendered":"

An updated list of the nation\u2019s most teardown-worthy highways is the highlight of the recently released report, Freeways Without Futures, compiled by the Congress for the New Urbanism, a nonprofit which works for “walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.”<\/p>\n

CNU is the “hub” of the freeway removal movement, having formed a national panel of experts to discuss freeway teardown plans, collecting freeway data, and issuing public surveys on the movement to replace old urban highways with community-friendly street grids and better transit options.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gardiner<\/a>

The Gardiner Expressway turned some of Toronto’s most valuable real estate into a mere transport corridor, making it a prime candidate for retirement. From Dougtone<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

“Streets should add value to the places they serve,” reads the CNU report. Streets are multi-purpose, serving communities, commerce, and pedestrians just as much as vehicles, argues the advocacy group. Yet freeways that have outgrown their purpose inhibit other transportation options, only serve vehicles, and, are by their nature “disconnected from their adjacent surroundings.”<\/span><\/p>\n

But what’s the solution? CNU promotes the replacement of urban highways with boulevards, avenues, and surface streets as the most sustainable and cost-effective alternative. America’s infrastructure budget problems are already well-chronicled. Without funds to adequately replace aging highways, argues CNU, cheaper options — namely improved transit systems and connected street grids — are on the minds of politicians and civilians alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freeway removal campaigns are only successful, argues CNU, if heralded by vigorous political and community support, long-term planning, and a changed focus: “a vision for the urbanized environment that is not dictated solely by the fast movement of motor vehicles.”<\/p>\n

In the 2014 Freeways Without Futures Report, CNU provides an unranked list of North America’s current best freeway candidates for removal. The list is based on a range of considerations, including: potential for redevelopment; cost-savings potential; infrastructure design and age; capability of improving “overall mobility and local access;” existing ongoing infrastructure plans; and community backing.<\/p>\n

The 2014 candidates, in no particular order, are:<\/span><\/p>\n