Postby angrysuburbanite » March 30th, 2024, 10:43 pm
You might be right, but in a perfect world, where the boulevard is well-implemented, I think it could spark more support and investment into more freeway removal and capping. But that’s only if this is done correctly. I think the fact that the first highway removal project in the Twin Cities might be such a vital corridor could either be a huge success, or an absolute mess. As a success, it could allow many people living along the corridor to consider dropping a car for some shorter trips. But, the road could end up being an awful, noisy stroad instead of a boulevard, which could make some people stick with a car, since it would be so unpleasant.
As someone who lives very close to a freeway, I do very much support a removal of I-94, but only if it is done in a way that truly prioritizes non-automobile traffic. I would love to see MnDOT bring in some people from countries who have done similar projects to help make it more walkable, quiet, and friendly. Giving the new boulevard a distinct sense of place would do wonders to its popularity. Add some plazas, good new development, and quality pedestrian infrastructure, and it will flourish.
Living near a freeway sucks. Going outside, it is constant white noise. I cannot concentrate on anything on a cloudy day because it’s so loud. I have contacted the city manager and MnDOT multiple times to ask to consider building sound walls or something, but they would just come up with an excuse as to why they can’t.
I bring this up because nobody else in my neighborhood likes this freeway—it blocks us from easily accessing nearby schools and parks, and makes it impossible to speak at a normal volume outside. This is in a suburb which developed after the freeway, so I can only imagine how much more amplified this is in a built up, urban setting. Ultimately, I think it should be up to the people who live along the corridor. If they want 94 removed, go for it!
TL;DR: Radically changing the design of a major road like this is a huge undertaking, but I think done right it could have the potential to initiate more support for such projects. But, this project is at the discretion of the corridor’s residents—they should be the people to choose, not suburbanites like me.
(If you read all of this, thanks for bearing with me!)
"A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation."
Note: Many of the thoughts expressed above may be pretty stupid or ill-informed, with some rare good ideas interspersed.