Rethinking highway expansion in the face of climate concerns

As the U.S. grapples with climate change, activists are challenging the traditional expansion of highways, highlighting the environmental and community impacts.

Shannon Osaka reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• Activists are pushing against highway expansions, citing increased emissions and harm to communities, especially low-income areas and communities of color.
• A coalition named Freeway Fighters is advocating for a national moratorium on highway expansion, while some states consider stricter emissions targets for new projects.
• Despite the push for electric vehicles, the U.S. transportation sector remains a significant source of carbon emissions, with highway expansions contributing to the problem.

Key quote:

“We don’t often think of it in those terms, but expanding highways is essentially like building new oil pipelines.”

— Ben Crowther, policy director for America Walks

Why this matters:

Highway expansions not only contribute to climate change by increasing carbon emissions but also affect community health and exacerbate social inequalities. Racism and political disenfranchisement underlie transportation inequities.