Additional Coverage:
- Highway that divided city in New York set to be demolished (newsbreak.com)
In the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 81 drastically altered Syracuse’s landscape by cutting through Pioneer Homes, one of America’s earliest public housing projects established about 30 years prior. Plans are now underway to demolish a 1.5-mile section of this highway to restore unity to the community.
Bishop Bernard Alex, who grew up just a few miles from where the infamous stretch of I-81 now stands, recalls the area’s former vibrancy, including communal gardens that were destroyed during the highway’s construction. He views the highway as a deliberate effort to displace certain populations.
The presence of I-81 continues to deeply influence the area, creating a stark divide between Pioneer Homes and the more affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods, impacting access to critical resources like hospitals and schools. Additionally, a CBS News examination of federal data highlights that communities overshadowed by major highways often face elevated pollution levels, increased asthma incidents, and diminished property values and incomes.
Syracuse is among over 130 cities that this year received a share of $3 billion in federal funds aimed at mending the segregative effects caused by past urban planning decisions. Cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Philadelphia are transforming highway spans into “capped” green spaces and parks.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh sees the demolition of I-81 as a significant step toward rectifying historical blunders, describing the highway as “a scar that goes through the heart of our city.” The project, which is projected to exceed $2 billion, will reroute I-81 around the city, replacing it with a pedestrian-friendly area complete with retail spaces and surface streets, potentially revitalizing the Pioneer Homes area.
Walsh emphasizes the importance of correcting past missteps, stating, “We can’t undo the wrongs of the past, but we can try to get it right this time. We have an opportunity to knit back the fabric of our cities and to bring people together.”
Bishop Alex is hopeful that the removal of the highway will encourage a resurgence in the surrounding neighborhoods. However, in other regions like North Charleston, South Carolina, infrastructure expansions continue to affect predominantly Black communities.
Interstate 526 is on schedule to be widened, necessitating the relocation of numerous residents. Despite the inevitable displacements, North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess affirmed that state assistance would be provided, including housing aid, job support, and educational grants, acknowledging, “Of course, we don’t want to displace people.
But when we have to actually improve the infrastructure, sometimes we have to make decisions that are not accepted, but I think that people understand it.”
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- Highway that divided city in New York set to be demolished (newsbreak.com)