Urban Highway Removal

The trend of removing freeways that harmed or destroyed surrounding communities has gained further support. In November 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program was launched to provide $1 billion over five years to reconnect communities that were harmed by past transportation infrastructure projects, replacing that infrastructure with projects that will bring people together and connect them with opportunities, including education, health care, and jobs. The most recent round of grants was awarded in January 2025.

Planners should be aware of this program and explore whether their communities could benefit from similar efforts. Learn more about such efforts in the Planning article "A Work in Progress: USDOT's Reconnecting Communities Pilot."