Figuero Corridor

Figuero Corridor

Los Angeles is considered to be an Alpha City in the world. And such a city should have a sustainable pedestrian-friendly system. The Figueroa Corridor Streetscape project tries to fulfil that initiative.

Staring from the 7th street in Downtown Los Angeles and ending at Exposition Park at USC, this project project began in 2017 and was completed by the end of 2018. “According to Curbed LA, the makeover will include a protected bike lane, bike signals, a dedicated lane for express buses, bus platforms, and wider sidewalks designed for sitting and strolling. A similar makeover will add protected bike paths and other safety improvements to Main and Spring streets” (Curbed). It would also have better signalization and signage, high-visibility crosswalks and transit platforms. It is expected to cost $80 million.

(Image Credits: A picture of the Figueroa Corridor Logo)

Gordie Howe International Bridge

Gordie Howe International Bridge

The relations between US and Canada has taken a hit in recent years. One project which could aid in rebuilding this is the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Previously known as the Detroit River International Crossing and the New International Trade Crossing, the aim of the project is to build a cable-stayed bridge and border crossing across the Detroit River. The crossing will connect Detroit and Windsor in Canada.

First proposed in 2004, already more than $350 million has been spent on the planning of the project. Workers broke ground on July 17, 2018 and construction is expected to be completed in 2024.

“Once complete, the new bridge will provide:

·      Additional capacity to increase trade between Canada and the United States

·      System connectivity

·      Improved border processing and capacity” (Michigan.gov)

Renderings of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (Picture Credits: Detroit News)

Crescent Corridor

Crescent Corridor

The Crescent Corridor is a railroad corridor operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). First proposed in 2007, it is scheduled to be completed by 2020. The project is a joint venture between Norfolk Southern and the various state and federal governments.

The corridor is 1,400 miles (2,300 km) long and 28 new trains daily would be expected to go into service along with improvements to rail yards along the corridor. The overall project cost estimate is $2.5 billion as of 2009.

“The estimated $2.5 billion expansion will enable shippers and trucking companies to move more of their goods using rail, instead of relying on trucks, which are more expensive and produce more pollution. Because of the public benefits of the cleaner air and reduced highway congestion that will result from the upgrade, the U.S. Department of Transportation has chipped in more than $136 million to support the project, with the rest of the funds coming from states and Norfolk Southern itself. The company hopes to finish the upgrade by 2030 but says the timing depends on how easily it can obtain enough public funds for the project”. (Governing.com)

A map of the expansion (Image Credits: Wikipedia)