#13: Washington D.C.’s North Central Freeway Opposition
The capital once had plans for a much more aggressive freeway network. Among them was the North Central Freeway, a route that would have affected established neighborhoods and connected with other controversial road proposals. For residents, the issue was not abstract. A line on a map could mean lost homes, divided blocks, and traffic imposed on communities that already carried the burden of urban renewal. Opposition grew alongside a broader shift toward rail transit and neighborhood preservation.
