As Kenyans are excited about the all-most done Nairobi Express Highway, several cities around the world are demolishing theirs for one reason to the other.
The latest city to demolish its expressway is Toronto, Canada’s capital. According to reports, the expressway that stands above Lake Shore Boulevard was brought down because of the traffic congestion in Toronto.
Other than Toronto’s expressway, here are some other expressways that are either been demolished or are being demolished.
Embarcadero Freeway, San Francisco
At the moment, you can’t believe that there was a freeway that ran along the bay of Francisco. But it existed, State Route 480 stood tall in the city until the 1989 Loma Prieta quake damaged it.
After being damaged by the earthquake, the city later completely brought it down in 1991. A public space, walking, and bike paths, and new transit routes were constructed in the area where the expressway previously passed.
Rio Madrid, Madrid
Like other rivers in urban areas, Madrid’s Manzanares River was a vital part of the city’s history, but it was previously neglected due to the two freeways took over its banks. A plan to revitalize the river was brought in in the early 2000s. This led to traffic being rerouted through several underground tunnels leaving the land adjacent to the river for redevelopment.
The river banks were redeveloped to a park that had running and biking trails, skate parks, playing grounds, and urban beaches.
Alaskan Way, Seattle
Alaskan Way Viaduct is another American expressway that was brought down by an earthquake. After being damaged in 2001, there was a need to completely rebuild it into new seismic standards. Its engineers, therefore, decided to take the road underground to reroute cars.
Cheonggyecheon, Seoul
Cheonggyecheon, Seoul was built in 1976 to boost economic prospects in the city’s slum area. But in 2003, the city’s mayor promised its removal and turn the site into green space.
The removal of the expressway tore out a dirty highway from the city center as well as delighted a lost waterway.
