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More than 100,000 people of color have been displaced as a result of freeway expansion in the Los Angeles area, a partnership between @metrolosangeles (at the city level) and @CaltransHQ (at the state level). Here's why freeway expansions are incredibly harmful to Californians. https://twitter.com/CoalitionHappy/status/1360007545885061122
Freeway expansions result in a massive loss of homes. For example, the current 605/5 widening project that Downey's @alexfordowney has brought attention to would destroy hundreds of homes, two parks, and an elementary school. https://twitter.com/alexfordowney/status/1308862255929454593
The neighborhoods often targeted for freeway expansion tend to be heavily Black and Brown and mostly working class. That's because wealthy white neighborhood have the means and sway to stop freeway expansions -- Beverly Hills has done just that. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/why-isnt-there-a-freeway-to-beverly-hills
Destroying homes, schools, and green spaces to build more freeways? Think about it: all three of these things are *scientifically proven* to play a pivotal role in the health outcomes of young children. Children need parks, not polluted freeways. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk/highways
Not only that, freeways actively contribute to modern segregation in cities. Public transit corridors are what originally made neighborhoods like Watts and Boyle Heights thrive. Freeways gutted them and displaced people away from job centers. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-06-24/bulldoze-la-freeways-racism-monument
As a bus rider, I'll tell you firsthand: working class people need better and more reliable bus service, not expanded freeways. And that can't happen until @metrolosangeles and @CaltransHQ stop funneling billions into freeways, and mere cents into bus and train access.
