Belk Freeway (I-277) cap
Posted on 15 Aug 2008 by Justin Ruckman
There’s been a lot of talk this week about plans for a cap over part of I-277.
Basically, this Monday a group of city council members, city staffers, business leaders, and engineering consultants met to begin seriously considering a number of options for improving the space that separates Uptown from South End, all of which involve some kind of cap over the interstate to allow for more pedestrian-friendly real estate. In so many words, the cost of building this project could be more than offset by the potential real estate and commercial sales.
Pictures are worth trillions of words, so check out the following images for some of the proposed ideas. All this and more at the forum thread over at Urban Planet, which as per usual has the best discussion for all things local urban development.
Wow! Since moving to CLT in 2004 I’ve always thought the 277 inner loop was nutty. It breaks the city grid and prevents neighborhood to neighborhood transitions. I’m glad that someone is thinking of ways to fix those probs.
Wow, lots of discussion at Urban Planet around the 2 proposed plans. That website has soo much info, and lots of opinionated folks engaging in good discussion and debate (almost so much that its overwhelming). Love seeing the highlights featured here occasionally…!
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I like the proposals. Wonder if there’s too much focus and support around this idea when there are SO many other urban development needs around Charlotte. Has anyone seen South Blvd south of Woodlawn lately? I don’t think there’s been a municipal effort (except light rail development) dedicated to that area in 30 years it looks like.
they need to run with this. look at Philly or St. Louis. They both just sank their inter-city highways. So there are no tunnels per se, just a lot of buildings and bridges overlapping. It restricts growth much less. Would also slow the speeds on 277, which is needed.
I say they might actually make it happen in 20 years or so.
Whatever happened with this?