City Council Should do an Independent Study for I-345
Dallas City Council
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(re)Place 345 is a campaign created by a collective of local progressive organizations and community leaders dedicated to fighting for racial equity, environmental safety, and equitable economic development and land use for Interstate 345 (I-345) and its surrounding corridor. Our mission is to ensure Dallas uses this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine and replace I-345 to improve our city with affordable housing, green space, and targeted economic investment while giving reparations to the communities harmed by the initial erection of I-345.
Right now, we are asking city leaders to vote for further study of 1. Replacing I-345 with a boulevard and 2. The hybrid plan proposed by TxDOT. This is too big of a decision for the city to leave to TxDOT, a state department that is primarily concerned with moving cars. We need an independent study to fully evaluate the options available.
To read more information on the history, effects, and info on 345: follow this link.
To read about how replacing 345 is about equity: follow this link.
If you are interested in volunteering: follow this link.
To email your city council member, please copy and paste the text below. To find your council members email: follow this link.
Sponsored by
Additional Sponsors
To:
Dallas City Council
From:
[Your Name]
Hello,
I am writing to request that City Council not rubber-stamp the 345 plan proposed by TxDOT and request that a street-level boulevard option be retained and evaluated simultaneously and in comparison to all other options offered by TxDOT. City Council Members have requested but not publicly received many answers related to questions from the October briefing. By refusing to consider funding the boulevard option for 345, Michael Morris and TxDOT are trying to bully the city into making a rushed decision that will shape our city for generations.
Reasons to delay and pursue further investigation:
The true cost of construction and secondary economic benefits from TxDOT’s hybrid plan has not been clearly articulated, and the available numbers show the boulevard plan is more fiscally beneficial.
The cost of the hybrid plan, estimated to be at least $1 billion, is not included in TxDOT’s 10-year plan.
A comprehensive environmental impact study has not been completed.
It is imprudent to agree to a large-scale highway project with implications for housing, land use, and racial equity before the City finalizes its Comprehensive Housing Policy, Convention Center Masterplan, and Comprehensive Land Use Plan. All of these plans are currently being drafted or revised.
There has not been a good faith effort by TxDOT to investigate a street-level boulevard plan and the land use around I-345. TxDOT is in the highway building business, and they have not asked the right questions about what is best for the long-term health of Dallas and its residents.
Dallas residents deserve better. We believe the council has a duty to ask the following questions and consider all options for a better and more equitable City.
Have you quantified the past racial equity impact of I-345? How can Dallas make restitution for the past harm created by the highway? What are the plans to make reparations for the damage done to Black residents in Dallas?
What is the full environmental impact of the proposed hybrid plan? How does this plan perpetuate environmental racism? What could be the environmental benefits from a boulevard plan?
How does the current hybrid plan impact the housing and homelessness crisis in our city?
What are the full economic impact and opportunities of all options? Is the status quo of keeping Black communities separated from economic opportunities in their own backyards the best path forward?