Transforming an urban expressway into a local city street

Inner Loop East Transformation Planning and Design

This project, financed in part by federal TIGER funds,  transformed an urban expressway into a local street that restored the original city grid, reconnected neighborhoods cut off from downtown, improved pedestrian and bicycle mobility and aesthetics, and provides an overall revitalized corridor.

Our team assessed alternatives for removing this 4,400-foot (1,340-metre) segment of 4- to 6-lane expressway and three bridges, all dating to the 1960s. Modifying the expressway—with its high speeds and numerous non-standard and non-conforming features—and reestablishing the low-speed, two-way street grid significantly improved traffic safety.

In addition to traffic dangers, the expressway created a significant barrier to redevelopment in the East End, one of Rochester’s most important downtown districts. Replacing it with an at-grade complete street with state-of-the-art bicycle and pedestrian facilities between the East End and downtown promoted development and spur creation of a more livable and walkable community. In addition to traffic dangers, the expressway created a significant barrier to redevelopment in the East End, one of Rochester’s most important downtown districts. Replacing it with an at-grade complete street—with state-of-the-art bicycle and pedestrian facilities between the East End and downtown—promoted development and spurred the creation of a more livable and walkable community.

We’re continuing this work with the City of Rochester through our involvement in the Inner Loop North Transformation.

Read more about how we’re reconnecting our communities through planning, design, and reconstruction.