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frenetix t1_iurnc2z wrote

Reply to comment by split-top_gaming in Why was Route 95 sited where it is in Providence? by HistoricalDocument11

> Notice it doesn't go through the east side?

It follows the already-established railroad tracks from the Pawtucket border to downtown Providence. What alignment through the East Side would have made better sense?

Looking at the current maps, it does look like the little neighborhood around Charles and Randall St. could have been spared if they continued to route I95 on the other side of the post office, to keep it more closely aligned with the train tracks there.

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split-top_gaming t1_iusi3ba wrote

The trend is noticeable both inside and outside of Rhode island - highways are built through low-income communities rather than high-income neighborhoods.

Even if not discussing 95... Highways in general. It would negatively impact property values so wealthy property owners would fight for their property.

Poorer residents don't have the resources to do the same.

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