Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Talking Headways Podcast: The Freeway That Never Was

This week we’re talking with Brendan Wittstruck about St. Louis's never built freeway, I-755, which he recently wrote about at Streetsblog member NextSTL.

podcast icon logo
Meal delivery is one service of Project Roomkey. Photo: LAHSA

Brendan discusses the history of the project and how drawing lines on maps can be seductive to planners, who always have to be careful about trying to “fix” cities. He also talks about the racial politics of freeway construction in St. Louis, and how that legacy still shapes the city today. Finally, we chat about what the I-755 story means for freeway teardown movements today in terms of data collection and why this freeway never saw the light of day.

Join us and hear about the teardown that never had to happen, and the freeway that was never built.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Santa Monica Parking Enforcement Vehicles to Use AI Cameras to Ticket Bike Lane Violations

Similar to on-bus AI cameras for bus lanes, but with two new wrinkles: cameras will be on city cars, and will detect bike lane blockers

January 16, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

ICE, Metro vs. SB79, Olympics, Santa Monica parking, homelessness, Koreatown, Santa Clarita, Malibu, car-nage, and more

January 16, 2026

Monrovia’s ‘Haiku Park’ is Now Open

Satoru Tsuneishi Park honors the acclaimed poet once incarcerated in an internment camp.

January 15, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines

LAPD, potholes, green bike lanes, Metro policing, L.A. River, car-nage, and more

January 15, 2026

Metro Committee Approves Sepulveda Rail Alignment, Postpones Torrance Rail Approval

Plus: Metro announces a testing snag which means a likely delay for the D Line opening, and supports Foothill A Line extension to Claremont

January 14, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, LAX roadway expansion, Sepulveda subway, MLK parade, Pasadena, car-nage, and more

January 14, 2026
See all posts