I understand the history of the Treme and the community tragedy that followed the construction of the interstate. But - and this may surprise some - I don't know that it's necessarily a good idea to tear down the portion over I-10.
I think it will take far more than mere removal of the interstate to revive the remnants of Treme on N. Claiborne's banks. I also think it's convenient to have a swift way to get around the city - it would take forever to get certain places. In fact, I'd go out on a limb and say that removing the elevated interstate might actually decrease the chance that some blighted areas down in the St. Roch, Treme, Desire, and Mid-City neighborhoods will get restored and revitalized because they will be even more inaccessible to the outside world.
I welcome any dissent on the issue, though, and I look forward to researching the matter more thoroughly.
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