Road Diets and Greenways: Barriers and Strategies for More Innovative Infrastructure
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Decision-makers for road and stormwater infrastructure across America are faced with numerous problems that require immediate action. These decision-makers are faced with an option when the time arises to consider alternatives for these infrastructure systems: abide to the status quo solution or attempt a different strategy. Typically, these stakeholders choose solutions that are built to be rebuilt. Roadways and stormwater infrastructure provide two examples of infrastructure that requires constant modification and addition. However, other solutions provide opportunities that go against traditional decision-making and provide an opportunity to transform the surrounding land. Road diets remove lanes instead of building more. Green infrastructure such as river daylighting relies on natural land systems to solve problems. Both solutions share the ability to solve their respective problems while also revitalizing, or transforming the land surrounding them. However, barriers are presented to these solutions, such as scope uncertainty and funding sources. Case study research of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Lick Run Greenway reveals that collaborative planning, goal framing, and unique funding structures are a few examples of overcoming barriers to innovative infrastructure.