BALTIMORE — The 'Highway to Nowhere' was pitched as a major artery of the DMV; but, it cut the heart of West Baltimore in half.
Maryland's Democratic Congressional members on Tuesday announced $2 million in federal funding towards redeveloping a more than half-century old project in West Baltimore known as the Highway to Nowhere.
Mayor Brandon Scott called the highway the "poster child for inequality and systematic racism" in his effort to revitalize the area.
Nearly 2 years ago, legislators sought $15 billion over 5 years to correct what was done in Baltimore and 8 other cities.
Now known as the US 40 Franklin-Mulberry Expressway, the original goal of the project was to connect I-70 with interstates 83 and 95 in Baltimore.
That never happened due to environmental opposition.
RELATED: Baltimore leaders apply for federal funding to demolish "Highway to Nowhere"
As result, lawmakers say 14 blocks including 900 homes were removed in the process leaving 1,500 people, most of whom were black, displaced.
"A lot of families were taken out of their homes, a lot of businesses were ended," shared one resident.
Her older family members were some of them taken out of their homes.
"It just happened. That's just what it was. There was no outreach to let to let anyone know like 'Hey how do you guys feel about it?' It just happened and that was it," she shared.
Plans are to utilize the $2 million on a formal study that will help determine what to do next.
Eventually leaders hope to demolish the highway and return about 600 acres to the community for development and green space.
"If we could rebuild West Baltimore, it would be the best thing that happened to our city," she said.
“I remember the once vibrant and connected communities that existed before the ‘Highway to Nowhere,’” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “We seek to empower and reconnect communities to one another as a first step with this planning grant, but we also seek to connect those same communities to economic opportunities, more academic possibilities, arts and entertainment, healthy food options, safe and inviting open-space options, and so much more. It's never too late to undo the wrongs of the past if we have a clear and renewed vision for the future."
