The Genesee Expressway

Interstate 390, known as the Genesee Expressway, is part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, created by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 under President Eisenhower. Since then, almost 48,000 miles of highways have been built across the country in what has been called "The Greatest Public Works Project in History." During the expressway's planning, strong citizen opposition arose to a highway bisecting historic Genesee Valley Park, and alternatives including an underground tunnel were proposed. The final solution was a viaduct that carries the expressway over the heart of the park while maintaining and enhancing access to this important green space. The dispute helped teach transportation professionals to develop partnerships with citizens and the community, a philosophy used extensively today. At 71 miles long, the Genesee Expressway is comparatively short but plays an important role in the region's transportation system by providing a cultural and economic connection to the nation and emergency access in times of need.

Brighton, New York · United States