The American freeway is both a blessing and a curse. It enables speedy travel across cities and states. But it also divides communities physically and economically, pollutes and decimates surrounding neighborhoods, and provokes major political battles.

Often communities of color have been on the negative end of the impacts of freeway construction. Freeways are associated with urban sprawl and a loss of community. Historic homes are bulldozed or have their values plummet in service to the freeway.

But freeways are also unexpected canvases for art and political expression.

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