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What happens when a freeway divides a community?

Traffic on Interstate 5 in National City, Calif. near the home of Margaret Godshalk. (Andrew Bowen/KPBS)
Traffic on Interstate 5 in National City, Calif. near the home of Margaret Godshalk. (Andrew Bowen/KPBS)

Freeways are the backbone of America’s transportation. The roads connect cities and towns and allow for commerce. But many residents were displaced to make way for freeways and the neighborhoods they run through, many of which are low-income communities of color, continue to suffer the consequences.

Andrew Bowen of KPBS’ podcast “Freeway Exit” brings us this excerpt which focuses on a longtime resident of a California neighborhood that was devastated by a freeway.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.