10 Forgotten Transportation Projects That Could Have Changed the U.S

Throughout U.S. history, grand transportation projects have been proposed to reshape the country’s mobility and economy. Some of these projects aimed to revolutionize urban transit, connect remote regions, or modernize infrastructure on a massive scale. However, not all of them came to fruition. These abandoned plans, often halted by funding issues, politics, or public opposition, leave us wondering how the U.S. might look today if they had succeeded. Here are ten ambitious transportation projects that were abandoned and could have dramatically altered the nation’s landscape.

1. The Interstate Highway System’s Unbuilt Segments

While the Interstate Highway System is one of the most notable transportation achievements in U.S. history, several proposed segments were never constructed. Projects such as the proposed Interstate 66 through Virginia’s northern dense suburbs aimed to cut travel time significantly and ease congestion. Had these segments been built, they could have mitigated urban sprawl, potentially leading to more cohesive regional development.

2. Transcontinental Railroad for the 21st Century

In the early 2000s, there were talks of a second transcontinental railroad that would connect the eastern and western U.S. with modern high-speed rail technologies. Unfortunately, funding and political divisions stymied progress. If this project had been realized, it could have transformed cross-country travel, reduced freight shipping times, and enhanced economic ties between states.

3. The Texas T-GO Project

Envisioned in the late 1990s, the Texas T-GO was an ambitious plan to create a vast, interconnected network of high-speed rail that would link major Texas cities. Funding issues and local opposition ultimately led to its abandonment. With the ongoing debate over transportation infrastructure and climate change, this project might have fortified Texas’s position in sustainable urban transport.

4. Chicago’s Automatic People Mover

In the early 2000s, Chicago had grand plans for an Automatic People Mover (APM) that would connect major transit hubs to the city’s downtown. The project faced budget constraints and technical challenges, leading to its eventual cancellation. A successful APM could have modernized urban transit in Chicago and potentially inspired similar systems in other cities.

5. Denver’s Comprehensive Rail Loop

In the 1970s, Denver proposed a comprehensive rail loop system that would connect the city’s suburbs directly to the downtown area. The project, while visionary, was ultimately deemed too costly. If completed, this network could have significantly improved density and reduced traffic congestion, setting a precedent for urban planning across the nation.

6. Yosemite Valley Railroad Expansion

In the early 20th century, there were bold dreams of expanding the Yosemite Valley Railroad to improve access to one of America’s most revered national parks. However, due to environmental concerns and changing priorities, this expansion never occurred. If it had, increased accessibility might have enhanced tourism and economic development in the region while raising crucial awareness of national conservation efforts.

7. The Urban Maglev Project

High-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) trains are high-tech marvels that countries like Japan have successfully implemented. In the U.S., a proposal for an urban maglev project aimed to connect major cities across several states, including a route from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Funding issues and technological barriers halted its progress. Had it been realized, it could have revolutionized intercity travel by providing faster, efficient, and sustainable transportation.

8. The Skyway in Minneapolis

In a bid to reduce winter travel woes, planners in the 1970s proposed a network of elevated “Skyway” structures above the city of Minneapolis. While portions of the skyway were built, many segments were ultimately abandoned. A complete network could have redefined urban commuting in harsh climates, paving the way for a more pedestrian-friendly approach to winter navigation.

9. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Expansion

While BART remains a critical component of the San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation infrastructure, plans for expanding lines deeper into the surrounding communities and even across the bay to Marin County were proposed and ultimately abandoned due to funding and logistical constraints. These expansions could have significantly improved accessibility and reduced car dependency, changing the dynamics of regional commuting.

10. The New Doughnut Route Around Los Angeles

In the late 1990s, planners proposed a ten-lane “Doughnut Route” around Los Angeles that would alleviate some of the traffic congestion on the existing freeway system. The project was ultimately shelved due to environmental impacts and community opposition. Had it been built, it could have reduced traffic congestion significantly and spurred more sustainable transit alternatives in one of the nation’s most car-centric cities.