This article is over 5 years old

Houston Matters

From Highways To Public Transit: Book Examines How Houston’s Transportation Landscape Took Shape

Rice University researcher Kyle Shelton tells the story in “Power Moves: Transportation, Politics, and Development in Houston.”

| Posted on (Last Updated: )

Share

Houston highways
Dhanix. CC 3 license.

Listen

To embed this piece of audio in your site, please use this code:

<iframe src="https://embed.hpm.io/1/259727" style="height: 115px; width: 100%;"></iframe>
X
As you're driving around Houston or riding (or not riding) our public transportation, maybe you've found yourself wondering "Why'd they do it that way?"

For example, maybe you've wondered why Highway 59 was built where it would disconnect the East End from downtown. Or maybe you've wondered why Interstate 10 was built through the Fifth Ward.

A new book addresses a lot of the history behind how Houston's transportation decisions were made over the years and how those decisions shaped the city. It's called Power Moves: Transportation, Politics, and Development in Houston. Author and Rice University transportation researcher Kyle Shelton joins Houston Matters to discuss what he uncovered.

Much of the book focuses on the growth of the city's highway system after World War II, debates about building up the city's public transit system in the 1970s, and the creation of the area's toll roads in the 1980s.

Today in Houston Newsletter Signup
We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Your subscription will be migrated over.