West Baltimore United - A Reconnecting Communities Planning Study

The Highway to Nowhere is a lasting remnant of past efforts to connect Interstate 70 with Interstates 83 and 95 around Baltimore’s Central Business District. However, those highway connections were never completed. Ultimately, the strong community advocacy of the neighborhoods prevailed; but not before the West Baltimore section of Route 40 was constructed, thus earning the local moniker the "Highway to Nowhere". Construction resulted in the demolition of 971 homes, 62 businesses, subsequently displacing approximately 1,500 residents, many of whom were African Americans. Roughly 50 years later, the road remains as both a physical and symbolic barrier to progress, dividing large swaths of West Baltimore that were once connected. This 1.4-mile long trench serves limited value to the transportation network, is a safety hazard with large grade separations and high speed traffic, and is an eyesore dominating the landscape.