This is the first portion of an audio documentary I have been working on since 2008.

The East-West Expressway was a planned highway to connect Route I-70 near the Baltimore Beltway through Leakin Park and many historic and/or black neighborhoods. It was to go across the harbor with a 16 lane bridge and then connect with I-95. Only a small portion of the highway was built, the "Highway to Nowhere," where 20 blocks of houses and communities were lost for a short stretch of road.

Neighborhoods, communities, and organizations eventually won the highway war, one of many across the country. The Red Line, a 14 mile transit line, will follow much of the proposed route. The Gwynns Falls Trail, a hiking and biking trail, runs through Leakin Park from where the I-70 highway stops.

This piece delves into the history and memories of residents and community activists and lets them tell their stories about the fight to stop the highway and how things have changed since from both the planning and community perspective.

Recorded, produced and edited by Elsa Lankford with assistance from Kristine Dunkerton and Eileen Lankford.
Music composed by Elsa Lankford.

Many thanks to the interviewees and the stories you shared.