Город Мемфис откладывает проект расширения дороги из-за протестов жителей и экоактивистов

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The City of Memphis is tabling a project to extend Paul R. Lowry Road after pushback from community members and environmental activists who have been concerned that the project would negatively impact southwest Memphis. The project was originally proposed in 2017, and has been examining ways to create a second access point to the Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park. It may have created a five-lane highway, connecting it to SpaceXAI, Nucor Steel, and more. Nearly ten years have passed and no route has been selected, and no construction has been approved. Now, the city is putting those plans on hold. Memphis Mayor Paul Young said a great deal has changed around Paul Lowry Road, and residents have raised legitimate concerns. Keshaun Pearson, with Memphis Community Against Pollution, told FOX13 that the project would have destroyed forests and disrupted the southwest Memphis community further. "What we know has typically been standard practice in urban development in an environmentally racist way to break up black communities," said Pearson. "And our community is vehemently against it." A community meeting is scheduled for 6:00 Wednesday night at New Jerusalem Church. Activists said they want the city to know that they want the project canceled, not just paused. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: Attorneys for family of child left in daycare bus react to criminal indictments Driver critically injured after truck crashes into utility pole, shutting down Houston Levee Road for hours Change of plea hearing set for Hernandez Govan in cyberstalking case