6 Cities Revo­lu­tion­iz­ing Landscapes with Integrated Corridors

Top-notch safety standards in Alameda, CA

After facing complex transportation challenges, the city of Alameda, California, is transforming its high-traffic corridors into safer, more accessible routes through a $16 million safety improvement plan. By implementing road diets, dedicated bike and bus lanes and ADA-compliant upgrades, Alameda now aims to reduce mobility-based accidents and improve accessibility for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.

This next-generation network of integrated corridors "enhances multimodal travel, setting a benchmark for urban mobility advancements that prioritize safety and inclusivity in shared spaces," says project manager Stefan Schuster.

Design innovation in Glastonbury, CT

Glastonbury, Connecticut's Hebron Avenue is a testament to how cities are revolutionizing urban landscapes with thoughtful urban design solutions.

Aesthetic elements like granite islands and landscaping worked to transform Hebron Avenue into a safer and more visually appealing corridor, while also holding true to the city's historic roots. As another design choice, modern roundabouts were constructed to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions. To accommodate businesses in the area, the roundabouts were designed with multiple styles of truck aprons and splitter island treatments to allow ample truck movement, further demonstrating the power of thoughtful urban planning and design.

Rebuilding New Orleans with Green Infastructure

Since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been building back better than ever with integrated green corridors that mitigate flooding, improve safety, and enhance resilient community spaces. The Pontilly Stormwater Hazard Mitigation Program and drainage upgrades use stormwater parks, bio-retention cells, and interconnected drainage to prevent flood risks while creating functional green spaces.

On Baronne Street, the “Cadillac Prototype” complete corridor combines elevated bike tracks, bioswales and permeable intersections, balancing stormwater control with multimodal transport in New Orleans' vibrant urban spaces.

A New England downtown revitalized

The Union Street project in New Bedford, Massachusetts sought to respect the area's heritage while simultaneously enhancing accessibility and livability. By combining preservation-focused features (historic streetlights, bluestone walkways, and cobblestone amenity strips) and streetscaping improvements (pedestrian-friendly crosswalks, separated drainage systems, landscape planters, and rain gardens) New Bedford has been transformed into a more connected, inviting community space that reflects both function and identity.

Raleigh's water infrastructure upgrades

To ensure a more resilient water and sewer system, Raleigh Water undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation and replacement plan, addressing 160,000 feet of sewer mains, hundreds of manholes, and raw water mains.

With challenges posed by dense underground utilities and historic downtown structures, the complete corridors team leveraged advanced assessments and utility coordination to reduce the risk of sewer overflows and pipe failures. “This integrated approach underscores Raleigh's commitment to sustainable urban infrastructure that meets growing demands without compromising accessibility or safety," says project manager Jim Perotti.

Improving Philadelphia's highway mobility

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is bringing its vision of unified multimodal access to life with improved connections through Interstate 95 (I-95), one of the nation's most critical highways.

To support this effort, CDM Smith is working with PennDOT to implement a public outreach initiative to guide the highway design process. Working directly with city residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, public arts organizations and other non-profits, the team was able to develop a project plan that prioritized community needs. This ultimately allowed PennDOT to reconnect neighborhoods, provide new bicycle and pedestrian access, support local redevelopment initiatives, and install green infrastructure systems to manage storm water and integrate green space in its dense, urban environment.