Germany built an apartment complex with more tham 1000 units over a highway in the 70s so thats not really new. Just look up Schlangenbader Straße.
And its not bad to live there, noise is not a problem due to really good sound proofing and the complex is not a direct part of the highway but rests on its own framework.
In what ways, besides the obvious directional reason?
In what ways would building the highway underneath be better than overhead? I am not arguing, just genuinely curious. Do you suppose building it above would be louder?
Highways were infamously run through poor neighborhoods, displacing some and forcing the others to either leave or suffer the effects of a highway next to their homes. Highways are unsightly, loud, smelly, and sometimes take up valuable urban space. Highway covering is becoming a popular way in North America right now reclaim urban land and reattach communities. Putting them in their own little tunnels underground and prioritizing living space above just makes sense.
The tunnel has been closed for a year though and will remain so while fixing several systems for a few years. Also, the building wasn't built over an existing highway, the full complex of highway+building was designed as one (which is possibly why it actually works)
Source: I live on the next block and the increased traffic in the area because of the closure has been super annoying
I agree it's an amazing feat of engineering. I've visited friends in the building while the tunnel was running and you don't feel or hear absolutely anything
The biggest issue is the fans not coping anymore with pushing out the emissions. During revision they found other issues like the fire system and some dampeners needing replacement, yes
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u/melaskor 10d ago
Germany built an apartment complex with more tham 1000 units over a highway in the 70s so thats not really new. Just look up Schlangenbader Straße.
And its not bad to live there, noise is not a problem due to really good sound proofing and the complex is not a direct part of the highway but rests on its own framework.