6 episodes

The Road That Killed A City is a podcast from independent journalist Jim Krueger about the history of Hartford, Connecticut told through the lens of architecture and city planning. Most importantly, the construction of the I-84 Viaduct and the Urban Redevelopment in downtown.

The Road That Killed A City Jim Krueger

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 37 Ratings

The Road That Killed A City is a podcast from independent journalist Jim Krueger about the history of Hartford, Connecticut told through the lens of architecture and city planning. Most importantly, the construction of the I-84 Viaduct and the Urban Redevelopment in downtown.

    Why Are You Still Living Here | 6

    Why Are You Still Living Here | 6

    With all the disruption the highway caused, it's safe to say plenty of people saw fit to move away from Hartford. In our final episode we talk to the people who have stayed in the city, and the ways they're fighting for change.

    Link to the Greater Hartford Mobility Study:
    https://www.hartfordmobility.com

    Congressman Larson's I-84/91 tunnel proposal:
    https://larson.house.gov/media-center/op-eds-and-letters/i-84i-91-tunnel-proposal-about-thinking-big-again

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "I Know A Guy" by Kevin MacLeod
    freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_Ma…new_a_Guy_1821
    CC 3.0

    "A Few Jumps Away" by Arthur Vyncke

    • 15 min
    Chaos | 5

    Chaos | 5

    From the get go, the Hartford Interstate and Urban Redevelopment projects showed signs of flaws in their execution. Down the line, we look at how the projects themselves facilitated systemic inequality that persists to this day.

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "Talltell" by Blue Dot Sessions
    freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot…lands/talltell
    CC 4.0

    "Your Choice" by Inaequalis
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Inaequalis/terrarium/your-choicemp3
    CC 4.0

    "Drag along behind" by aboombong
    freemusicarchive.org/music/aboombon…g_along_behind
    CC 3.0

    • 22 min
    A Stark Amputation | 4

    A Stark Amputation | 4

    When Hartford started to expand, it was clear a new road was needed to connect downtown to the suburbs. Exactly where the road would take place and how the project would take shape show a city attempting to create strong divisions.

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "I Know A Guy" by Kevin MacLeod
    freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_Ma…new_a_Guy_1821
    CC 3.0

    "O' Holy Still" by Blue Dot Sessions
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Vacant_Distillery/O_Holy_Still
    CC 4.0

    "Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14" Performed by Bernd Krueger www.piano-midi.de/ogg.htm
    CC 3.0

    • 16 min
    The American Identity | 3

    The American Identity | 3

    In many ways, Hartford's change as a city is rooted in who we are as a country. Some of this is based upon Jeffersonian ideals, while some reasoning is more sinister.

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "Thread Caramb" by Blue Dot Sessions
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Textiles_Caramb/Thread_Caramb_1828
    CC 4.0

    "First Results" by Blue Dot Sessions
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/single/first-results
    CC 4.0

    • 11 min
    A Gilded Age | 2

    A Gilded Age | 2

    At its peak, the city of Hartford was perhaps the greatest in America. It certainly was the wealthiest. The city shined so bright, in fact, its charm lured in one of America's greatest writer's, Mark Twain.

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "Entwined Oddity" by Blue Dot Sessions
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Bitters/Entwined_Oddity_1607
    CC 4.0

    "Talltell" by Blue Dot Sessions
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/flatlands/talltell
    CC 4.0

    • 8 min
    What Did You Do Wrong With Your Life? | 1

    What Did You Do Wrong With Your Life? | 1

    What does Hartford look like to an outsider? It turns out, Connecticut's capitol city can appear quite strange and divided to those moving to the city from elsewhere.

    The Road That Killed A City was written, recorded, and edited by Jim Krueger.

    Cover Art by Paul Trongone

    Music:
    "I Know A Guy" by Kevin MacLeod
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Jazz_Sampler/I_Knew_a_Guy_1821
    CC 3.0

    "Drag along behind" by aboombong
    https://freemusicarchive.org/music/aboombong/asynchronic/06_Drag_along_behind
    CC 3.0

    • 9 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
37 Ratings

37 Ratings

NThomasG ,

Informative local viewpoint

Current and former residents of Hartford will definitely appreciate this

katieo2022 ,

Road that killed a city

Love this! There are probably versions of this all over America.

James Amenta ,

Incredible

A really wonderful podcast. I hope the author continues.

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