Madison Public Library clippings file: An expressway like a dagger through the heart

June 27, 1968 
(Capital Times, apoplectic, as in 2b)

"Bared", as if its nakedness is repulsive.

Let's follow the route as it would look today had this project moved forward in 1968.

1.  From the 6/26/68 Cap Times article:  The four-lane road would be depressed from the University Avenue expressway to Breese Terrace.  At which point it appears to slice through the northeast section of First Congregational Church. Crazy.

This proposed expressway route, though not depressed, would become a reality when Campus Drive opened to traffic on November 26, 1969.  

2.  From the 6/26/68 Cap Times article:  Cutting through the football practice fields.....

Not to mention that the 'southern corridor' would cut off Camp Randall Stadium from the rest of the UW-Madison campus.  Insane!

3.  From the 6/27/1968 Cap Times article:  ....it would rise to a fully elevated road east of Camp Randall Stadium and to the east between Regent Street and College Court.

In other words, the 'southern corridor' would have wiped out every building on the north side of Regent Street between Breese Terrace and one block east of Park Street.  Bonkers!

4.  From the 6/27/1968 Cap Times article:  It would descend to grade level to link with West Gorham and West Johnson Streets.

 Note how the blue section of the 'southern corridor' slices through what is now the Kohl Center.  What can you say?

June 28, 1968 
(Wisconsin State Journal, dispassionate)

"Expressway to Your Heart", by the one-hit wonder the Soul Survivors, debuted at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending September 2, 1967.  It spent 15 weeks on the chart, 6 of them in the top 10, peaking at #4.

More from the Madison Public Library clippings file:
2019
Nearly a half century later, the East Washington and First Street intersection is still a 'crash trap'.  (2/5/2019)
Not to worry, folks, Wisconsin public television survived.  (2/5/2019)
Downtown/University area urban renewal, 1971-1981 (1/28/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 3, the Triangle, 1970-1979.  (1/27/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 2, the Triangle, 1964-1969 . (1/27/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 1, 1962-1964.  (1/27/2019) 
Downtown Madison parking ramps, 1956-1971.  (1/22/2019)

2018
History of the Dane County airport.  (12/21/2018)

2017
City's first skywalk opens in 1966.  (10/9/2017)
Typewriter art.  (10/9/2017)
Proudfit and Regent streets widening, 1955.  (9/30/2017)
Northport Connector project, 1960.  (9/30/2017)
Regent Street extension beyond Rosa Road, another bad idea left on the drawing board.  (5/27/2017) 
Drake Street extension, a bad idea left on the drawing board.  (5/26/2017)