the need to replace the deteriorating highway was recognized in the 1950s. plans were drafted, but not executed. by 1971, a plan evolved for the elevated highway to be replaced by an underground interstate-quality highway, which came to be called westway. it received approval from many levels of government, from the city to the federal, but was scuttled in 1985 owing to environmental issues. in the time between the closure of the elevated highway and the completion of its dismantling, while debate about westway was proceeding, remaining sections of the old highway structure began to be unofficially utilized as an elevated urban park, for jogging and bicycling.