Ending wasteful highway expansion is a core priority at Strong Towns. It’s also incredibly challenging, as anyone fighting a highway must go up against many layers of government bureaucracy, large companies with a huge stake in highway projects, and a lack of awareness from the public on exactly how much of their tax dollars are going toward disastrous highway spending.

But there are advocates across the country who wake up every day fighting against highway expansion, and slowly, they are winning. Ally Smither and Susan Graham are two such advocates, actively pushing back against a proposed highway project (I-45) in their hometown of Houston. They are joined by Strong Towns President and engineer, Charles Marohn.

During this workshop, you’ll hear practical advice for fighting highway expansion and how to keep the faith when the road is long.


The course is worth 1 continuing education credit through the AICP.

Portrait of Ally Smither
Ally Smither


Portrait of Susan Graham
Susan Graham


Hop aboard this 2023 Local-Motive session!


“Great topic, great presenters!”

“It was helpful to hear from Ally and Susan.”

“Excellent specifics. Keeping the heart open to folks who are doing these projects and create a community of care were meaningful, beneficial perspectives.”

“I really appreciated hearing how Susan and Ally built an effective organization to oppose the highway proposal and the importance of reaching out, and being open to, having allies in the opposite camp”

“This was a great balance of ‘localizing the national’ and ‘nationalizing the local.’ I felt doing that helped me really get a good understanding of those five core tenants Chuck mentioned.”

This session is part of our 2023 Local-Motive Tour, which features 10 action-oriented, short-form classes on subjects ranging from strengthening local businesses to creating better public engagement processes.

Check out the Round-Trip Ticket to unlock all 10 2023 Local-Motive sessions at an exclusive rate!