Right-Of-Way Man: Clearing the Path for Our Nation's Highways

by James S. Broadbent

Provides accounts of people whose lives have been disrupted so highways could be built.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until I saw this book, I'd never given much thought to what used to stand where highways are now. Broadbent describes his work as a negotiator/evictor for the State Highway Department, including many run-ins with colorful characters from Pittsburgh's past. A number of pests make appearances, too, including a houseful of spiders, roaches that cling unseen to a blind lady's clothes and face, and a gang of giant rats that ate a cat. I really enjoyed Broadbent's writing style, which is casual and friendly.