Hello Timothy --
I have no particular axe to grind about LRT. You'll notice that my posting mentioned
several other big-scale public investment projects besides rail. If my posting failed
to
make the point, it is this: rail has the hands down worst track record -- no pun
intended -- for cost and scope management in the arena of public works.
To top this off, rail doesn't do what it is advertised to do, and has never done what
it has been advertised to do wherever it has been deployed. Yes, there are several
places around the US where rail is moving people. But you need to consider that
alleged success from many perspectives before passing judgement. If you would like to
know
some more about my perspective, drop me a line and I'll send you an op ed piece I
wrote called Romancing the Rails.
The Hiawatha Line will be built and it will be called a success, because eventually
20,000 riders a day will use it. The cold hard reality -- it will not reduce air
pollution
one iota, it will not reduce congestion, it will not reduce sprawl, it will not
radically change density, and it will not be cost effective to operate. It is a
public transit
alternative, not a solution to our many collective transportation problems.
Oh, by the way, I believe in using tax dollars to get the most bang for the buck --
including some big progressive ideas. I will not bitch about the inconvenience of
widening
494, or any of the other major roadway projects. These are one of the things I
believe government does pretty well. If rail had the same track record as roads, I'd
put it in
the same category.
Timothy Mady <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>@mnforum.org on 04/06/2001 06:41:51 PM
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
cc:
Subject: Re: [Mpls] RE: Met Council $ for 28th Street LRT Station
Wonderful,
Now, please go do thorough analysis of huge cost
overruns associated with road building in this state.
LRT is such an easy target for those who simply have
some sort of grudge to hold against the city. I don't
understand exactly where it comes from, but the facts
are so simple that this project is going to help the
city neighborhoods affected. Look at every other city
where LRT is now being used to great acclaim, even in
Salt Lake City for God's sake. Salt Lake, Denver,
Dallas, all cities who are the poster children of
sprawl. And now, Phoenix also joins the list...but I
guess LRT opponents here just don't get it. The line
is being built as I write this, so get used to it.
Please complain just as much from Hastings, or St.
Paul, or wherever, when 494 widening begins.
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