One thing I have heard (and would like list comment on) is that the "transit lane" pitch of the lane expansion is, in essence, a sham.
Dore Mead was at our last Kingfield Neighborhood meeting making this case. As some may know, there's a transit lane that will be built south of 46th (not part of this most recent deal). But southbound buses can now exclusively travel on the shoulder for several blocks above 46th - I'm not sure how far north (I'm guessing at least 36th, maybe Lake Street.) So for at least half of the proposed expansion, an existing transit lane (the exclusive shoulder right-of-way) will be replaced by a dedicated transit lane (to be built in the middle). Dore's point is that there will be no "net gain" for transit - transit still has one lane, but CARS get a new one (assuming they can travel on the shoulder in some reconfiguration). I think it's important for neighborhood folks - whether opposed to 35W expansion or not - to get a fair analysis of this argument. Does the proposed expansion really boost transit or not? If it doesn't boost transit, then as Jordan notes, it punctures a propagandistic spin of the advocates. If it DOES boost transit, I think the more anti-sprawl, pro-environment south Minneapolis folks can be effectively portrayed as hypocritical NIMBYs. (I realize there are those out there who support more lanes and don't care whether they're transit or not.) One other thought: while I am an avowed Middler (Bob Gustafson-style, not Bette) on LRT, if they're going to pour two lanes of concrete in the middle of 35W, shouldn't we reopen the LRT-on-35W discussion? The thing that stopped it before (aside from cash) was the no-expand policy in place. But if that's out the window, shouldn't LRT be back on the table? Seeking understanding through fact-based discussion, David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
