Like it or not, many of us believe Hiawatha can and should sets it's speed limits safely at 45 MPH through most if not all of its course in Minneapolis.
I'd even support an "unspoken" It's okay to go 55 when conditions are good, but you will get stopped at 56MPH. With the advent of light rail, this will become a multi-modal corridor. The nature of the parallel right of ways presents additional hazards to any who attempt to cross them; or enter or exit via the roadway or rail. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles will all need to pay attention to safety as they cross or access the highway. A uniform increase in the speed limit to 45+, would not significantly raise the level of risk at any authorized intersection. The roadway clearly can support the faster speed, and frequently does so even with the already posted limits. One of the benefits of living in our neighborhood, is the speed with which we can get out and about when we want. Quick access to virtually any point in the metro area makes living in the center of the metro worthwhile for many. A quick Hiawatha lends value to those of us who live here. Its not a little thing to trim a few minutes here or there in our busy days. A quick jaunt to downtown or Lake street is not without its merits. A quicker trip does increase traffic demand as it reduces drive time for a broader traffic shed. More people will want to drive on 55 from further away if the speed limit is 45 than will if it is 35. Some may see less traffic on a slower street as a benefit. Others will see it as an unnecessary obstruction to traffic flow in a metro wide system that is begin to show some volume strains. Some slow street proponents may argue against the outsiders, the dreaded evil suburbanites. Let's keep the speed limit low and slow to discourage them from driving though our neighborhoods. Fast street people will argue the overview, the regional perspective. We are the world, we are the metro. We have infrastructure systems based on logic rather than political whim. However, political whim as reflected by my driving behavior and that of many of my friends and fellow drivers supports a speed limit of 45. At least that's the vote as recorded on many of our speedometers. 35 feels too slow. I suspect that the clear choice of those who actually use the road on a daily basis would be for a 45-55 MPH range. Some, who may not use the roadway frequently, may not fully appreciate it's value to those who do. Just as we can appreciate and value speed in our computer browsers, we should appreciate the value of speed in communications when expressed in a different medium. Traffic flow, is in fact the lifeblood of our society. It is a direct manifestation of our social and cultural interaction as a society. Restricting the blood flow in an artery could lead to a brain hemorrhage, or other dire consequence. Keeping the flow free signifies a healthier system. The NENA neighborhood's fantastic new web site has started an ongoing discussion of the Highway 55 speed issue in its "Backyard" section. Great website, check it out at http://www.nokomiseast.org Earl Netwal Near downtown Nokomis village somewhere in the urban forest within walking range of 55 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
