[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 11/19/02 12:22:48 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:It isn't about pollution, but it does answer some pollution problems, those created by 300 diesel buses and those created on Second Av.
This project is not about reducing pollution, it is about externalizing the costs of transportaion "needs" created by corporations and employees who still operate under the model of urban sprawl, which in turn subsidizes the status quo of the petroleum and auto industries.It's to spare us from having to breathe in all the toxic particulates left by cars sitting at two lights, 31st St. and Lake St. WizardMarks, Central
WM: This project does not address people's racism and classism. Nor does it address urban sprawl, of which we have not much to address, if any. It is true that five and ten years ago the corner of Second and Lake was pretty scarey. That is no longer the case. The scarey part is Chicago Lake and it is not only people from out of this area who are scared, but those of us who live a block or two away from it. Until we can redevelop Sears anyone who expresses the notion that ChicagoLake scares them will get huge agreement from the residents.
The I35W expansion project is simply an urban sprawl project. Behind the gripes of people not wanting to drive through three blocks of a certain neighborhood is classism and racism.
WM: This is all assumed and entirely inaccurate. No one who lives here turns a blind eye to any of this activity. Interestingly, many of the new merchants see the I35W project as a positive possibility that will help them prosper.
Behind the claim that Lake Street needs this project is a similiar kind of bias which turns a blind eye to the wonderful, pluralistic, multi-racial and colorful revitalization of Lake Street that is already going on.
If this project goes through, pollution will be increased, as car traffic will be encouraged and congestion will be worsened. Increasing numbers of folks will drive -- one or two at a time -- in cars designed to carry between 4 and 8 people -- through these traffic ways. Pollution will be far worse.WM: When this project goes through change will happen. You do not know that pollution will increase. I do not know that it will decrease. I know that the pollution from 300 buses will decrease and the pollution at Second and Lake will decrease.
WM: Right now talks are going on to create aaa bus mass transit lane on either side of the planned changes. If you have noticed, the MCTO has invested in hundreds of new buses over the last ten years. New buses are being designed and promoted every day. However, they cost the earth. If the funds are amassed to buy them, the MCTO will do so when their current buses wear out.
There are better, cheaper alternatives:
1) Turn the I35W corridor into a true transit corridor. A dedicated busway could start immediately. Cleaner-running busses could be developed to replace the ones already used. (If we were smart, we'd have p[eople at the U of M already working on this.)
2) LRT and PRT could be developed in or overe the I35W trench. The U of M professor who has been working on PRT for over 30 years is a terrific local treasure here, a visionary who has too long been ignored. But he has raised over $500,000 on his own -- no help from MnDOT or local or state governments -- to build a model.
Why not work on a visionary, cutting edge design for the I35W corridor instead of going back to a 1960's model of transportation there?
WM: This design, the PRELIMINARY design does not go back to the sixties.
The LRT or PRT designs would cut pollution by as much as 80%. (Adding more cars adds more toxins, and as traffic builds to fill the new capacity, worse congestion follows, with worse pollution....see LA, Atlanta)WM: Bus rapid transit will also cut pollution and it's miles cheaper to produce than LRT or PRT.
In other words, while new, truly effective plans are being made, we can provide excellent bus service in the corridor -- even tailoring it to the shift-related needs of Allina -- for far less money than the I35W expansion project currently proposed.WM: King Field has taken a NIMBY position on 35W from the start. King Field and you, had the right to be at the many meetings held for the last 4 years.
I submit that our Mayor, City Council, County Commissioners, and State Representatives all need to consider this as an alternative to dumping huge sums of taxpayer money into the counterproductive proposal being put forard under the guise of "I35W Access".
Tranform I35W into a transit corridor, not into a worse traffic congestion corridor!
This project was designed for access and amelioration of mistakes made in the original design. That's what it is intended to accomplish. LRT is a long way off in this transportation corridor, if it ever arrives. BRT can accomplish the same thing for a lot less money. BRT is possible at this point. If you want to be helpful, now's the time to lobby legislators for BRT in the 35W trench.
WizardMarks, Central
_______________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
