The recent discussions on the unsustainable speed limit of 35 mph on Hiawatha reveal fatal design flaws in need of remedying. As I understand it, adjacent neighborhoods were promised a mitigation measure that the speed limit would never excede 35 mph. That rules out increasing the speed limit, which leaves us with the question of what to do with Hiawatha. The speed limit cannot be raised without smashing the faith of neighbors. However, 35 mph is impossible to enforce when the highway's design encourages much higher speeds. Therefore, the only sensible long-term solution will be to turn Hiawatha back into the commercial corridor it once was.
For this commercial corridor, the current northbound lanes would be wide enough to serve two-way traffic and parking. On the southern edge, between light rail and the narrowed roadway, land would be freed up for Transit Oriented Development, thereby increasing the city's tax base and bolstering the new light rail with new destinations. The new buildings could feature a mix of commercial, residential, and light industrial, all with street level amenities like lighting, benches and brick sidewalks both on the street side and the rail side. The rail would pass through the back yard of the new commercial district much like the El does in Chicago. Near stations the commercial would open up towards the south to offer service for light rail riders. Near downtown, one of the access ramps to Hiawatha from Elliot Park (7th and 8th streets) should be opened for pedestrian and bicycle access only. Access from 35 and 94 would also be changed to reflect the new character of Hiawatha. This solution would guaruntee the quality of life adjacent neighborhoods, complement the new rail line, and heal many of the wounds caused by the currently flawed design. The costs would be significant but would be offset in the long run by new tax-paying business and investment in the corridor. For high-speed access to the airport, light rail will suffice. Meanwhile, we will have a safer, more community-oriented corridor for centuries to come. When can we break ground? Jeff Carlson, Whittier __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________ 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
