----- Original Message ----- From: "Dyna Sluyter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 12:58 AM > On Friday, July 2, 2004, at 08:00 AM, Bruce Gaarder wrote: > > > Since I don't have "Republican allies" and not all lrt opponents are > > Republican, I don't listen to all kinds of interviews with Republicans > > or Democrats or ..., I don't know what words Krinkie used. > > But you're pretty much repeating the Republican party line, > trains=bad, freeways=good.
Maybe I've missed something here, but I've never seen anything from Bruce saying such a thing. What I've read, he's questioned the costs of LRT in regards to other transit options. I haven't seen anything that black and white coming from him. I have seen others post some things that seem very black and white or too simplistic. This is a very complex issue that deserves more. For example, in looking at what the other options are, apples to apples need to be compared. Who cars what it would cost to build a freeway bridge across the Missippi. It's interesting to know but doesn't make much of a point for this case. The questions here should be related to this specific corridor. What would the costs have been to turn 55 into a freeway? How would that have changed the neighborhoods around it, that is, the indirect costs? What would it have cost to build a busway instead of a right of way for the light rail? I don't seem to hear these things as much. I don't want to come across as saying that the conversation has been worthless. I'm sorry if I come across as that. I just don't see the point of speculating on where gas prices will be in 30 years or how much it would cost to turn hwy 10 into a freeway versus serving it with Northstar. What I would like to do is figure out if LRT is the best thing for MPLS. I feel given the operating costs for the route and the lack of forsight (density, density, density!) on the city's part despite begging for the route for decades the city would've been better served with bus rapid transit on the route. The operating costs would be lower and it would give transit more flexibility on the route. It also would've been more appropriate given the type of existing and planned development along the route. While at the same time it would be improving the level of service between 3 very important transit destinations : MSP, dwtwn MPLS, and the Mall of America. Allen Graetz Kenwood REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
