This is NOT at all a gross exaggeration! I've actually witnessed this a bunch of times and it actually freaks me out!
My apologies. You are correct. I witnessed it this morning at 46th. This goes along witrh my suggestion that N-S traffic should move as the gates come down.
I've timed it sometimes that I've sat at stop lights for up to 10 minutes.
This is a different thing. I was referring to the wait time when _all_ traffic is stopped. I have had some very long waits turning from northbound Hiawatha to 26th as others have also mentioned. I don't think it was ever 10 minutes, but it was probably at least five or six.
Without corrdinated timing between transit and cars, probably along with sensors in the road to detect traffic flow, this situation will happen with any at-grade dedicated transit system (LRT, BRT, etc.). PRT has been mentioned but I believe it doesn't solve the fundamental transportation problem. An elevated train would do the job but its hideously expensive.
Personally, my car commute is not worsened so much by LRT that I notice it. My trip time as increased maybe a minute or two. Today's construction on 55 East before the Mendota bridge dwarfed anything LRT has done.
I don't think a slight impact on auto traffic justifies a transportation plan that doesn't included dedicated transit rights-of-way. Especially when that impact can be mitigated with signalling improvements.
To those decrying MnDOT/Transit incompetence, remember that while this isn't the first LRT built in the nation, it _is_ the first LRT built in this corridor. There are going to be bugs that must get worked out. This is true in any complex system and transportation is one of the most complex systems we build.
David Greene
The Wedge
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