Dan McGuire wrote: > I still think that the light rail and the planning, or lack of it, > is taking more blame than is due for the delays on Hiawatha. I've been > driving it regularly for almost twenty years. Light rail is only one of > the changes that has happened in recent years to impact traffic on > Hiawatha. First, traffic has increased in almost all areas of the > metro- Hiawatha should not be expected to be an exception. Second, both > ends of Hiawatha have recently been significantly improved increasing > access and use- as the 55/Crosstown interchange gets fully completed > this will likely add even more traffic A third reason is that both > residential and commercial development has increased all along Hiawatha; > and I expect that this, too, will continue and probably further increase > traffic volumes on and across Hiawatha...
You have to be kidding, or you are deluding yourself. The day LRT opened, there was an immediate and noticable effect on traffic. It wasn't a gradual process. One day, traffic was flowing smoothly. The next, someone quite literally flipped a switch, and traffic was mired in bizarre light timing, backing up for blocks on cross streets, and stop and go all the way down Hiawatha both ways. Metro Transit said they'd get it all fixed. They were "working out the bugs." It isn't fixed, now, is it? I drive on Hiawatha every day, several times a day (though I am seeking better routes now). I use the entire stretch of the road. I live two blocks from it, and have lived in the neighborhood since I was born. Your suggestion that the current traffic conditions on Hiawatha Avenue are the result of a gradual culmination of other factors doesn't hold a drop of water with me. You are asking me to disbelieve my own experiences, my own "lying eyes." Yes. Traffic has increased on Hiawatha over the years. There was a noticible increase in the number of cars after the road was rebuilt, because it was a far better road, and better able to handle the flow of traffic. The road was able to handle the increased demand without increasing congestion... Until someone flipped that switch. Dan McGrath Longfellow http://www.smokeoutgary.org REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
