This is, I think, my least favorite issue. If I could just make it disappear I would. Any transportation solution so heavily weighted for the one-car/one-driver model is an interim one at best. I acknowledge that we are planning for the short-term. Ultimately, economics will render our freeways obsolete.
A.J. Colianni writes: Why not extend an exclusive BRT lane all the way downtown? RL: This is the $175 million question. Currently from a project perspective the question is being framed by MnDOT. The equation will read something like this: BRT into Downtown (DT) = Full Access Project. I believe a better approach is to make the city's priority full implementation of BRT into DT, period. This could mean a different schedule of improvements, a new definition of access, and greatly reduced costs north of 46th Street. Allen Graetz writes: Chances are if Minneapolis is going to get a LRT line running along 35W...we'll have to come up with a billion dollars of our own money... RL: Let's be clear, we'll have to come up with billions of dollars whatever decisions we make. This is about priorities and values; the health of the community and environment, the shape of our city's future, etc. In fine bureacracese we say "BRT as proposed does not exclude the possibility of implementation of a future LRT line in the corridor". If we value rail over buses then I think we should always be clear about it. Jeanne Massey writes: Make public and clear what the I-35W Corridor Improvement Project is and what authority it has. Who's leading it and who's in charge? Is it a joint city/county/state effort? Did city council authorize it? The I-35W CIP is a MnDOT creation. MnDOT's in charge. The city contributed significantly to its vitality when we passed the Access Project's "Concept Approval" in December 2004, which I did not support. This is a for-real policy issue that is topical and important to the health and future of South Minneapolis and our entire city. I hope that voters and the public request accountability on this from municipal office-seekers this campaign season. Yours, Robert Lilligren Council Member Ward 8 Candidate Ward 6 Phillips West www.voterobert.com 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
