Friday, August 13, 2004 Yes to light rail on University, it will work fine there. And I would recommend replacing the 16 bus line with Streetcars eventually, or as a backup option if we cant get Light Rail here soon. There is room for both the Light Rail & Streetcars in place of busses on University.
Light Rail could also be built in the I-94 corridor, but only with a great deal of engineering and rebuilding. The main problem is that University is not close enough to work as a feeder to I-94. Yes, two short blocks for a walk, but very far for the handicapped or the elderly. In addition, the facility for walking between University and I-94, particularly between Lexington and Snelling, is terrible. The sidewalks on Snelling are too narrow and Snelling and Pascal are not even ADA compliant in various locations. Hamline and Griggs frequently have unclear sidewalks in the winter. Lexington is better, but all of the bridges over I-94 have inadequate walking facility. And of course for bicycling, non-existent. There is no sidewalk on the north side of Saint Anthony between Lexington and Snelling despite a nursing home, medical clinics, high-rise, hotel, and a restaurant. In contrast is the walking and bicycling highway paralleling Hiawatha with many of the stations having park and ride bike racks. Along with the Midtown Greenway and Cedar lake facility, these are the only HIGHWAYS in the metro area based upon the denoted meaning of the word highway. By comparison, I-94 has virtually no equivalent or inclusive facility for walking, bicycling or handicapped. Interstate 94 goes all the way thru Saint Paul. University is a better location than I-94 for Light Rail with better sidewalks. Paul Nelson Ward 1, District 7 ------ http://USFamily.Net/info - Unlimited Internet - From $8.99/mo! ------ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
