Here's an observation to counter Chuck and Erik. A few years ago, the Dakota County Commissioners were able to secure funding through MNDOT to increase the number of lanes for 35E bidge across the river to 3 with a breakdown lane (eventually a star lane for busses?), even though the road on either side of the bridge is essentially two lanes each way. HMMMM, what do you think their plans are? Sure there was consternation by the City, particularly Ward 3 as the expansion ate up some of Hidden Falls Park.
But there is recognition by MNDOT that the capacity of the road on either side of the river will need to be increased as the suburban communities grow. Look at the growth rates for Farmington towards the core cities, fairly rapid expansion. As Mn 280 land and the Midway becomes more valuable for business development and office parks so does the land above HWY 36 along the frontage road. It is much easier to have a non direct or direct connection by the Midway, than to route traffic under the History Center. Also why do you think there is a constant assault by suburban legislators on the "practice freeway". It may not be correct for the surrounding neighborhoods but expect this assault to continue ad infinitum. Sometimes if you say it long enough it eventually becomes true. Regards, Gerry McInerney Battle Creek ----- Original Message ----- From: Erik Hare<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 9:39 AM Subject: Re: [StPaul] Short Line Arguments? On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Having been in discussions at one level or another of this for almost 30 > years, all I can tell you is that MNDOT has never believed that connecting Ayde > Mill on the North end was worth anywhere near the money it will cost and that > they haven't seen the need. I've also been baffled by the recent calls to connect this us, because they just don't make any sense. As Chuck points out, you have a long-standing view that there's just no need. Weighing that against the cost of a connection -- which varies from a few million at Hamline (requiring the upgrade of that single ramp to 4, complicated by the bus ramp) with a few lights, etc to the possibilty of a real connection as originally envisioned following the railroad tracks to west of Snelling (long ago, Ayd Mill was all MN 280). The cost is high, the benefits low. What's the point? I understand that under Molnau the benefits part might be revisted here and elsewhere. However, there are far more obvious places to spend rather scant road bucks on. The odds of this taking priority of just about anything in Eagan seem low. Who brought this nonsense up, anyways? Erik Hare [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://home.comcast.net/~wabbitoid/<http://home.comcast.net/~wabbitoid/> Irvine Park, West End, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, North America, Earth Fine Amish furniture, cedar chests, and crafts http://www.harmonycedar.com<http://www.harmonycedar.com/> _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul<http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul> Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/<http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/> _____________________________________________ 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/
