University Avenue is plenty wide enough to accomodate a tram line. I'd prefer that the line run on dedicated right of way in the middle of the street but I'm sure the car people would object to that. I also think that it's necessary that the line run on University Ave. if it is to serve as a local transit system rather than a quick way to get from downtown to downtown. Further, I would propose that it cross Snelling Ave. via an underpass in order to avoid getting tied up at (or tying up) that very congested intersection.
I'd love to see an underground station built in the middle of that intersection. By excavating the space beneath the Snelling Ave. intersection, and having the line duck below street level, room would be available for a convenient transfer point between the North/South bus lines and the East/West tram line without taking up too much space at street level. There would even be room for small shops on the lower level. A newsstand for instance. Another benefit would be that you would preserve the existing street level parking that so concerns some of the business people in the area. I would estimate that the tram line would need to begin its descent/ascent about a half block on either side of the intersection to make this work. Charlie Swope St. Paul _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Metropolitan Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/tcmetro Rules: Sign posts with real name. You may not post more than twice a day.
