2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumUS: Big Transit Plans Go Before Voters in November
Mass TransitAug. 23--Transit agencies in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and Seattle are appealing to voters this fall to fund new services that the cities hope could transform their metropolitan areas for decades to come.
By going to voters in a presidential election year, the agencies are betting that big turnouts will help their cause. But even though local transportation measures generally fare well at the ballot box, each of these particular metropolitan areas has had a tricky history with transit. In fact, just getting the proposals on the ballot took significant effort in Atlanta and Detroit, and opponents are already organizing to block the far-reaching efforts in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The ballot measures push for new rail lines, better bus service and more connections to destinations such as airports, universities, hospitals and job centers.
Ron Green
(9,821 posts)Big transit is one way, but it may or may not be sustainable infrastructure. Zoning and land use are also very important, and worth thinking, writing and reading about. Instead, we get a name-calling presidential campaign worthy of Middle School.
liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)It is sad state of affairs when the rich sports team owners can get the tax payers to fund stadiums that will get names of some corporation before they will vote for something that will truly improve their lives.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)Little for the poorly run Cap Metro (mostly buses), a lot for intersection rebuilds, a ton for beginning studies, engineering studies, and future project studies. Did I mention studies? City wants 3/4 billion for that.
The last one contemplated an expensive tunnel for rail, originating near a shut-down mall, porpoiseing near U. of Tex, then across /under the river and ending in a huge development of condos/apts some 2 miles from the airport. Sank like the Lusitania at the polls.
But some for bucket-o-paint bike project... studies.
asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)up front from investors..not just taxpayers - like the Japanese who are putting up 2M for a study - Balt-Wash D C in 15 minutes..
Japan's ambassador to the U.S. says his country has authorized $2 million to support a feasibility study on building a high-speed train between Baltimore and Washington.
Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae made the announcement Wednesday after signing a memorandum of cooperation between Japan and Maryland with Gov. Larry Hogan. The agreement formalizes trade relations between the state and Japan.
In November, the federal government awarded nearly $28 million in seed money to a private venture seeking to build a high-speed magnetic levitation train between Washington and Baltimore. A 20 percent outside match is required, and the $2 million from Japan will go toward that 20 percent.
One of many links
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20160824-japan-authorizes-2m-to-study-high-speed-train-from-d.c.-to-baltimore.ece