Comments on: Reassessing U.S. infrastructure investment plans http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/02/reassessing-us-infrastructure-investment-plans/ A New York City Subway Blog Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:18:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Larry Littlefield http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/02/reassessing-us-infrastructure-investment-plans/#comment-36744 Larry Littlefield Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:10:57 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=910#comment-36744 I'm not sure I'd call those projects boondoggles, other than their price. The highway infrastructure needs to be replaced if it is not collapse. A wider turnpike could eventually have one lane converted to rail. I've been involved with a debate with other pro-transit folks, including myself, about the value of aesthetics in public transit relative to capacity and speed. Most foamers are more interested in capacity and speed. But the lack of aesthetics sends the message that transit riders are losers, while SUV drivers are winners, which is exactly their attitude. And my favorite transit system is Montreal, which scores on aesthetics and not much else. I’m not sure I’d call those projects boondoggles, other than their price.

The highway infrastructure needs to be replaced if it is not collapse. A wider turnpike could eventually have one lane converted to rail.

I’ve been involved with a debate with other pro-transit folks, including myself, about the value of aesthetics in public transit relative to capacity and speed. Most foamers are more interested in capacity and speed.

But the lack of aesthetics sends the message that transit riders are losers, while SUV drivers are winners, which is exactly their attitude. And my favorite transit system is Montreal, which scores on aesthetics and not much else.

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/02/reassessing-us-infrastructure-investment-plans/#comment-36712 Cap'n Transit Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:24:28 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=910#comment-36712 Many of our government agencies are still acting as though everyone will be driving SUVs and living in sprawl. The NY State DOT wants to spend $14.5 billion replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge with a wider one. The NJ Turnpike Authority is still planning to spend $2 billion to widen the Turnpike. The NY City DOT is spending $850 million to rebuild bridges on the Shore Parkway. Even some of the "transit" projects are partly expensive symbols, like the Moynihan Station project that would do very little to improve the transit experience. I've been <a href="http://capntransit.blogspot.com/search/label/boondoggle" rel="nofollow">chronicling these boondoggles</a> on my blog. Please feel free to suggest additions. Many of our government agencies are still acting as though everyone will be driving SUVs and living in sprawl. The NY State DOT wants to spend $14.5 billion replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge with a wider one. The NJ Turnpike Authority is still planning to spend $2 billion to widen the Turnpike. The NY City DOT is spending $850 million to rebuild bridges on the Shore Parkway.

Even some of the “transit” projects are partly expensive symbols, like the Moynihan Station project that would do very little to improve the transit experience.

I’ve been chronicling these boondoggles on my blog. Please feel free to suggest additions.

]]> By: Streetsblog » Today’s Headline http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/02/reassessing-us-infrastructure-investment-plans/#comment-36708 Streetsblog » Today’s Headline Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:03:55 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=910#comment-36708 [...] Citgo Stations (News)As Fuel Prices Crimp Transit Agencies, Time for Gov't to Step Up (2nd Ave Sagas)Take a 'Peak' (The Oil Drum: Local) Filed by Ben Fried under Today's Headlines Link Digg [...] [...] Citgo Stations (News)As Fuel Prices Crimp Transit Agencies, Time for Gov’t to Step Up (2nd Ave Sagas)Take a ‘Peak’ (The Oil Drum: Local) Filed by Ben Fried under Today’s Headlines Link Digg [...]

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/02/reassessing-us-infrastructure-investment-plans/#comment-36705 Larry Littlefield Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:36:40 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=910#comment-36705 You have no idea how bad the situation is. www.r8ny.com/blog/larry_littlefield/the_2008_13_mta_capital_plan_our_sold_out_future_is_here.html And the bigger issue is generational inequity perpetuated by some very selfish generations, those now in charge. Infrastructure and environment is just one component. www.r8ny.com/blog/larry_littlefield/the_2008_to_2013_mta_capital_plan_is_there_a_way_out.html Taxes are another. www.r8ny.com/blog/larry_littlefield/taxes_generational_equity_redux.html You can add social security and health care to that. Doesn't look good for my kids. Whose fault is it? Those who are doing it, or today's young adults who are letting it happen? I did what I could. http://ipny.org/Littlefield/ You have no idea how bad the situation is.

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/larry....._here.html

And the bigger issue is generational inequity perpetuated by some very selfish generations, those now in charge. Infrastructure and environment is just one component.

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/larry.....y_out.html

Taxes are another.

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/larry.....redux.html

You can add social security and health care to that.

Doesn’t look good for my kids. Whose fault is it? Those who are doing it, or today’s young adults who are letting it happen?

I did what I could.

http://ipny.org/Littlefield/

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