tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post6590899711855731458..comments2024-01-12T00:32:20.149-08:00Comments on The Overhead Wire: Magical Density MachinePantograph Trolleypolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833159138533550544noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-42335955909322965342008-10-31T10:19:00.000-07:002008-10-31T10:19:00.000-07:00Thanks for that comment Mike. I actually wondered...Thanks for that comment Mike. I actually wondered why Light Rail is the right mode for that corridor and if rapid streetcar could be implemented. Have you asked that question with Tri Met? What did they say if you have?Pantograph Trolleypolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17833159138533550544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-20370879532522561642008-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:002008-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:00i live in Milwaukie, have most of my life. I don't...i live in Milwaukie, have most of my life. I don't oppose light rail but I do oppose the antiquated thinking typical of Metro's approach to public transit. Metro wants to build the same light rail system they built twenty years ago when the Eastside light rail project was completed. <BR/> The Milwaukie line is no different, it will whisk you from Milwaukie to downtown Portland in a swift jiffy. Why do we need a multi-million dollar light rail system with a dedicated right of way to travel 6 miles to Portland? There is already excellent bus service to downtown. And what makes Metro think I want to go to downtown Portland in the first place? I don't work there, I don't shop there. I do work at a local large hospital barely 7 miles from my home in a nearly straight line along existing streets. How long does it take me to get to work? By auto; 12-15 minutes. But I don't want to drive, I want to take mass transit so how does that work? 2 bus transfer and over an HOUR later I'm finally at my job. This is where the rapid streetcar comes in. Built along existing rights of way with a much smaller and less expensive footprint the rapid streetcar could provide me with the opportunity to get out of my car and actually take me someplace I need/want to be.<BR/> A rapid streetcar could service all the great shopping areas outside of downtown Portland; Bybee-Woodstock, Sellwood-Moreland; Hawthorne-Division; Clackamas Town Center; Milwaukie MarketPlace; Lake Oswego-West Linn. These are the places I want to get to but with the exception of Clackamas Town Center, the light rail system will whoosh past all of them. EVERY single trip to these locales is an auto trip for me. <BR/> Dump the uber-expensive Milwaukie Light Rail and give us a neighborhood friendly, pedestrian oriented, utilitarian, less expensive rapid streetcar system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-63796744338084519872008-10-15T13:38:00.000-07:002008-10-15T13:38:00.000-07:00Milwaukie of late has smelled constantly of asphal...Milwaukie of late has smelled constantly of asphalt as they pave and repave every corner of the town. It's cute, and I've gone down there for computer parts at my secret little store quite a few times, but it leans heavily on cars and road traffic.<BR/><BR/>Yes, it will change and yes it will grow more dense, but character comes from within. If your city is engulfed by some kind of external culture, you have to take a step back and consider what exactly has transpired and why your town's culture became second to another's.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd tell Milwaukie to do things like create public art that says "MILWAUKIE" and make sure every corner says "MILWAUKIE" as loud as possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-442995602729120022008-10-15T07:20:00.000-07:002008-10-15T07:20:00.000-07:00I suspect that bus booster you're talking abou...I suspect that bus booster you're talking about wants BRT instead of light rail. You know I don't want more busways, and I'll admit it, since I live in a city known for its Transitway BRT (Ottawa). Either way, these opponents are aspirants for the Cox/O'Toole status, seeking to perpetuate auto dependence.<BR/><BR/>I'll also say that buses don't attract development like rail transit, notably light rail & streetcars, does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com