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Re: Sound Transit Train "Tagged" - Wasted Money
Author: George Andrews
Date: 07-12-2008 - 14:54
OPB, it's good to see your thoughtful comments again on this site.
Sound Transit has many examples of wasted taxpayer money to offer up; maybe not on the order of Boston's " Big Dig"; but consider the following:
) Ordering Sounder Heavy Rail commuter coaches as an add-on to a LA Metrolink order, but spec'ing OVERHEAD LUGGAGE RACKS, for trains that have a 35 mile average run.
) Designing much of the Link Light Rail as either below ground, some in a newly - dug tunnel, or on expensive overhead structures that extend for miles. And the extension to the University ( of Washington ) District is currently planned to be in another newly - dug ( and DEEP ) tunnel under Capitol Hill & Lake Union. The existing Interstate 5 bridge OVER Lake Union has reversible express lanes on a lower level, below regular lanes, that could easily hold a light rail train. This option could easily hook up with the current end of track at the North end of the Downtown bus tunnel.
)As you mentioned, ordering light rail cars that just can't be the same as anyone else's. " Gotta do it OUR way", seems to be the mass transit motto these days. Whatever happened to the PCC Car idea ?!? Oh well, as my mass transit - employed friend says, " Mass transit these days isn't about moving people, it's about spending money."
Sound Transit has many examples of wasted taxpayer money to offer up; maybe not on the order of Boston's " Big Dig"; but consider the following:
) Ordering Sounder Heavy Rail commuter coaches as an add-on to a LA Metrolink order, but spec'ing OVERHEAD LUGGAGE RACKS, for trains that have a 35 mile average run.
) Designing much of the Link Light Rail as either below ground, some in a newly - dug tunnel, or on expensive overhead structures that extend for miles. And the extension to the University ( of Washington ) District is currently planned to be in another newly - dug ( and DEEP ) tunnel under Capitol Hill & Lake Union. The existing Interstate 5 bridge OVER Lake Union has reversible express lanes on a lower level, below regular lanes, that could easily hold a light rail train. This option could easily hook up with the current end of track at the North end of the Downtown bus tunnel.
)As you mentioned, ordering light rail cars that just can't be the same as anyone else's. " Gotta do it OUR way", seems to be the mass transit motto these days. Whatever happened to the PCC Car idea ?!? Oh well, as my mass transit - employed friend says, " Mass transit these days isn't about moving people, it's about spending money."
