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Re: California Park Hill tunnel rehab
Author: synonymouse
Date: 08-30-2009 - 20:05
Probably the most important aspect of this story is that the tunnel is being reopened at all. The ROW south of Larkspur is gone and I'm sure Caltrans had no interest in retaining the tunnel since it is immediately adjacent to newly widened 101.
That said and appreciated, SMART is surrounded by a troubling aura of feel-good fantasy. My impression is that at least in Sonoma County people are generally supportive of the idea of a train but remain skeptical it will have enough business. Public transit use in the Northbay is poor and may actually be declining. All assurances to the contrary, in the real world of transit, SMART will no doubt require a public subsidy, which will put it in competition with existing bus service, already being cut.
What I find curious is that the local political establishment strongly endorses SMART but vehemently opposes the major casino in the cards for Rohnert Park. I guess the politicos and area newspapers worry the locals will blow the rent in the casino but I consider SMART a bigger gamble than the slots.
That said and appreciated, SMART is surrounded by a troubling aura of feel-good fantasy. My impression is that at least in Sonoma County people are generally supportive of the idea of a train but remain skeptical it will have enough business. Public transit use in the Northbay is poor and may actually be declining. All assurances to the contrary, in the real world of transit, SMART will no doubt require a public subsidy, which will put it in competition with existing bus service, already being cut.
What I find curious is that the local political establishment strongly endorses SMART but vehemently opposes the major casino in the cards for Rohnert Park. I guess the politicos and area newspapers worry the locals will blow the rent in the casino but I consider SMART a bigger gamble than the slots.
