Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

marmar

(76,980 posts)
Thu May 17, 2012, 08:01 AM May 2012

A Tollway in Dallas and the Absurdity of Building Duplicative Infrastructure


from the Transport Politic blog:



A Tollway in Dallas and the Absurdity of Building Duplicative Infrastructure


This summer, Dallas’ Orange Line will be extended five stations northwest of downtown. The light rail service will expand what is already the United States’ longest such network and improve connections between central Dallas, the suburb of Irving, and — in 2014 — Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Yet billions of dollars in new construction have barely increased transit use; just 4.2% of the city’s commuters use public transportation to get to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If there is one city that proves that simply building transit does not attract people to transit, this is it.

Investments in Dallas’ road infrastructure might provide some explanation for the situation. An astonishing seven grade-separated highways extend radially out from the city center in all directions.* This is a city designed for the automobile.

At least some of the city’s residents apparently have not had enough of those roads. Early this month, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlins announced his support for a new toll road along the Trinity River whose alignment would not only parallel existing highways and the Orange Line, but it would significantly reduce the value of a new park proposed for the area. If public funds can be found to cover at least part of its $1.4 to $1.8 billion cost, the project appears likely to be built over the next decade.

This is transportation planning at its worst. Public dollars are being spent on two separate transportation projects that offer similar benefits and serve the same corridors. The advantages of the investments made in rail — namely, the ability to avoid congestion — are being marginalized by the construction of a huge new road that will, at least for a few years (until the congestion returns), make choosing the train a poor choice. At the cost of billions and in the name of congestion relief, transit’s role is being minimized. And the result is that all this investment will again produce low ridership. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2012/05/16/a-tollway-in-dallas-and-the-absurdity-of-building-duplicative-infrastructure/



1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A Tollway in Dallas and the Absurdity of Building Duplicative Infrastructure (Original Post) marmar May 2012 OP
Maybe it'll be like the tollway in Orlando KamaAina May 2012 #1
 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
1. Maybe it'll be like the tollway in Orlando
Mon May 21, 2012, 02:55 PM
May 2012

so expensive that only tourists can afford to drive it.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Public Transportation and Smart Growth»A Tollway in Dallas and t...