October 30, 2008 – Seattle Transit Blog

Freedom and Roads

October 30, 2008 by Frank Chiachiere

This post originally appeared on Orphan Road.

In the article I linked below, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said, “this is the sound of freedom we hear,” referring to the massive 18-lane highway below him.

But of course, roads are the farthest thing from freedom. They’re massive social engineering projects that tell people where to go and where not to go. The U.S. Highway System offers no more “freedom” than the average Habitrail offers your pet hamster.

This becomes very clear when watching this time lapse video of a Toronto intersection (via Streetsblog):

Scramble from Sam Javanrouh on Vimeo.

The people, the cars, the buses: they’re all moving where they’re told, when they’re told. The system isn’t as apparent when you’re sitting behind the wheel, but it’s there all the same, whether you’re on the road, on foot, or on a train. There are small differences, to be sure, in when you can leave, how long it takes to get there, etc. But they’re small when you consider the controls imposed by the overall system.

The Metaphysics of Earmarks

October 30, 2008 by Frank Chiachiere

This post originally appeared on Orphan Road.

Several bloggers are noting the opening of the 18-lane Katy Freeway in Texas, which will feature tolls, HOV lanes, and probably enough poured concrete to blot out the sun, but no fixed rail transit.

According to Rep. John Culberson, that’s a feature, not a bug. Hilarious contradictions ensue:

Culberson said the job was completed in five years and four months, compared to a likely 10 years or more with conventional funding.

“And without a single federal earmark,” he added.

…

But Culberson, whose ability to get federal dollars was crucial to the widening project, pledged not to give up a single freeway lane for Metro rail.

Apparently earmarks are a bad thing, but having a congressmen set aside money from the federal budget to build an infrastructure project in his home district is a good thing. The difference between the two eludes me. But then, that’s why they pay Culbertson the big bucks.

When was the last time you were stuck in gridlock at 5am?

October 30, 2008October 30, 2008 by Eric Butler

At the recent debate between Kemper Freeman and Mayor Greg Nickels at the UW, Freeman accidentally seconded the argument for more mass transit: It helps rush hour commuters.

The opposition has no alternative plan, and they don’t even understand the problem. Don’t let them ruin the region’s future. Vote YES on Sound Transit Proposition 1 November 4th (it will be at the bottom of your ballot – don’t be confused by your local city prop 1)! You can read our full list of endorsements here.

Even though the election is just days away, there’s still lots to do. Talk to all your friends, coworkers, and random strangers (girls love it when you talk about trains) and make sure they understand how important this proposition is. As always, visit the official ‘yes’ campaign website at http://www.masstransitnow.org/ for more information.

Even Conservatives Don’t Like I-985

October 30, 2008October 30, 2008 by Andrew Smith

Even though I-985 might not be a “liberal” cause, conservatives don’t like I-985 either.

To this link from the previous post, I’m not hugely surprised that I-985 polls best in the greater Seattle area relative to the rest of the state: it was written by Tim Eyman, and even though it’s good for no one, the taken money goes disproportionately to the Puget Sound area.