A Minneapolis subway system? I think it's a great
idea!!! I bet all the out-of-towners here for the
NCAA would agree, too.
It could cost $10 - $20 billion and still make
economic and environmental sense. That's a (very)
rough guess as to the present value of the stream of
expenses associated with our current, above-ground
transportation system. You could justify spending
much more, if you factored in all the "car culture"
costs (air pollution, collateral damage from oil
drilling, etc.) that we currently assign no value to
whatsoever.
On the flip side, think of the multiplier effect of
all that spending on the local economy!
I can see several benefits flowing from a truly
enlightened underground system:
1. Subways, unlike highways, don't spring
potholes. So, ongoing maintenance costs for an
underground system should be dramatically
lower. Plus, it's a lot more pleasant to use
in this kind of climate (see #3).
2. The ultimate "smart growth" strategy. If the
car creates a centrifugal force towards the
suburbs, a subway would generate a centripetal
force towards the inner city.
3. Egalitarian nature. Where do you think the
SUV's parked in suburban driveways spend the
day? In underground parking lots downtown!
After all, underground lots are dry, warm, and
incredibly convenient to the skyway system
(also enclosed). Why not let the general
public in on this perk?
4. Aesthetic benefit. Riding the subway is an
intrinsic part of NY City. DC's metro is
superb!
Taxation, fiscal policy, etc. are not the only things
that are either progressive or regressive; so are
transportation systems.
I'd happily see local and state government spend $1
for a new metro transportation system for every penny
they put into new stadiums. Plus, if the federal
government can spend $15 billion on a Boston tunnel,
there's no reason why it can't help us out.
Ross Kaplan
Fulton
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