(David Brower, this post complies because though it addresses Burnsville, it is fundamentally about Minneapolis.)
This was the letter I sent to the Burnsville City Council about the I-35W Access Project. If I were them, I would be infuriated that Minneapolis is dragging its feet, lagging way behind Burnsville on transit. What is going on here? Dear Mayor Kautz and Burnsville City Councilmembers, Extraordinary challenges require extraordinary measures. Our current transportation quagmire necesitates partnership, and not antagonism, between the inner city and the suburbs. Haphazard transportation funding has propelled the Twin Cities to an embarrassing distinction of most gridlocked metro area in the midwest. I35W, Burnsville's primary link to Minneapolis, must be revamped in order to accomodate growth projections over the coming century. With unparalleled foresight, Burnsville has taken steps in the right direction. The Burnsville Transit Station is second to none. Clearly, you take seriously the need to provide alternatives to the automobile in order to alleviate congestion. Minneapolis, on the other hand, is considering a far inferior alternative which will hamper your efforts at moving people and goods through the metro on 35W. The $155 million 35W Access Project proposes an expensive and superfluous flyover ramp to 28th Street, only three blocks north of existing access at 31st Street; $40 million to widen bridges for future HOV lanes - note, no construction of transit lanes now or any time soon; a southbound exit and northbound entrance at Lake. The project has been driven by the interests of a few large corporations, who stand to benefit immensely from easy access, to the detriment of you and us who stand to suffer the fallout of another freeway expansion, with little heed to long-term alleviation of congestion. The city of Minneapolis is very skeptical of the project, though MnDOT and a coalition of private interests are pursuing it aggressively. A resolution in opposition from Burnsville would send a strong message that, contrary to the jaded opinions of some city residents, suburban dwellers really do demand transportation choices. Would your city council consider a resolution demanding a new project, with more consideration of the whole transportation needs in Burnsville? A dedicated busway - buses only - to be constructed now, not later, would eliminate congestion for commuters from Burnsville to downtown. Please see our website, www.stride-mn.org for more information on the 35W Access Project. Sincerely, Jeff Carlson, Minneapolis __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site http://webhosting.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
