Northern Belt Line? (Birmingham, Bessemer, Trussville: how much, cost of, buses)

[Tourian]

Why not all of the above? Seems to me they are determined to do this. Both Bachus and Shelby are behind it so it looks like its going to happen no matter what we say. After that they'll continue to collect gasoline tax and will be wanting to spend more money on something else.

This isn't the last thing ALDOT is ever going to do in this state.

[PortCity]

CPG ' s idea for light rail as well as current interstate improvements would be more solid. Do you guys believe that B- ham would support a light rail? I was told that for a light rail to be a success you will need 70,000 daily commuters. I think the first line should be from the airport to Alabaster.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by bluebeard

That's precisely an argument for not building it.

So that no one ever sees it or can make a home there, or create new parks and have a way to get there.

Thank G-d for the interstates, I can't begin to list all the things that I have seen and experienced that were possible only because of them.

But I am usually not a pessimist about most things and I certainly am not afraid of growth. Without it there is no life or future.

raj

[Tourian]

I do not think light rail is the answer. Nor do I think it is a substitute for a northern belt line. One will not do the job for the other. Trucks hauling parts from one of the many growing heavy industries we have that are coming through Birmingham but need to bypass downtown won't have any use for light rail. They may go to the intermodal facility and dock with a train and skirt the city center all together or they may just be coming from Nashville or Memphis and going to Mobile or Montgomery and they stay out of downtown.

Light rail would be cool from say the passenger intermodal center to UAB to Uptown to Perimeter Park but it isn't going to take enough cars off the road or have a large enough network to serve the whole area. It's just not that dense and cars are still too popular and cheap to own.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by PortCity

CPG ' s idea for light rail as well as current interstate improvements would be more solid. Do you guys believe that B- ham would support a light rail? I was told that for a light rail to be a success you will need 70,000 daily commuters. I think the first line should be from the airport to Alabaster.

Our terrain and pop. density do not suggest light rail. Inner city street rail will most likely come about but our street system and terrain seem to suggest Bus Transit. And many forward cities are going there because of flexibility.

Also, there is a definitely dislike for public transit in Birmingham and that won't change for a couple of decades. Plus we are in a state that doesn't intend to fund urban transit along with hwys anytime soon. (like twenty years)

raj

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Besides could you imagine the theft rate of the I-420 signs?

I would want one for sure...lol

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Why not all of the above? Seems to me they are determined to do this. Both Bachus and Shelby are behind it so it looks like its going to happen no matter what we say. After that they'll continue to collect gasoline tax and will be wanting to spend more money on something else.

This isn't the last thing ALDOT is ever going to do in this state.

But we have been waiting for years for those projects to begin, and they are a higher priority than the Northern Beltline IMO. Seriously we don't have any HOV lanes or sound barriers on the interstates around the metro, and we are about to spend billions on this project. Doesn't make sense to me, toll the Northern Beltline and use these earmarked funds for other Birmingham road projects.

[Tourian]

I hear you but I think this would be much easier for people to understand and accept if they stop thinking of it as ~4 billion cash being spent and start thinking of it as a ~4 billion dollar gift card to The Interstate Store being used. it is non-transferable and no cash value, expires in two years.

Tolling the top half and not the bottom half is just plain evil to me. I just don't think that is fair at all. And of course Birmingham road projects don't qualify for this federal aid money.

I think this road is the highest priority.

[mcalumni01]

most things done in the country now comes with a steep price tag. every years prices goes up. no getting around that. so if this was done 20 years ago if might not have been a issue with the cost of it. that's what happens when you wait and wait to do things. get started on it and see where is goes from there. nothing but goodness can happen for that part of the city and county. I mean you got I-65 and the future I-22 along with the northern beltline to the north of the city and county can do nothing but wonders. no doubts cars gone rule now and more perhaps in the future around this area, but having alternatives like light rail could also do a lot of goodness as well particularly from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by Tourian

I hear you but I think this would be much easier for people to understand and accept if they stop thinking of it as ~4 billion cash being spent and start thinking of it as a ~4 billion dollar gift card to The Interstate Store being used. it is non-transferable and no cash value, expires in two years.

Tolling the top half and not the bottom half is just plain evil to me. I just don't think that is fair at all. And of course Birmingham road projects don't qualify for this federal aid money.

I think this road is the highest priority.

I'm not even going to ask how you got so smart on this subject, so please don't answer. I see your wisdom.

raj