Conversation with an Engineer, Street Project

For those of you that want a shorter version of yesterday's video, today we have the truncated version that deals only with the street issues. 

Comments

[Ross Williams]

Actually Chuck, we aren't broke. If your point is the we are spending too much on street "improvements", the video doesn't make it. In fact, it makes a very good case that even if this project in the video actually saved money, it still shouldn't be built.

The issue of safe streets is not a financial issue. Its that engineers are designing streets for their "standards", which have very little to do with livable communities. To the contrary, we have allowed MNDOT to sacrifice communities all over the state for the sole purpose of moving traffic faster. Of course the more traffic there is, the more work there is for traffic engineers and their patrons . Its part of a successful business model for the road construction industry.

The real solution is to give local communities responsibility for the state highways within their boundaries. If these were purely local decisions we would see a lot more urban highways designed as boulevards that provide both capacity and attractive places to live.

For people who live in Grand Rapids, there will be an open house on December 13th from 1 to 4 at City Hall about proposed changes to Highway 169. The changes proposed by MNDOT follow the pattern described in the video. The open house will be followed by a hearing at 6:00.

[Wes Edwards]

An entertaining if sobering video. Fortunately we are starting to see some engineering standards recognise these issues but there is still a long way to go.

streetsforpeople.com - Two Excellent Posts from Strong Towns Blog