Quote:
Originally Posted by alexjon
I imagine through 410-- path of least resistance.
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I agree with ya that it's the path of least resistance, but I think it's wishful thinking on your part. The existing trackage they are talking about is the UP spur that runs from the near westside out to the quarry behind the rim, used only by the aggregate train that runs about 7-9 times a week here of late. I'm sure the LR could run from Fort Sam down the existing trackage into downtown, then onto the spur out to camp bullis. This seems the most feasable plan as the trackage is already there. There is no existing trackage/ROW along that stretch of 410 between 35 and West Avenue/Jackson-Keller where the spur runs under 410. Real estate along 410 is some of the most expensive in the city and TxDOT is about 3/5ths of the way complete with the 410 expansion across the entire northern arc of 410. Everything from 410 at Callaghan to the airport is completed, with the stretch to Austin Highway underway presently. I cant imagine anyone stepping to the front of the line with funding to tear any of it up again. I'm pretty pro-mass transit, but after enduring 10 years of construction on the section I frequently travel between 10 and 281, I'd be willing to chain myself to an overpass to stop it. I get Fort Sam's contribution to the SA economy. I get the importance and opportunity of a 410 lightrail line. But after TEN FING YEARS of absolutely hellish traffic due to the construction, ramps closed for miles, busted up pavement, etc, I just couldn't deal with it all over again. I don't think you could imagine the uproar a 410 construction for LR would create in this community, especially from less enlightened folx than myself. After all, this is SA, where the crusty old geezer military retiree population has nothing better to do than sit at Jim's and complain all day. These are the same people who railed against adding fluoride to our water, not in 1955 but in 2001. They'd complain about the security costs to taxpayers if Bill Gates showed up in Alamo Plaza and started giving away $100 bills.
I will say this tho. I love Hardberger more and more each day. That man is a visionary. Too bad the same crusty geezers fooled people into enacting term limits 20 years ago. We could use another 4 years of his leadership.