This line was the only line in the ENTIRE mid-west that met not only the basic standards of the FTA, but the standard established by the GOP under Pres. Bush! Build it NOW!
To all those who argue against public transit because it ‘subsidizes freeloaders who don’t own cars’, are you serious? If that’s the case then I challenge all those who feel that way to not drive their cars on any taxpayer subsidized roadway, local road, state highway or federal interstate, and don’t even think about flying out of a taxpayer subsidized airport on a taxpayer subsidized airline. As soon as your car leaves your driveway you are using a taxpayer subsidized transportation system. Oh and by the way, that car your driving is taxpayer subsidized, maybe not the car itself but the factory it was built in surely was. Think about that.
Once again short-sighted politicians who are more interested in posturing than in helping their constituents. When businesses, chamber of commerce and communities come together on an issue, state politicians should listen, because all those folks might be on to something that is needed and will help both on the local level and the state as a whole.
The state is $8 to $12 billion in the hole just a few years out. We can’t afford to maintain what we have let alone build lines of questionable value such as this one.
I guess if the NFL wanted this it would be approved. Shortsighted indeed
I guess if the NFL wanted this it would be approved. Shortsighted indeed
I concur. Being a conservative voter in a largely Republican house & Senate district in my south sub urban city of Apple Valley, Minnesota, my vote my not have much clout, but we need to get the idiots who voted against this small amount of money out of their seats and listen to the will of the people.
There is an excellent express bus service from Eden Prairie right now – as well as good city bus service from the interior portions of the areas that the line would serve. Southwest Transit provides a door to downtown service on intercity style motor coaches vs. the 12 or so stops that the light rail line would make. I think the legislature made the right and most cost effective decision – as well as one that the commuters from the furthest locals will continue to appreciate.
There is an excellent express bus service from Eden Prairie right now – as well as good city bus service from the interior portions of the areas that the line would serve. Southwest Transit provides a door to downtown service on intercity style motor coaches vs. the 12 or so stops that the light rail line would make. I think the legislature made the right and most cost effective decision – as well as one that the commuters from the furthest locals will continue to appreciate.
When absurdly overbuilt Interstate highway interchanges cost $1 Billion, makes one wonder about this country’s priorities. We are not properly investing in the future here. Nothing comes for free, including subsidized highways.
I find it ironic that funding infrastructure is Marxist that will take some cars off of the crowded roads in the twin cities, but subsidizing billionaires to build a new football stadium is free enterprise? We need to get our priorities straight in this country.
Maybe they could re-route the line to go to the new taxpayer-funded Vikings stadium? Then Minnesota officials would fall all over themselves throwing money at it??
Maybe they could re-route the line to go to the new taxpayer-funded Vikings stadium? Then Minnesota officials would fall all over themselves throwing money at it??
Here is a state with a legislature that is far more intelligent than the governor (which probably isn’t saying too much). Times have changed. We can no longer afford these ridiculous pie-in-the-sky ideas from the wackos. At least the football stadium will probably cover its costs.
Wow the state can give all the money to the Vikings though.
To Susan Haigh’s statement about “The urgent need for this line requires exploring other funding…”. Yes, I’m sure it’s urgent. How about this…the people who ride actually pay for it. Just like all other public transit and high speed rail pipe dreams, you want someone else to pay for it.
I’m sick of it.
Hooray to the Minnesota legislature.
Thinking back to the 1950’s when one could board a street car (early version of light rail) in Stillwater and ride to Excelsior (other side of the Twin Cities) where the fun park was located. Considering the sprawl of the Twin City area, this light rail corridor does make sense. But all those Viking fans are now going to get their new stadium. Plus they get to pay $25+ for parking and additional tax on their beer at a game.
The common denominator in many states is the republican control of state senate and or house is to block any sensible spending on things like mass transit in favor of spending cuts or tax breaks or laying off teachers or policemen or civil servants rather than invest in infrastructure. Not to mention the fact that most state republican controlled legislatures are more interested in anti abortion laws or anti gay laws than actually solving real problems. Please encourage everyone to become politically active and contact your local reps.
A new stadium for the Vikings is more important than fixing the transportation infrastructure and traffic woes? Let the purple pansies move to San Antonio.