Ok, I'm listening to the radio (KUHF in Houston) and they are talking about the traffic problems around Reliant Stadium. They had some meeting today to discuss getting more federal and state money for transportation funding of projects in and around Houston. So, former Mayor Bob Lanier gets on the mic and says that the traffic around Reliant Stadium is indicative of a systematic transportation problem. Well, no ****, Bob! Wait a minute. Isn't this the same guy that campaign and WON his way into office on an anti-rail platform??? Now, he says, we need better mass transportation including light rail to make the city more easy to navigate. WHA????? Here's the REALLY crazy part. Tom DeLay gets up to the mic and says that it is essential that we go over all the options, especially light rail and commuter rail, to eliviate problems like the Reliant Stadium traffic. WTF???? This is the same guy who blocked Houston's entire highway funding package just TWO YEARS AGO unless we agreed that not a single dime would be spent on any rail programs even though he allowed Dallas to do whatever they wanted with their money. Mayors from his district went to Washington to plead with him for light rail because they didn't want more freeways. So, now that FOOTBALL is threatened, we need light rail? Holy crap! So, all we needed 15 years ago was for people to complain about the traffic to Oilers games and we wouldn't have to deal with all the smog and congestion we have today? I guess I can die now because I've just heard it all.
I think that is pretty darn dumb. It sounds like the politically incorrect people in Houston arise, eh?
Most politicians do what is popular, this is important right now so they really "want to make a difference." So whatever they can do to keep their cushy jobs, they will, nothing new. Not really that suprising to me.
Solution: Move downtown and then you can take the train. Oh wait...that was meant for the Olympics... Oh wait...nevermind.
Actually, it was meant mainly for the football team. They were the one's that pushed for the light rail system and they are the one's now pushing for big transportation changes throughout the city. McNair has huge pull in the local, state and even national GOP who have traditionally been opposed to light rail even though Kay Bailey Hutchison pushed pretty hard for it. The problem is that, as Sonny put it, most politicians have no vision. It is just really surprising from these two particularly. Both of them swore there would NEVER be light rail in Houston as long as they had anything to say about it. It's frustrating to think that we could have been developing this for the past 15 years, but because of their stubbornness, we had to wait until now.
Hey man...you're preaching to the choir. Hmmm. I assumed the Olympic bid was a major factor in the initial Metrorail route since they were pushing it so hard in the bid. Didn't know that...
Actually, the light rail plan was supposed to be primarily for the Super Bowl in 2004, but that fell threw when our wonderful former councilman Rob Todd sued the city to block building it all the way to the Supreme Court delaying it by about 5 months and costing the city approximately $1 million in the process. As a result, it won't be done in time for the Super Bowl - at least they think not. Also, this is part of the Main Street and Cotswald Projects that have been undertaken to improve the quality of downtown streets through the med center and to Reliant. The Main Street Coalition pulled together several million dollars from corporate sponsors and the city pitched in about $1 million for its project that will include lining the entire street with oak trees and creating large pedestrian malls like the one that was recently approved. It's a pretty massive undertaking and most of it will be done by mid 2004.
This is all pretty amusing. Utah gagged on the thought of light rail a few years back, and now the trains are packed non-stop. Thank goodness for a wiser federal government. Oh wait, that was the Clinton administration. Thank goodness for... ummm, beer. And blueberries.
You guys don’t have light rail? We have it and we’re ¼ your size. We go it for the Olympics. But wait, you guys haven’t hosted an Olympic yet. …snicker, snicker … I’m sorry, that was mean. Incidentally, our LRT is doing great. Its usage is way up. It’s making money, and it’s currently being expanded. http://www.calgarytransit.com/
I am an individual who identifies himself as a Republican but has been in favor of a comprehensive rail system for YEARS. I don't know how to get it done, but I mean comprehensive as in a NY mass transit system comprehensive. You should be able to get anywhere at any time. Then we could get rid of those infernal Metro busses which clog traffic with the frequent stops. I also for this reason am not a big fan of Tom DeLay the project because it doesn't include Sugarland.
I am a liberal democrat on social issues-I have a heart, and a conservative Republican on most financial, business, and tax issues. I just want our hard earned money spent wisely.... I remember we had a hard time getting approval on a 150 to 175 mil arena for the Rockets which I had supported for years. THe latest price tag I have heard for Reliant stadium is $449 mill after and original projected cost of $ 225 to 250 mil. I wonder why they bothered with a budget at all. I work as a Constructiion manager for a small firm. We use a benchmark of a 10% over run in cost to a project - covered by change orders as not out of the norm- things unexpected happen. Beyond that if there is an over run of 15% or more in approved extra work for change orders, we see it a as a job with poor engineering. Obviously football is politically powerful in Houston, but why did the Sports authority get a blank check for the Texans, and we had so much trouble getting 1/3 the funding for a multi purpose arena? I know I am all over the place in this thread, but politics a is a strange, but predictable business. Tom Delay was posturing against light rail in an urban area with serious air pollution problems. I am anti government in many financial respects, but light rail will pay off dividends..... I have not heard one complaint about the cost over run for the stadium, but I'll bet we have trouble getting additional parking or light rail for Rocket fans going to games. I mean - could they extend the light rail to the Brown convention center area to benefit Rockets and Astros fans???
TBAR, You have just described all americans. I contend that No one gripes about taxes because of Taxes in general . .. IT is just that we think WE spend OUT Money better than the Government. If the Gov was spending wisely I doubt you would have half the griping Rocket River 500$ hammer Please. . .
Back to the Future? Anyway: They should (have) put rail from Brookshire to downtown, with major lines running north-south near Highway 6, Beltway 8, 610 (think: Galleria), they need to link the Medical Center as well. Rail from out past Sugarland to downtown as well. How to pay for it? Got me on that one. But they came up with the money to expand I-10 and create a nightmare for the next ten years. Just put Tom DeLay on one of the new tracks and run him over real slow-like and videotape it so's I can watch. (pant pant) I love many things about my native city but it can be chicken-sh** depressing at times.
Bingo - "I'm your density." Under the 2025 plan isn't rail supposed to be run from all sides The North (Conroe/Woodlands) to downtown Then from the West (Katy) The South from Galveston? The East from LaPorte/Baytown? Then from Sugarland to downtown also? If we can afford to pay for three new stadiums in the last 5 years then we can afford to put in some light rail... This is Metro's page about the 2025 plan, it is still up in the air about what they are going to do. http://www.hou-metro.harris.tx.us/2025/mm2025.htm
Each one of these lines from the suburbs to downtown will cost around $1 BILLION. That's the cost of all 3 stadiums. If you run lines from Woodlands, Sugarland, Baytown, and Galveston you are looking at $4 BILLION!!! Not to mention that only 25,000 people work downtown. Many people work in the Galleria area and Greenway Plaza. No rail solution there. That also ignores that HUGE suburban areas are left uncovered by the plan. What about the potential riders in Jersey Village, Willowbrook, Missouri City, Stafford, Alvin, Clear Lake, Friendswood, etc etc etc? Only a truly COMPREHENSIVE rail plan makes any sense at all. That being said I'm in favor of rail...just the right rail plan.
I know the cost is going to be massive, but it is worth it. Like you said we need a solid plan to work with. If the rail doesn't connect to these areas then they can setup park and rides from there to the rail stations or something like that. I want to get the air/traffic cleaned up in Houston.
chalk up another conservative (well, at least by this BBS's standards) in favor of light rail. My reasons aren't real scientific though. I just know that it seems like the coolest cities I've been in don't have buses as their main mode of mass transit. Light rail is a much more easy, seemingly clean, and fun way to get around. It would be nice to see pollution reduced too, but I think it's gonna take more than just a few light rail lines to do that.
