Mapping Our Future: New $94 Billion Transportation Plan for NC

[WaldoKitty]

Originally Posted by HP91

That's why I said, I wouldn't give McCrory too much credit.

From what I understand this wasn't something that was part of the GOP agenda. It was McCrory who pushed them to do it. As Mayor of Charlotte for 14 years, he well understood how urban areas were getting shortchanged by the state.

[HP91]

Originally Posted by WaldoKitty

From what I understand this wasn't something that was part of the GOP agenda. It was McCrory who pushed them to do it. As Mayor of Charlotte for 14 years, he well understood how urban areas were getting shortchanged by the state.

I'm not arguing with that...you just look at the length of time it has taken to build I-485 around Charlotte and know that it should have been done quicker (and better).

Problem is the formula they came up with spit out that ONLY projects in Raleigh and Charlotte be done...which of course is ridiculous. The reason it came out that way was because it gave an over importance on the population numbers. I have been on I-540 near Apex and there are sometimes no one on the road...and its 6 lanes.

There has to be a balance...the DOT formula's weren't necessarily wrong, the problem was they were being tinkered with by the politicians. And here's the thing...its not like the projects being built weren't real projects...they were.

What's idiotic is that the DOT was forced to re-prioritize now twice which has only caused more delays in getting stuff built. First it was told to move all the bridge replacement projects up...when many of them could have been deferred 10 years or so...and then this formula fiasco. The republicans are guilty of doing the same thing the democrats were...prioritizing based on politics. They just did it in a different way, they re-prioritized solely because they wanted to blame the democrats formula, not because the numbers said to.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by PDD

Since I hate long distance driving , how about a dedicated Amtrak HS rail line that parallels the existing Amtrak route thru NC. I'd much rather ride at 120 MPH than the usual 79 but realistically 40MPH.
Ditto for VA. SC. GA and FLA.

The trip from NY to Florida could be done in 12 hrs rather than the 24-30 hrs it sometimes takes.

Have you heard about the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor?

[BarLatGo]

Originally Posted by MrBojangles

Have you heard about the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor?

I'd love to see a coastal passenger rail system from maybe around Savannah, GA to something like Virginia Beach, VA that would also offer short daily commuter service.

I think it would greatly reduce traffic congestion, reducing the need to build and expand the existing roads. This could potentially save everyone a bit on their tax bill.
It would reduce pollution and gas consumption.
It would provide easy access to coastal areas that are now relatively isolated, increasing both their tourism and their attractiveness to new businesses.
It could create a whole new tourist industry, with people using the route for extended vacations - a day or two in Savannah, then Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, the Outer Banks, or where ever they want to visit - or for quick day trips from one city to the other. (I'm sure the surfers would love to be able to hop on a train and chase the waves up and down the coast).

So, who wants to fund my idea?? Your donation of $100,000 or more will get you a plaque with your name on it at each rail station!

[WaldoKitty]

Originally Posted by HP91

I'm not arguing with that...you just look at the length of time it has taken to build I-485 around Charlotte and know that it should have been done quicker (and better).

Actually McCrory, as mayor, tried to stop the federal government and state DOT from finishing I-485. The argument is that highway rings around cities are an outdated notion which lead to far more congestion than they prevent. Atlanta is a huge example of this.

McCrory argued the money should be spent on more progressive forms of transportation in Charlotte. He lost out on that one because the are too many monied interests behind road building and the feds and the NCDOT continued on with the project. It's too late to do anything about it now. The road should be finished by the end of the year.