Two GOP Senators call the North SHore Connector a Waste

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by aveojohn

With the huge amount of money wasted on this usless project, serving only the north shore, we could have gotten so much more. Perhaps another busway or two, serving more of the people who payed for it and will never use it. Very sad indeed.

East Busway extension to Monroeville? Some sort of new North Hills transit system? Allegheny Valley Commuter Rail? Streetcar system running from Downtown to the Strip and/or South Side? I wouldn't go as far as to say the North Shore Connector was a total waste, as I like to see any project that involves extending our light rail system, but I do agree with you that the same amount of money could have gone to fund these things... and could have potentially had MORE impact on transit in the region.

[jimmyev]

Originally Posted by Impala26

East Busway extension to Monroeville? Some sort of new North Hills transit system? Allegheny Valley Commuter Rail? Streetcar system running from Downtown to the Strip and/or South Side? I wouldn't go as far as to say the North Shore Connector was a total waste, as I like to see any project that involves extending our light rail system, but I do agree with you that the same amount of money could have gone to fund these things... and could have potentially had MORE impact on transit in the region.

If you went by this criteria, virtually all freeway construction would be a waste. The amount it costs to build a 26-lane freeway - funded by the stimulus, but not considered by McCain and his ilk to be a waste - is far more than urban transit projects, and much less efficient when measured by cost per passenger mile. I do wonder what the final cost per passenger mile of the connector will be, considering Pittsburgh already seems to have the most inefficient light rail system in the country cost-wise.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by jimmyev

If you went by this criteria, virtually all freeway construction would be a waste. The amount it costs to build a 26-lane freeway - funded by the stimulus, but not considered by McCain and his ilk to be a waste - is far more than urban transit projects, and much less efficient when measured by cost per passenger mile. I do wonder what the final cost per passenger mile of the connector will be, considering Pittsburgh already seems to have the most inefficient light rail system in the country cost-wise.

I agree that freeways are just as expensive as public transit. For example, I-76 and I-95 in Philly never actually meet so starting this fall, $650 million will be spent to make this happen.
Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I assume some may think this is a waste also.

[PeterRabbit]

The Fed asked Pittsburgh if they could do anything useful with $2.5 billion and mayor Murphy said sure, we'll build a subway under the river to my house.