MARTA transit plan includes 21 miles of light rail (road, traffic)

[Mossberg]

It's so frustrating how long it takes for projects to go from concept to completion in this country. There has got to be a better way. Reforms are BADLY needed for these processes. This is sad.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by Mossberg

It's so frustrating how long it takes for projects to go from concept to completion in this country. There has got to be a better way. Reforms are BADLY needed for these processes. This is sad.

Well this is what happens when the Little Man pays taxes to the Big Government. You're lucky if you get anything in return. Look at the California High Speed Rail. They've been had, as the City of Atlanta taxpayers.

Anyhow, knowing how it is around here, did you expect anything different? I knew there wasn't going to be any ground breaking any time soon.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Mossberg

It's so frustrating how long it takes for projects to go from concept to completion in this country. There has got to be a better way. Reforms are BADLY needed for these processes. This is sad.

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

Well this is what happens when the Little Man pays taxes to the Big Government. You're lucky if you get anything in return. Look at the California High Speed Rail. They've been had, as the City of Atlanta taxpayers.

Anyhow, knowing how it is around here, did you expect anything different? I knew there wasn't going to be any ground breaking any time soon.

This is the result of urban renewal and environmental regulation. Before this federal, state, or city governments could use eminent domain to tear down homes, businesses, etc. Environmental regulations ensure that endangered species, residents, and natural protected areas won't be negatively impacted.
But hey this is taking too long! Let's be more like China and just build it, who cares about nearby residents, businesses, and the environment.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by cqholt

This is the result of urban renewal and environmental regulation. Before this federal, state, or city governments could use eminent domain to tear down homes, businesses, etc. Environmental regulations ensure that endangered species, residents, and natural protected areas won't be negatively impacted.
But hey this is taking too long! Let's be more like China and just build it, who cares about nearby residents, businesses, and the environment.

But, does it really take 3-5 years to figure those things out?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

But, does it really take 3-5 years to figure those things out?

FTA studies can take awhile. That is why MoreMARTA Atlanta is proposing Summerhill BRT, North Ave BRT, and Streetcar East Extension as the first projects funded because they will not require matching federal funding.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by SAAN

Why is it going to take 5 yrs to get a BRT bus service going and 15 yrs for the beltine to be completed on a right of way they already have.


Sadly many of us will be dead before metro ATL gets transit where it needs to be going. Only $4-5 gas prices over a extended time would speed that up.

20-30 years is the blink of an eye in terms of transit planning and development. "We will build no line before its time."

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

But, does it really take 3-5 years to figure those things out?

Yep, and it ain't just rail construction either.

Preliminary engineering for I-285/GA 400 began in 1993, with ground-breaking a quarter-century later.

[SEAandATL]

One thing that you can do besides voting is donations to the Beltline. Myself included. I'm going to start contributing. I have no right to complain if I'm not doing something to change it.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

Well this is what happens when the Little Man pays taxes to the Big Government. You're lucky if you get anything in return. Look at the California High Speed Rail. They've been had, as the City of Atlanta taxpayers.

Anyhow, knowing how it is around here, did you expect anything different? I knew there wasn't going to be any ground breaking any time soon.

Its the Feds paying for things and the Environmental protections.

If you pay for it yourself, it can be done in less than half the time. Texas has done that with some toll roads.

But in fairness, I think some of this delay is a pay as you go philosophy, waiting for the sales tax to come in.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bu2

Its the Feds paying for things and the Environmental protections.

If you pay for it yourself, it can be done in less than half the time. Texas has done that with some toll roads.

But in fairness, I think some of this delay is a pay as you go philosophy, waiting for the sales tax to come in.

They can leverage bonds against future tax collections.