Plan to build a 45 million dollar cyclist bridge along Lakeshore Drive gets ok (Chicago: unemployment rate, purchase)

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna

You know why?

Several CTA stations can be rebuilt with the money spent on this stupid bridge.

True, but money spent on infrastructure is money spent well, IMO.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

True, but money spent on infrastructure is money spent well, IMO.

Public transit infrastructure is more important than a stupid bike bridge.

[DANNYY]

This money could have been spent to better upgrade the CTA stops and make them better for use in the winter. It's whatever though, at least its not some hippie statute of Daley.

[chikid]

I agree with the CTA comments. I think this bridge is cool, but it would have been better if it would have gone towards the CTA. Some of the Red and Blue Line stations are just horrible. The CTA gets highly used all year round. The bridge however come December - March would only be used a little bit.

[SJaye]

There are also countless other areas of the city government that waste large sums of money!

Besides, doesn't the money to upgrade CTA stops come from the RTA budget, which collects 1% sales tax in Cook County? I know the RTA has budget troubles too, but aren't they in the process of building a new METRA station near US Celluar Field (on the Rock Island line)? I am just asking because it seems like when asking if it is better to build a bicycle bridge, or a few new CTA stations, it seems as if the money would be coming from two different bodies (City Transportation fund vs. RTA), and therefore this would be a non question.

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by SJaye

There are also countless other areas of the city government that waste large sums of money!

Exactly. And wasted on nothing at all.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna

Public transit infrastructure is more important than a stupid bike bridge.

Wow, now I know where the 45M price tag comes from. We will have the worlds first bridge with artificial intelligence built in. How cool that the bridge will be able to tell people to stay right or get off the phone while cycling!
Well how else can you explain a bridge being "stupid"?

I understand your argument about other uses for the funding. But the large number of walkers, runners, bladers and cyclists probably don't feel this bridge is "stupid".

Where is the funding coming from? Sometimes it can be used elsewhere, sometimes the uses are quite narrow.

[westsideJ]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna

there needs to be special taxes and fees on bikes and bike riders if bike people want bike related amenities.

It is only fair. Car owners pay through the wazzoo already for car related projects.

Bike owners/riders can pay at least part of the bill for bike projects.

By the way, bike riders should be required to buy insurance too.

***couldn't agree more***

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

I understand your argument about other uses for the funding. But the large number of walkers, runners, bladers and cyclists probably don't feel this bridge is "stupid".

Exactly. Given that such demographics put very little wear-and-tear stress on the surface, this is actually going to be one of the more financially logical projects. There are millions upon millions of people who will *immediately* benefit from this in its first year.

And again, anything that makes our #1 tourist attraction, Navy Pier, more attractive and easy to get to is a wise investment.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna
there needs to be special taxes and fees on bikes and bike riders if bike people want bike related amenities.

It is only fair. Car owners pay through the wazzoo already for car related projects.

Bike owners/riders can pay at least part of the bill for bike projects.

By the way, bike riders should be required to buy insurance too.

Originally Posted by westsideJ

***couldn't agree more***

So my tax dollars aren't enough?
If you are advocating a direct fee for services approach, get ready to pay more for driving and using public transit because I have yet to see credible evidence that these are completely self funding.