Biggest Philadelphia Regional Infrastructure Waste (Ambler: live in, buses, safety)

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by pman

life in dc is no different

Who said anything about DC? FWIW I found highway traffic to flow a lot better during the off-hours, in part because people aren't afraid to drive 75 two-and-a-half car lengths apart from one another, which is pretty scary. Rush hour gridlock is probably just as bad though--maybe even worse. I suppose they have less of an excuse, given that DC was far less developed during the highway building boom.

[pman]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Who said anything about DC? FWIW I found highway traffic to flow a lot better during the off-hours, in part because people aren't afraid to drive 75 two-and-a-half car lengths apart from one another, which is pretty scary. Rush hour gridlock is probably just as bad though--maybe even worse. I suppose they have less of an excuse, given that DC was far less developed during the highway building boom.

oh was that the other thread?
I don't know, I found traffic in DC to be nightmarish on the maryland side, the beltway just gets tied up like the schuykill at all hours...but you're right, DC wasn't much of a place in the railroad era and was much less densely populated. it was just a piece of swamp land until jefferson cut a deal to move the capitol there. OTOH, the regional rail network is much better here than in DC. their trains don't even run on the weekend (VRE, MARC is just starting weekend service)

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

There is no reason why this region can't offer better rail service to outlying areas AND upgrade/improve its highway systems. How are other parts of the country doing this? Why can't we do what other regions do? And to think Philadelphia (and Pennsylvania) was once at the forefront of so many important things in this country. Now we tolerate visionless leadership and stagnancy.

It is frustrating, but I think major part of the inaction of our politicians is that there is an unprecedented level of competition across the state for fewer funds. This problem is definitely not unique to the Philly area, but it is more pronounced here because we have to put more of our limited dollars to maintenance/upgrades than expansion projects.

Gone are the days where the federal government provided support for transportation projects. States pretty much have to fend for themselves. This puts states with particularly old infrastructure like PA in a big bind.

Pennsylvania's rural legislators need to let go of their petty politics and understand that if our cities/urban areas suffer from under investment, the whole state suffers.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Duderino

... This problem is definitely not unique to the Philly area, but it is more pronounced here because we have to put more of our limited dollars to maintenance/upgrades than expansion projects. ...

over the years its been easier to fund new highways than to maintain or expand existing ones which is another reason you've seen more construction in sun belt states and a big reason why the US ended up building a highway system it couldn't afford.

[NJhighlands87]

Burlington City, Roebling

Ill give you Bordentown and Riverton...if Burlington and Roebling are considered revitalized now, I cringe to think what they were like 10 years ago.

I agree light rail mass transit is a great thing and something south Jersey needs more of, it would just have been nice if the price paid for the River Line had gotten us direct access to Philly, or late night service. It would also be nice to see more transit villages and other TOD along the line 10 years in.

[stuckinsj]

I said revitalizing... not done yet. Transit is only part of the solution to revitalizing urban areas.... they were pretty bad 10 years ago.

[killakoolaide]

SEPTA as a whole.

It's workers are a drain on the system, the ask for too much, and work too little. At the moment they are just concerned with maintaining what they have, never mind improvements and expansion.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by killakoolaide

SEPTA as a whole.

It's workers are a drain on the system, the ask for too much, and work too little. At the moment they are just concerned with maintaining what they have, never mind improvements and expansion.

I don't know. It seems like driving a bus through our crowded, narrow streets all day is a tough job. Plus dealing with assorted jackasses who ride the system adds to the challenge. Those drivers earn every penny. However, those guys that just sit in the booths at the BSL and MFL stations are another story entirely.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by NJhighlands87

It's not in Philly proper, but some argue the Riverline in NJ is a billion-dollar waste. I personally like it, but it does underwhelm with its lack of access to Philly, slow commute times, and 9:00PM last call. Moreover, it has failed to revitalize many of the towns through which it passes. A whole string of walkable downtown villages with public transit access shouldn't look so dull and dingy 10 years into the program.

It was never intended to go to Philly. Ridership has been on the incline for 7 straight years. Its a definite sucess.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

It was never intended to go to Philly. Ridership has been on the incline for 7 straight years. Its a definite sucess.

Exactly. What's wrong with having a rail line that goes to Mercer County? Mercer County in general is a large employment hub for the region. Why not have easy access to that location.