The mess on Mesa this Sunday did not occur.
Had they actually closed the freeway for 18 hours, public safety–ambulance, fire and police services would have been paralyzed.
After considering the safety issues think of the economic ones. How much time and money would have been wasted crawling Mesa? What impression would have we left on the people from out of town that were trying to pass through?
Our city representative on the west side was quoted in an opinion piece in the Times the other day.
“We’re a big city and this is not a bad problem to have at this time because it’s preparing us for the future,” said city Rep. Cortney Niland, who represents much of the area affected by construction. “I know it’s frustrating, and I’m stuck in that traffic, too, but I’m begging everybody to be patient and let’s get through this as best we can. It’s all we can do.”
Accepting failure
She was absolutely wrong. There were things that could be done to lessen the problem.
I spoke with someone who told me that me he talked with the mayor this Sunday. The mayor evidently indicated that he got a commitment from the people involved to keep three lanes open in each direction.
Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Governing involves more than posturing.
We deserve better
Brutus
Most of the mess of a dysfunctional hall is because of an incompetent mayor who doesn’t know how or refuses to lead..
my Oscar he doesn’t take a stand on anything and has no spine or vision!
LikeLike
The mayor doesn’t have the power, interest or intellectual ability to force three lanes to be open. He doesnt get things done nor have a platform. He just shows up to cut ribbons.
LikeLike
I totally agree. And I want to know why anyone would gripe about this issue — which is over with — when the Times pointed out that Romero is involved up to his arm pits in the worst kind of cronyism. If the mayor wants to do something worthwhile, he should call for an ethics violation against Romero. But he won’t. He doesn’t have the balls.
LikeLike
That Larry, he’s such a good boy.
LikeLike
At the most recent West Side Community meeting with Moody, Haggerty, Fenenbock, Hatch, and Svarbein, the city rep was jubilant about the plans to go forward with the trolley project. Unfortunately, the TXDOT folks also provided the 4 year plan to expand the I-10 at the same time. The problem: arterial relief for freeway construction is compromised, making the next few years a mess for commuters.
Rather than road projects, Park and Rides, van pools, Brio lanes, and similar projects should take precedence. Divestment from fossil-based transportation should be the focus.
Xavier Miranda
LikeLike
Makes sense to push for the streetcar project considering it is an all electric fixed rail mass transit option. Not sure why you are hating on it then Xavier considering it just another option to encourage people from not just using their fossil fuel dependent cars. With this project successful hopefully people will be more open toward riding other forms of mass transit
LikeLike
Keep dreaming. This is Texas. People love their cars and big trucks and they’re in a hurry. The urban sprawl also doesn’t make mass transit a viable option for most residents.
LikeLike
RC, you got it ! Duh is the one that is dreaming. Where’s the bicycle traffic jams they predicted when they painted the lanes and started the bicycle rental business.
LikeLike
Yeah because we derive our electricity from solar sources and not fossil fuels…
LikeLike
It is NOT a transit project because its route is already served by bus. If it were really meant to relieve traffic it would connect the west and east shopping centers with stops at UTEP, DTEP, and MCA. It’s about increasing the real estate values along the route by creating a Disney World ambience, except people here are too busy working out of their pickup truck to ride the trolley and enjoy a latte in the afternoon.
LikeLike
Mesa traffic is a big enough mess trying to get downtown in the mornings and home in the evenings on weekdays. If TxDOT and the city keep telling everyone to take Mesa, it’s only going to get worse. I hate to think what it is going to be like next year when they close more of I-10.
Brutus has a legitimate concern about emergency vehicles. They already have a difficult time due not just to traffic congestion during peak hours, but also to the fact that so many drivers do not follow the law and yield to emergency vehicles.
LikeLike
Perhaps we need to have a talky-to with the TexDOT person that thought closing the freeway in both directions on a holiday weekend would be a good idea.
LikeLike