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The Train
Raise your hand if you've
ever been stopped by a train in Ann Arbor. Ok, have you two ever
been stopped more than once?
Seriously, does anyone know
when the train is used? And, how often? It certainly isn't
that often, otherwise the University wouldn't allow an open, unmarked,
crosswalk without any signals on their property (see below). I would
hope that city officials would know EXACTLY when the train is used before
voting to spend $21 million dollars.
It turns out, the train is
used 2 Times per Day (per Washtenaw County Dept. of
Transportation), and not even during business hours. It does not get
used on Football Saturdays. Stopping on an
early trip to Denny's does not justify building a bridge for a cost of $20
to $30 million dollars.
The Opinion
Letter is concerned with at Grade Rail Crossings.
But... The Study Leaves out
that 9 exist in downtown Ann Arbor
already, with heavy pedestrian traffic from the University Students!
And, Ann Arbor wouldn't have
over 10 at grade street crossings within 2 miles of the area being
discussed if they were not accepted as safe.
Sure, even my 10
year old son knows they are more dangerous than not having one.
Driving down a highway at 70 MPH is more risky than not driving, but MDOT
still builds highways. And of course the railroad would prefer not
to have crossings they have to worry about. But, when they are
already a standard, every day part of our city, can we justify spending
over $20 million dollars just to eliminate one? It is fine to have a
goal, but those goals must align with fiscal priorities. I would
think their are many other goals more important than eliminating at grade
crossings. Just take a walk into any of our elementary schools here
in Ann Arbor, and plenty of needs will stand out.
People have
talked about "The New Train System" that Michigan is going to build - and
they have talked for over 20 years. If that happens, great.
But, are bridges going to be built at ever red dot on the picture above?
If not, then what is special about State and Stadium? Is Ann Arbor
in a position to spend $20 million dollars that they don't have (just
ask the City Administrator after his latest budget discussion...) to
protect the golden railroad of tomorrow? Can Ann Arbor justify
asking the Federal Government for money that they don't have for this
"Want?" It is certainly not a need, and right now, with so many needs
going unaddressed, pet projects like this cannot be afforded.
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