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... crickets... Are people really afraid of Republicans as it seems? Just curious.

^I don't like the frequency of these total shutdowns, but I mind less if RTA is making real improvements and maintenance to the rail system. If they're tearing down deteriorating bridges over the Red Line --- which they'd have to do anyway, OC or no OC, then fine. If it's replacing the track deck on Blue-Green line bridges, then OK. But what bugs me are these constant ODOT shutdowns, notably the Inner Belt which has been constant, and RTA isn't specifying why. The main girders for the bridge supports were moved into place a few weeks ago, now the East Side Rapid is shut down ... AGAIN this weekend because of ODOT... now what. RTA has done a piss-poor job of communicating a schedule and spelling out specifically why they are having all these non-rail related shutdowns, nor are they presenting any schedule as to why. And of course, neither Alison Grant nor the lazy PD is asking these questions either. Also, you haven't addressed, (really, RTA should address), why the regular rail maintenance shutdowns, single tracking and slowdowns, and we still have tons of "slow zones" on the Red Line. In fact, on a couple spots on the Red Line west, trains literally came to a stop in more than one place. Why?

NOTE: Now that this horrible taxpayer-funded road project has been ram-rodded through, I'm seeing more and more articles like this which, to me = Buyer's Remorse. Is there time to get design and planning right for Opportunity Corridor? By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer Follow on Twitter on May 29, 2015 at 7:08 AM, updated May 29, 2015 at 1:19 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio – Terry Schwarz, director of Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, posed a zinger of a question at the City Club forum on Wednesday about the city's massive Opportunity Corridor boulevard project. "How can this be better?" she asked a panel that included Freddy Collier, Cleveland's planning director, and Myron Pakush, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 12, which is overseeing the three-mile, $331 million road project. "All of this rhetoric around it being a pedestrian-friendly, multi-modal corridor, it doesn't align with what we're seeing in the images," she said. http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/05/is_there_still_time_to_get_the.html

This past weekend, I rode out to the airport on the Red Line to meet a buddy flying into town... Although he was impressed by our train service, the ride itself was not the most pleasant experience. Although it's nice to see more of the rehabbed trains now online, what's up with all the Slow Zones on the Red Line. The trains were slowing, stopping and starting much of the route. I thought these were fixed as of all the rail maintenance single-tracking and shutdowns RTA ballyhoos. What's the point if serious corrective action isn't being taken? Even on the short trip I often take from TC to Ohio City, the "Slow" section just outside of the Tower City tunnel has been that way now for several years. What is RTA doing!? ... or not doing? Calling the Red Line a rapid transit is almost an oxymoron these days.

I'm kinda glad the pundits are saying Cleveland's the underdog. As we've seen, LeBron HATES that term. It should fire him up, and if he's fired up, you can bet he'll have "the kids" fired up too.

^I thought the monorail was LV's rapid transit. Why isn't it working out that way? Why is it clumsy? There is a ton invested in it although (too lazy to look up) I believe the casinos largely footed the bill, no?

^I get that removing the industrial track and relocating the eastbound track were big jobs. But those changes were done pretty quickly nearly 2 years ago-- even though putting Red Line trains back in service through the station area seemed to drag on. The station building just seems to be going very slowly, and opening dates (including restoring Red Line service) have been pushed back. Other equally large and complex station projects, like the E. 55 street station rebuild that interrupted service on 3 different rail routes, moved along faster (and was completed on schedule) than Little Italy.

One positive, quiet innovation at the Blue-Green line junction at Shaker Square went on line recently (apparently). Gone forever (I hope) is the (semi) manual, push-button switch whereby train drivers would have to slowly sidle their vehicles up to the button, stop and push for whichever branch they wanted to proceed along. I hadn't noticed it until the other day when our Green Line train just cruised right through the junction and across Van Aken without stopping -- weird!... and I know for a fact that a Blue Line train was the last train through the junction. The old archaic push-button switch had been around as long as I can remember. A new traffic-light type signal has also replaced the old RR-type signal at the junction... Either the drivers can now control the switches from inside the train, or the switch is now controlled by the RTA tower, which more likely the case; I can't see RTA spending the big bucks for such in-train control ... Whichever the case, this is a welcome upgrade indeed ... Now if RTA could work with Cleveland, SHAD to upgrade/speed up those horrible Shaker Square traffic signals that really slow down trains...

UPDATE (sorry no photos): I drove to, around the construction site, and the track-level portion of the headhouse is now glass enclosed. Electrical lighting has been partially installed, inside the headhouse and beneath the 2 Rapid bridges (looks pretty funky -- it'd be nice if this kind of bright lighting were installed under the much wider NS bridges so that the tunnel along Mayfield Ave. would be much less intimidating for Uptown visitors/commuters -- I'm sure something is planned). The structure for the short platform canopy is in place as are light stanchions along the uncovered portion of the platform -- but only wires for eventual lighting are protrude from the poles. There didn't appear to be any station finishing yet ... in short, there's a long way to go. It amazes me that the developers of The 9 project completed their gigantic development (rehab of the Breuer tower and connected properties) in just over a year, yet this much smaller project is taking so long...

^perhaps the most important paragraphs in the article... I wish Cleveland officials would think this way. No cost estimates were provided in the initial report, but Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission, said the Strip light-rail project alone would cost billions of dollars. But committee members noted that in cities with new transportation systems, there would be a significant return on investment in economic development as a result of the system. For example, a light-rail system in metropolitan Phoenix that was built for about $1 billion was expected to generate $3 billion in economic development measured in construction, new jobs, retail sales and tax revenue. Instead, over five years Phoenix had seen an economic development return on investment of $7 billion.

NOTE: More on Vegas' LRT subway proposal, plus map, photo Posted May 27, 2015 - 11:00amUpdated May 27, 2015 - 3:25pm Will a subway eventually run beneath the Las Vegas Strip? By RICHARD N. VELOTTA LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A light-rail subway system beneath Las Vegas Boulevard is among the ambitious recommendations that have emerged from a transportation plan that has taken more than two years to complete. Another big-ticket project is a double-deck tunnel under McCarran International Airport to connect Russell Road east and west of the airport and possibly provide a light-rail link to the Strip line. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada unveiled a draft of its 15-point Transportation Investment Business Plan on Wednesday, opening the door to debate about how Southern Nevada can best prepare to address gridlock in the resort corridor. “Without new investments, the roadways, pedestrian facilities and transit system will be overwhelmed, the quality of the visitor experience degraded and the core area’s economic growth impeded,” the draft plan states in its introduction. The Transportation Commission funded consultants who were guided by a committee of stakeholders representing government entities and private businesses that depend on the tourism economy and moving visitors through the valley. The recommendations emerged after nearly 2½ years of meetings by the committee appointed by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter that included representatives of virtually every entity that has anything to do with transportation. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/will-subway-eventually-run-beneath-the-las-vegas-strip

It's amazing that in a little over a year, the 9 has become THE place to see and be seen -- to me, it's Vegas, mixed with LA and South Beach-- people and celeb watching is a pastime there. Kinda nice to have such a place in Cleveland. We saw, and talked to Pop, who did seem like a nice guy who probably is relaxed to be off the hardwood as an observer, although I'm sure he wishes the Spurs were still playing --- I frankly and glad they are not... The rooftop bar, lounge and dance area was very impressive. Views of downtown, as your pics display, are fantastic. From the speed of the construction to the quality and scope of the restaurants, lounges, apts, Heinens and hotel rooms, this is one of the most amazing projects I've ever seen.

Seems everybody wants to be nicey-nicey. No one wants to be too political and state the obvious ... so I will... It's Republicans who are causing this mess and Republicans need to pay a price at the polls... This refusal to call them out on the carpet allows them to maintain a stranglehold on our politics, and as they do we're simply going to get more of this... :whip: :whip:

This was shocking tonight. As Kenny Smith quipped: LeBron James is taking the New York Knicks to the Finals. Yep, JR, Shump and Moz... Cavs have totally stomped the life out of this 60-win team... on their own floor, where they haven't lost back-to-back all season; without Love or Kyrie. Amazing. Time to rest up Kyrie and get ready for Steph ... or, perhaps, Dwight and the Beard. Who knows, but we do know the Cavs will be playing on June 4th!!

Wow, the Lee-Van Aken station seems to be moving a lot faster than UC-Little Italy while the former faces more difficult logistics and traffic conditions. The new Lee Rd looks to be a serious upgrade over the rundown station that is being replaced. Let's hope that the public, and more importantly RTA, takes care of it better once it opens. RTA's station maintenance record is not good at all.

NOTE: MissinOhio already picked up this article a few days ago. I just wanted to reemphasize and make it more visible, because it's pretty well written ... and important. Features RTA facing challenges as it grows ridership alongside communities douglas j. guth | Thursday, May 14, 2015 Cathy Poilpré may be the quintessential transit rider. She lives in Lakewood near the recently upgraded 55 bus route that whisks her to her job as director of marketing and communications at Cleveland Public Library. Poilpré also rides the rapid and uses the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (GCRTA) free trolleys to attend lunchtime concerts at Trinity Cathedral or meetings at Cleveland State or Playhouse Square. Having a dedicated bus line available during rush hour is a convenient alternative to dealing with morning gridlock or mushing through snow and ice supplied by a typical Cleveland winter, Poilpré declares. "I get dropped off right in front of my job," she says. "I actually get to work faster since we glide past all of the cars sitting in traffic." Though Poilpré is mostly satisfied with her riding experience, Cleveland's public transportation system, and its rapid service in particular, suffers in comparison to the other cities she's called home. The CPL director, a veteran of the Washington D.C. metro during her four years in the nation's capital, calls out RTA's limited destinations and small parking lots as factors that could curtail those interested in giving public transit chance. "If the system was easy and practical, tourists and residents alike would use it instead of driving," says Poilpré. "With downtown Cleveland developing, more young people would be prone to do without a car if they could get anywhere, anytime." Although there's been a steady uptick in ridership over the last several years, RTA is facing financial and public policy obstacles that are slowing the growth process, officials note. As part of its effort to draw in commuters, RTA is seeking to foster connections between new or existing transportation infrastructure and mixed-use neighborhood growth, an approach area transit watchers believe would help the authority build off its successes and become more competitive. This summer, RTA will open its $17.5 million Little Italy-University Circle station, a venture that planners say will spur the $200 million Uptown and Intesa developments while boosting the overall vibrancy of the surrounding neighborhoods. http://freshwatercleveland.com/features/RTA051315.aspx

Yep, the PD is historically conservative while Cuyahoga County is probably the bluest county in the State. The PD has almost never represented the political leanings of the vast majority of its readers; certainly not in modern times.

I notice the article is silent about Hogan's plans for Baltimore's crosstown Red Line, an LRT that, unlike Baltimore's existing slow-moving (streetcar-based) North-South LRT, subway-tunnels through downtown. I know Hogan has recently stated he's waiting for his Transportation Secretary's recommendations before making any decision about the Red Line. However, most MD political observers say that rejecting or substantially reducing the Red Line could be political suicide for Republican Hogan in Blue State Maryland where metro Baltimore is the biggest game in town, ... er, the state. Not to say suburban D.C. isn't important as well, but given the massiveness of the existing D.C. Metro rail system and its extension well into the D.C. burbs, the proposed Purple Line LRT, though important, is far more expendable than the Red Line in Baltimore's more underdeveloped transit network.

There has already been a thread on "potential" issues, which was locked down. I'm sure RTA has a contingency plan in place, but I don't think this is the right time to put out anything. It just adds to the "hype" and "hysteria" for no reason. Once something happens, then hopefully we will hear from one regional voice. I agree, but I'm not trying to add to the "hype" and I hope all this news and announcements isn't encouraging the activity. I still think my question is valid on will there be a way to get home "IF" things happen or do people think its best to be proactive and not risk getting stuck downtown. There has been other situations where Tower City had to be closed due to security concerns and was hoping someone could give some information on how RTA assisted with those that could not get to the Train Station. I don't think that you are adding to the hype, but local media is. As one person on a talk show noted yesterday, people are much more on edge about the Tamir Rice decision than they are about Brelo, even though imho, Brelo & Co. were outrageous in their own right. I understand the Cleveland School District entertained closing school today which is a gross overreaction.

RTA's website is now stating "Fall 2015" for UC-Little Italy station completion.

I totally disagree that this makes Cleveland look lame and pathetic as you state: how? Because he references Cleveland skeletons that that we're not supposed to utter, like Cleveland's "butt of jokes" status (sadly, we still are at least in some misguided quarters) and the Kucinich recall (he was, but he grew as a politician and as a man to become an internationally admired peace activist and humanitarian not afraid to criticize those in his own Democratic party, including the President). A sign of growth and maturity is the ability to sometimes laugh at oneself. Cleveland has many problems but is improving by the day and is being nationally recognized as such. I'd like to think we're past the days where, collectively as a city, we would freak out at the least little negative comment or put-down by a non-Clevelander. I actually thought this piece was quite witty... It's called "satire" dude. And it was more a shot at Republicans than at Cleveland ... and I'm more than cool with that.

DELLY TREY!!!! ... I apologize for all the nasty things I've ever said about this kid. To show on a stage this big, he's got a pair as big as, ... well, basketballs! Tristan Thompson has emerged as a bona fide star. JR and Shump showed up huge and, of course, LeBron was the maestro directing it all despite not shooting well tonight. This whole series pivoted on that highly improbably Game 4 win ... and THE SHOT... this time, it's OUR SHOT, and by a king no less... THE KING! We now get a welcome week off to heal and get ready for the next challenge... Truly this year, the championship is there for us; it really is..

Unless the female is Joakim Noah Pow! ooooouch!!! Good one!! :clap:

^Good thing, too, because you don't want Perk hitting anyone, much less a female.

^I know this area well. It, and the neighborhood around it, are called "Frankford Junction" because 2 tracks split off the electrified NEC and head over a 100+ year-old bridge into South Jersey -- New Jersey Transit's diesel Atlantic City commuter line switches off there. As you know, there's a sharp curve to the NE just after the switches; and the curve is not banked IIRC.. It would be highly foolhardy for any engineer to travel 100 mph through this area. We'll have to wait form more hard evidence to emerge.