KJP

It is. That's Taft's Jobs & Progress program, which ODOT had called its "Major/New Capacity" program.

Not a very-well informed writer, but it's important to be able to see the drivel conjured by allegedly respectable people.... ______________ L.A.TIMES -- Print Edition: Opinion Bullet trains won't get us anywhere California should abandon its expensive pipe dream of high-speed rail transport. By James E. Moore, JAMES E. MOORE is chairman of the department of industrial and systems engineering at USC, director of the transportation engineering program and a researcher with the USC Center for Risk and Economic Development. February 11, 2007 THE MAIN problem with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2007-08 budget proposal to cut funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority is that it does not go far enough. Instead of eliminating 90% of the agency's funding, he should shut the thing down permanently. The bond measure to pay for the first leg of the rail system, first set for the 2004 ballot but delayed twice by the Legislature, should be removed from the 2008 ballot and canceled. Public resources would be better spent on just about anything else, including delta levies, roads, prisons and schools. The rail authority wants to link Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles and San Diego by building a rail system for trains traveling at more than 200 mph. Established in 1996 and made a permanent agency in 2002, it has worked to convince politicians and voters that a bullet train is a viable alternative to building more roads and airports. Unfortunately, the system's financial plan is weak. A Federal Transit Administration review of urban rail projects in such cities as Miami, Baltimore, Atlanta and Washington, released in the early 1990s, shows that cost and ridership estimates issued by public agencies are invariably too optimistic. Given the exceptional scope of its plan, the high-speed rail authority's figures appear to be no exception. Even if the cost of precision, high-technology railways running hundreds of miles — routed through tunnels under mountain ranges and grade separated at more than 1,000 intersections — did not exceed the $40 billion the authority projects, the system would never recoup its capital costs through fares and fees. To do that, the fare for a ride on the mythical bullet train would have to be about twice as high as that for an average-priced ticket on a commercial aircraft. Transportation that is slower — and more expensive — than aircraft cannot compete with aircraft. Europe has a high-speed rail system that out-competes cars and planes for trips ranging from 120 miles to 230 miles, but there are good reasons for that. Gasoline prices in Europe are, at a minimum, twice those in California. Airline deregulation came late to Europe, making it more expensive to fly in those countries. More Americans than Europeans use their cars to make trips longer than 300 miles, and more Americans than Europeans board low-cost jets to travel to destinations less than 500 miles away. Even with environments better suited to high-speed rail service, the Japanese and Europeans still have to subsidize their systems. The 2004 train bombings in Madrid demonstrate a lethal point: Trains are a security nightmare. The safe operation of a high-speed train system requires securing the entire right of way. The 2005 Metrolink crash near Glendale was caused by a Jeep Cherokee deliberately parked on the tracks at an intersection. We do not have the means to secure rail rights of way adequately in the Los Angeles area, much less for a new statewide network. Airplanes are secured at airports. Once they are in the air, security problems are virtually eliminated. California's population growth and strong economy may eventually overtax the capacity of its airports, but airports are much cheaper to build or expand than a high-speed rail network. A new, top-of-the-line airport might run about $10 billion. A substantial increase in capacity at LAX would cost about the same, but $5 billion would buy a lot of airport in Palmdale because land there is cheaper. If airport congestion became acute, airfares would rise, which would effectively curb air-travel demand in the short term. Eventually, though, the day will come when regional and national interests will require greater airport capacity, and cities and counties may have to use eminent domain to expand their metropolitan airports. If we feel civic guilt about this, displaced residents should receive a premium above market value for their property. Such generosity would still cost only a small fraction of a statewide high-speed rail system. Letters To The Times Letters should be brief (250 words or less) and are subject to condensation. They must include a full name (initials and pseudonyms will not be used) and a valid mailing address and telephone number. Unpublished letters cannot be acknowledged. Call: (213) 237-4511. Fax: (213) 237-7679. E-mail:[email protected]

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/pdf/press/20070215137.pdf For Immediate Release February 12, 2007 Homeless Stand Down 2007 Offers Free Health Screenings Hundreds Anticipated at Cleveland Convention Center for Screenings and More CLEVELAND – On Friday, February 16th, hundreds of Cleveland’s homeless will access resources and health screenings as part of the sixteenth annual Homeless Stand Down from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Cleveland Convention Center. Homeless Stand Down 2007 connects homeless people with volunteers who offer food, clothing, medical consultations, services, and shelter. The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) will join the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, InterAct Cleveland, the Bishop Cosgrove Center, and numerous other partners to support this cause. On Friday, February 16th, over fifty Cleveland health and human service agencies will gather to provide resources for the homeless. Services will include but are not limited to: • Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings • Dental checks (including oral cancer screening) • Mental health screenings • HIV/AIDS tests • Vision and glaucoma screenings • Audiology tests • Lung (Breathing) tests • Bone density tests • Haircuts • Massages In addition, resource tables will hold a variety of information including: transitional housing, accessing community services, mobile clinics, nutrition, emergency preparedness, smoking cessation, job training and placement, veterans services, senior services, legal assistance, and flu shot programs. “We are delighted to once again partner with so many local organizations to provide one-stop health and social services to the Cleveland homeless population. Individuals who are deemed to need immediate care will be immediately transported to Care Alliance or MetroHealth for follow-up care,” said Cleveland Department of Public Health Director Matt Carroll. “It is our goal to work with local health care providers to make this type of service a reality all year round for our uninsured and underinsured population in order to improve the health of Clevelanders,” he added. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will also be served. For further information on how people can become involved, please contact Sarah at 216.271.0230 ext. 17 or [email protected].

Hadn't heard a peep about the zoo etching. The smaller poles are decorative lighting, but I'm not sure if those are part of the final design. They are keeping the demolition/implosion date a secret (see my article in the Brooklyn Sun Journal why). And we were joking in the office about the computer-generated guy and what he might be doing. I suggested he was looking for the best spot to spray-paint graffiti on the bridge abutment.

This sounds like a job for All Aboard Ohio!

Federal gas taxes have stayed the same since 1993, but risen six cents per gallon in Ohio. The overall rate has actually fallen in constant dollars since 1993. As you know, demand for oil has proven to be quite price inelastic, but to say it's totally inelastic is giving oil way too much credit. There is a point where demand stops growing. We saw it last year when oil neared $80 per barrel. But we don't know the price point when demand starts to fall. I do agree that the higher price, whether caused by a rebalancing of supply/demand, the elimination of federal subsidies for oil production, or an increase in gasoline taxes will cause money to be redistributed. The question is, what activities, capital improvements or programs does society want it distributed to?

He said "absurd"? That's inexcusable!

What do I do? I write about all the great things other people have the balls to do. That makes me something of a parasite. So I do what I can to take a bit of an advocacy approach to journalism. I was inspired by the Cleveland Press' campaign in the 1950s to see the East 9th corridor turned from skid row into a major business district. The PD could do the same thing if it focused on a catalytic piece of the puzzle. But I digress. Back to the Battery....

You couldn't keep up with all the stories we crank out anymore than we can! Imagine trying to do cosmetic surgery in a MASH unit.

Yep, I informed David about it. I wanted to cover it for myself while David was on vacation a month ago, but then the Stonewater condos application appeared. Hard to keep up with all the developments happening...

Dammit! I checked again and you're right. Time for a correction. I'm giving back your compliment, FrqntFlyr.

Here's some images and renderings of the bridge and the trail that will be built under it...

Thanks. Here's a rendering of the Powerhouse, courtesy of Vintage, that went with the article.....

I know things can get frustrating at times. I'm not immune either. But let's take a deep breath here. OK?

Glad you posted that pic from Royal Oak, pope. Good comparison that more core-city developers, and wanna-be developers should see!

Awesome ice shots. And, Rob, cool photos and fun-to-read descriptions.

Probably just about everyone who doesn't live in Cincinnati, who recently moved to Cincinnati, or who live in the suburbs and couldn't find downtown Cincinnati with the aid of a map. Never assume your audience knows what you know.

Cool.

Yes, but a paid nerd.

http://www.nmrailrunner.com/news_Santa_Fe_Alignment.asp Transportation Secretary Faught Selects Rail Runner Route to Santa Fe (2-14-07) SANTA FE – State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught announced today that Interstate 25 median will be used to bring Rail Runner Express Commuter Train from Bernalillo to Santa Fe, concurring with the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization recommendation. "This route was selected after extensive public comment and community input,” Faught said. “This route will have the least impact on communities while serving a majority of residents in and around Santa Fe area.” More at above link:

Not too crazy. It's been in a couple of city/RTA plans.

With more than 5,000 posts, what does that make me? An "Internet Superslut?"

Check out this subway thread that I put together a while ago. I see that I deleted one of the images from my Web host, so I'll see about restoring it... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2726.0

Now all you need is some peds to show the street life it would create. But do you really want the UrbanOhio store adjacent to the Great Lakes beer cafe? That might be a dangerous temptation....

Nice job. I'd like to send that to Bob Corna (unless Peabody beats me to it!).