Richardson says light rail could transform L.A., other cities

 

By Michael R. Blood

ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

6:49 p.m. June 11, 2007

 

WEST HOLLYWOOD – In the nation's capital of gridlock, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson promised Monday to create a partnership to build a light rail network and help untangle the Los Angeles region's notorious traffic.

 

With gas prices rising and roadways jammed, Richardson said it was time to rethink a federal transportation policy that pumps billions of dollars into new roads each year. Mass transit, he said, will be the best, cleanest way to move metropolitan residents in the future.

 

If elected, he said he would “make it a major effort to refocus transportation construction of roads into light rail and more energy efficient transportation,” the New Mexico governor told reporters at a news conference.

Find this article at:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070611-1849-ca-richardson-rail.html 

 

Bill Richardson began the Rail Runner Express because Interstate 25, which is four-lanes in the rural areas, cannot be widened due to various cultural impacts (reservations and various groups have derailed any widening project). It's good to see that he has his head in the right place.

too bad he would never get nominated

Yeah, because FNC and MSNBC would rather talk about Hillary Clinton's pearl necklace, her dropping of "Rodham" for the campaign, or the fact that shes a female. Or how about everyone's favorite drama queen, Paris Hilton? But maybe I need some more lovin' from Anna Nicole Smith, or some more on James Brown's too-long funeral prance.

Paris Hilton drives me crazy. I'm glad she's back in jail. And as for Hillary, I hope for all our sakes she doesn't become the next president

^^^ I disagree that he doesn't have a chance at getting nominated.  He is the only hispanic in the race and he will have to be taken seriously once he starts moving up in the polls.  Personally, I'm looking at sending $$ his way so he does stay in the race.

well, come next year after nominations come out... we'll see

But the most important point is that we finally have one of the candidates actually taking about the need to redevelop our rail systems.  If Richardson keeps it up, this will force the other candidates to address it as well and that makes it a campaign issue.  If a candidate doesn't respond with their own stance or position on rail and transit, in my estimation, they are not worth voting for.

I agree. Even if he isn't nominated, he can bring more exposure to the issue. I hope he continues to press the issue. ...And that others tell him he's doing the right thing.