According to Governor Rendell, the North Shore Connector is a "tragic mistake." (Thanks to Bram at The Pittsburgh Comet for bringing this gem to my attention.)
To that I say, "shut up." You may believe that this T extension is the biggest boondoggle this side of the Big Dig, but to go on record and say it as governor of this state? To lambast this project that will employ 4,000 of your voters for the next few years? That's just irresponsible and disrespectful. Governor Rendell, you need to support your troops. And your troops are the citizens of Pennsylvania. You may not agree with this "war" but do not shit on them.
Also, Governor Rendell, you may want to look up the definition of tragic. War is tragic. The Titanic went on a tragic journey. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic story. The North Shore Connector was probably not the best use of money, but this construction project is NOT tragic. Let's stop the gratuitous hyperbole and keep Pennsylvanians working. Or perhaps you'd like to fund some more amphitheatres?
This is Good-Bye - For Now
2 weeks ago
5 comments:
If there is one person who needs a filter at the end of his mouth it is Ed Rendell. Countless times throughout last year's primary and general election he said things to the local and national media that he had to retract. Not too long ago he made a comment about Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that was just ridiculous.
I agree with him. It is a tragic mistake. The thing is, until someone (him, Dan, someone) does something more than hand-wringing, it will remain that way. With planning it could be salvaged.
We paid more per mile for the West Busway (not the Airport Busway it was supposed to be) than places like Denver and Phoenix did for light rail systems built at the same time. Why? We enlarged a tunnel wide enough for 2 trains to pass, for buses. Not learning, the North Shore extension didn't use the lower deck Fort Wayne Bridge right of way PennDOT has owned for my entire life; it drilled a new tunnel, worse, orphaning the drill somewhere it can't be used to push on to Oakland.
And, the North Shore extension will end in a 2 track station, with no holding tracks. Steelers game over? You can load as fast as cars can come in from downtown, because there's nowhere closer to keep them.
How do we salvage it? I'm not sure. With some quality time with older transit studies and lessons learned elsewhere I'll bet we could. Tragic mistake, yes, offensive, yes, but I'd rather he not filter if it means a fix, or a salvaging of the situation, will come from it.
Monty Python had comedy albums in the seventies (including "Matching tie and Hankerchif" which had three sides). One bit they had was about a land called Happy Valley. Everyone there was happy, as decreed by law. One person was seen moping (after his wife had died), and sentenced by a judge to be hanged by the neck until he cheered up.
I can certainly belive the beatings will continue until morale improves. My theory is that Rendell is angling for Arlen's seat. Which is Arlen's reward for doing the right ... er, correct thing.
Have you read this article? Found it over on the skyscraper forum:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A29152
Hmm... I can't find any supporting evidence for this but according to this article, Onorato requested 2.5 Billion for a rail line between Oakland and Downtown in the stimulus wishlist. Says it could start in 6-12 months.
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