Agenda - 02-05-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12' i - I I The People's Forum • Rail system better idea .. It was gratifying to read about the Triangle rail system proposed by a Durham environmental group. Using tracks and rights of way already in place instead of building the Northern Wake" Expressway and Durham Outer Loop is- - truly innovative planning. North Carolinians expect the agency. responsible for our future roadway sys-. tems,the Department of Transportation,_ to exercise prudent and responsible planning. Now that someone else, has proposed a plan that makes sense, the. • DOT should at least look at this proposal=. However, James T. Sughrue of tE.e Rail has many benefits DOT said."We'll be happy to look at this We consider the Triangle Express light plan as we do with thousands of sugges- Lions from other citizens." This conde- rail system a farsighted and responsible scending remark does not convey a alternative to the Northern Wake Ex- commitment with a sense of urgency. pressway. It is about time someone came forward and grabbed the reins on DOT's proposed Northern Wake Ex- the runaway "transportation•by-triage" pressway will cost approximately 5450 plans of the city and county. What million in today's dollars, while the disturbs us is that The News and proposed Durham Outer Loop would cost Observer, following an increasingly an- another 5350 million. Since both are' noying trend in media, chose to title the planned to be built in or near the Raleigh Sept.:9 article"Environmentalists pro- and Durham watersheds, this suggests pose Triangle rail system." that approximately 3300 million is being. This system would provide numerous spent very unwisely. benefits in addition to the environmental Mayor Avery Upchurch and his supr ones. Ultimately it would curb health . porters contend that the Outer Loop will care costs by reducing atmospheric ease traffic woes in Raleigh, a fact that pollutants and decreasing the stress of a • is not upheld by the DOT's own study. . morning commute, provide additional The proposed loop will do little to' jobs, attract business by showing the improve traffic conditions in North Ra-- nation that the Triangle can plan ahead leigh; in fact, many of the main roads of municipal needs, and reduce the will be more congested if it is built. It assault on our environmental quality. will increase the number of critical Why cheapen the proposal and polarize -- traffic points in North Raleigh rather'' the issue by attributing its origin to than alleviating any of them. ... "environmentalists." a label that has • come to represent extremist, left-wing The legislature has already approved views? Wouldn't a far larger number of a highway plan totaling approximately'. readers have become familiar with the 59 billion. The taxpayers deserve better plan had you titled the article."Citizens' for our money than what the DOT has.' group proposes Triangle rail system"or been planning to date. "Railway alternative to Durham and BRUCE L. ERICKSON•• Raleigh Outer Loops proposed"? President,Shannon Woods. BILL AND MELISSA ZIELINSKI Homeowners Association. Raleigh Raleigh - • '1