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M.-. <br /> . . oru . .. • PAGE 4 <br /> THE CHAPEL HILL HERALD . WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1989 <br /> • Editorial - .. <br /> ' ' a • <br /> le� Express' .deserves study . <br /> The question of Triangle-wide mass transit is a Durham.. • . <br /> matter of when, not if. There is no question that a rail system would <br /> And we're inclined to join those who say the do less environmental damage than the huge loop <br /> sooner the better. - roads the N.C.Department of Transportation is <br /> Durham's Jim Clark,with the environmental now planning for the Triangle. Interstates <br /> group Save the Water,has suggested the state consume land like locusts consume wheat The <br /> construct a light rail passenger train system paved surfaces would introduce stormwater <br /> connecting Raleigh,Durham and Chapel Hill He runoff in drinking supply watersheds north of <br /> proposes that the rail system could replace.the Durham and Raleigh.The interstates could lead to <br /> massive loop roads now slated for Raleigh and sprawling development that promotes heavy <br /> Durham. <br /> While Clark maybe optimistic in saying that automobile commuting and eventually makes even <br /> loop roads won't be needed if the rail system were more roads.necessary. . <br /> built,the so-called"Triangle Express" is an idea Orange County also has a.big stake in the loop <br /> well worth examining.And we join the Triangle J roads plan because Durham's bypass would cut a <br /> Council of Governments in urging the state to swath right into the relatively green area between <br /> consider it carefully as part of evaluating the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. . <br /> damage that the proposed loop roads will cause to Whether Clark's plan is a viable alternative to . <br /> the environment the loop roads remains in question. But an area <br /> Clark has suggested that the state could put with the resources and vision of the Triangle <br /> together a passenger rail system for$300 million, • ought to pay more than lip service to the truth <br /> far less than the$750 million that would go into that mass transit, in the long run, is the best <br /> the loop roads.The proposed system would use 50 answer. <br /> miles of existing railway roadbed,some of which <br /> is abondoned.The system would have 3.6 stations, We urge the state to take a long,hard look at <br /> including one each in Chapel Hill and southern the"Triangle Express." <br /> • <br />