LETTER: Lack of planning by politicians to blame for traffic gridlock
Dear Editor: Does anybody consider a lack of planning for our traffic congestion? I do. When the Lions Gate was built in the '30s it was to encourage development. Ditto for the Ironworkers Memorial in the late '50s. The Howe Sound corridor and Squamish/Whistler area had maybe 8,000 residents in the '60s.
Me, "Even North Vancouver, Canada has traffic problems, and why? According to this writer it is because of lack of planing by politicians in charge of their road network. Traffic planning seems to be kryptonite to politicians. If it even takes a way a lane of traffic for public transit the riding public gets angry.
What is needed is a politician who is insulated from voting public's fears, has a certain budget to fund projects, has certain powers to expedite projects, and does what is right for everyone. Politicians need a person they can blame for doing something bad and commend for doing something good. A set term means that this person can't be removed until a project is completed. This is good because it gives much needed time for a new Mass transit to come on line and prove it was the right thing to do. Keeping this person on for another term as a reward.
Building more mass transit options, Subways, Rail, Bus Rapid Transits, etc. does not need to be the mess it is now.
Cities around the world need someone like NYC's Robert Moses. An installed public transportation figure by politicians to a set term of office, but controlled by set rules to operate within. (Which Robert Moses lacked.)
One rule could be not to rip up neighborhoods to put in a highway. Instead create a tunnel under it. Or, if your going to build a new bridge make sure there is a mass transit option on it. There is no need to fear a Robert Moses like figure, if he is given certain rules to work by. What we have now, in cities around the world, are too many politicians caving in to fear of the voter base and too many laws delaying projects.
The reason why mass transit project take too long and cost too much is laws that hold up projects and a group of different agencies trying to lead a project.
One rule could be not to rip up neighborhoods to put in a highway. Instead create a tunnel under it. Or, if your going to build a new bridge make sure there is a mass transit option on it. There is no need to fear a Robert Moses like figure, if he is given certain rules to work by. What we have now, in cities around the world, are too many politicians caving in to fear of the voter base and too many laws delaying projects.
The reason why mass transit project take too long and cost too much is laws that hold up projects and a group of different agencies trying to lead a project.
It should be led by one person, who is always making spot inspections, making sure a project's workers are working hard, instead of hardly working."
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