It is simply amazing how many cities are making commuter rail a part of their infrastructure, and for less than it costs to build a road; not to mention the time frame between the two. Just look at the new Rail Runner in New Mexico, the almost completed Music City Star in Tennesssee, and now the Central Florida line. Out of the two proposals the rail line will be open (albeit a shorter line than when completed) in 2009 while CONSTRUCTION will not have even started on our new road until 2010 from what I have heard/read. That should say something right there. We all know how much longer it will take to build the blasted road even after construction starts....plan on it being open in 2015 at the earliest.

Tampa needs a rail solution if only because of our growth as compared to the time it takes to build these roads.

Steve

I even see rail being discussed in Iowa and Montana.
I could've given you a rail-link from Brandon to Tampa at the exact same spots that new expressway does it, with no overruns, and half the cost at the most. But then people will say how will I get to westshore? The bus? No light rail. chicken and egg arguement we get into.

But driving down the streets east of Ybor where there's 7 sets of tracks, it's a no brainer.

I don't see much about the proposed system that makes people want to get out of their cars. I think the light rail system should be monorail. I have many routes and stations that would be useful to commuters (the main target) PROS: 1.less cost to build per mile @1/10 the cost of land based rail=larger network for same money spent. 2.Larger network=more people using it= less traffic on roads 3.In cities it does not take up traffic lanes 4. Safer: NO Train vs vehicle OR pedestrian accidents. 5. Tourist attraction brings more visitors and their money to the area. 6. solves other problems ie St Pete Pier, run a line out to pier (gets more visitors AND reduces parking/walking problems) 7. Vehicle traffic does not have to stop when train goes by. 8. Not as easy for graffity 'artists' to make it look like the NYC. 9. Quiet 10. easy to change routes as growth/use dictates. 11. Faster build time 12. Less disruption during build 13. Less environmental impact. CONS ????

During a phone town hall last night about the rail, I heard a lot of talk about how many jobs this will create. I asked them what mandates the federal government is attaching to their money. They never directly answered but did say minority bidding would be favored.
I wonder if they know about
E.O. ( Executive Order) 13502, a union-friendly executive order signed by Obama in his first weeks in office, which essentially forces contractors who bid on large-scale public construction projects worth $25 million or more to submit to union representation for its employees?

Union extortion at it's finest.

I'm on the fence on the project - but I think it's important for those who are 'for it' and trying to make good decisions for our community - be extremely and sometimes painfully honest with themselves. I wish they'd ask 'what can go wrong' and then set about solving those issues, as opposed to seeing everything through rose colored glasses to 'win the issue'.