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on April 22, 2018
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Minneapolis Kicks Out Disabled Parking for Bike Lanes

Written by Tom Steward
in Transportation, Liberalism

If you harbor any doubts about how far urban elites will go to force their environmental agenda on everyone else, check out the latest from Minneapolis. Bike obsessed city planners are kicking citizens with disabilities out of their designated parking spots on the street in order to create more bike lanes in North Minneapolis, the Star Tribune reports. Since 2015, Patricia Fox has had a reserved parking space in front of her home in Minneapolis because of her multiple sclerosis. But this year, her parking space will be moved to make way for a bike lane. “[This] is the ultimate insult of someone who...

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on April 14, 2018
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Amendment Stops Pols From Diverting Road and Bridge Funding

Written by Tom Steward
in Transportation

There may be an amendment to the state constitution coming down the road on the ballot this November aimed at improving the state's highway infrastructure. If passed by the legislature, the ballot question would let voters decide whether the $250 million a year Minnesotans pay in taxes on oil changes, auto parts and other vehicle services should be spent on road and bridge construction only. Nothing else. A coalition of business and labor organizations called "Vote Yes 4 Roads" supports the passage of the constitutional amendment, along with a hefty majority of Minnesotans polled by the advocacy group. While those taxes...

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on April 03, 2018
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I Challenge Anyone at the Met Council to Watch this Video on the Coming Future of Energy and Transportation and Then Explain Why It’s Smart to ‘Invest’ $2 Billion in SW Light Rail

Written by Peter Zeller
in Minnesota Economy, Transportation, Metropolitan Council

I would also like those at the Met Council involved with committing taxpayers to spend $2 billion on SWLRT, plus millions more annually for operations and maintenance, to read my post from last year: All the reasons the Met Council screwed up $BIG TIME by forcing light rail....

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on April 02, 2018
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Should MN amend the constitution (again) to get dedicated funds for roads?

Written by Kim Crockett
in Minnesota Economy, Transportation, Greater Minnesota, Minnesota Budget, Metropolitan Council

Lawmakers are frustrated. They cannot get enough funding for roads. Why? MnDOT has been captured by the “multi-model” approach to mobility championed by the Metropolitan Council, our mega regional planning and transit planner, owner, operator and funder (it levies taxes). They are Met Council Multi-Model Moonies at MnDOT. ...

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on March 29, 2018
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The Met Council: The least safe light rail operator of its peers. Do we really want LRT to co-locate with freight?

Written by Kevin Terrell
in Transportation, Metropolitan Council, Uncategorized

In light of the most recent developments, legislators and others are asking, is the Met Council even qualified to safely operate both freight and passenger light rail trains adjacent to each other? The data suggest the answer is no. What more evidence do we need to #StoptheRunawayTrain? ...

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on March 21, 2018
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Dayton’s MnDOT testifies that it cannot prioritize mobility or reduce congestion in Metro area

Written by Kim Crockett
in Transportation, Minnesota Budget, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Economy, Governance

I testified in the House Transportation Policy committee in favor of an idea that is long overdue: requiring MnDOT to revise the 20-year plan to prioritize mobility and relieve congestion. After my testimony on our growing congestion, a representative from MnDOT testified that the agency could not do that. Time for a change in leadership? ...

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on March 12, 2018
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BNSF Steps Up Investment: $810 Million To Get Minnesota’s Products to World Markets

Written by Kim Crockett
in Transportation, Economics, Minnesota Economy, Metropolitan Council

Minnesota serves as a crucial link between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago; BNSF moves more than 140,000 carloads of Minnesota corn, wheat, soybeans and other agricultural products, as well as large quantities of timber and paper products to both global and domestic markets. BNSF says it has invested about $810 million over the past five years to expand and maintain its network in Minnesota. The Met Council wants to co-locate passenger rail next to freights lines. Is that safe or good for freight? ...

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on February 20, 2018
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Soucheray’s Close Call a Reminder of Light Rail Danger on Days Like This

Written by Tom Steward
in Transportation

Columnist and radio host Joe Soucheray has more than earned his stripes over the years as the staunchest opponent of the Twin Cities billion dollar light rail boondoggle. But now the Mayor of Garage Logic has issued a reminder that on slippery, snowy days like this, light rail can be perilous to more than your pocketbook. He ought to know, having recently come close to becoming a statistic himself, according to a recent Pioneer Press column. Remember the big snowfall a couple of Mondays back? I was trying to cross University Avenue at the light on Berry Street. Two drivers in front of me had gotten...

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on February 16, 2018
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Can Congress Over-Ride FTA Recommendation Against Funding Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit? Maybe.

Written by Kim Crockett
in Transportation, Metropolitan Council, Governance

It is possible that our two U.S. Senators and perhaps other members of the delegation, will prevail on the president and the FTA to make these transit projects happen. But Congress must first pass appropriations bills to get the money flowing and spent. If the FTA does not want to approve a project, it has the power to ignore Congress. Got it? ...

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