In regard to Mr. Fischbach’s June 15 letter (“State transportation: Open HOV lanes for non-peak hours”). I have a couple responses. As I work in traffic control and spend much time on the freeways, both day and night, I can say with authority that during off-peak hours, the general-purpose lanes are not full except for blockages due to accidents. Opening the HOV lanes during these hours isn’t necessary to allow traffic to flow at posted speeds, so making this change accomplishes no realistic purpose in relieving congestion. I suppose the state could open these lanes, but that would mean spending money to change the signs for these lanes. Isn’t this kind of waste just what the author is against?
As far as Sound Transit, I agree this agency has had problems and that light rail may not be the best solution for our transportation gridlock. But complaining about the money for art is misleading. It is a small percentage of the total budget, and I believe required by state law. I suppose we should just build bare bones freeways and bus stations, not spending a little more for good looking concrete facing, attractive art, or maybe doing away with those expensive sound barriers and saying too bad for those impacted by traffic noise.
With property values so high, any addition to our road system is going to be expensive. Building the same while keeping existing roads open requires lots of planning and more expensive solutions. Building up to new standards, including salmon and other habitat protection, earthquake proofing, adds yet more to the bill.
I’m sorry the writer has a couple misplaced pet peeves and plans to vote against any funding for solutions to our gridlock problems. Hopefully other voters are more enlightened, and will get our state moving into the new millennium with traffic solutions that are both needed and will work.
Snohomish
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