St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1962-07-13
Freeways And Mass
Transit Again

We return to the subject of the freeways and
transportation, a subject that has dominated
these columns in recent weeks We make apologies
for the attention and space have given the SUBJ
ject. The rational solution of the problem means
dollars and cents, time possibly employment to the
average of transit facilities. It means
the thing to the average user of personal
auto transportation. 1t could mean the difference
between life and growth for the centers of cities
the one hand, and on the other a process of
choking our cities to death.
Last week we presented the statement of the
Minnesota Highway Department defending its posi-
ton against migrating the needs Of transit
into highway design, and we presented our detailed
to this position. Since decisions being taken
will have far-reaching effects upon cities.
feel that it is important to explore the entire
problem in great detail
The problem Is not one peculiar to Minneapolis
and st. Paul 1t is being experienced by all metro
poitan centers. In some centers it is much farther
advanced than here, and this circumstance gives us
unusual opportunity to look into future.
Zone of complaints against the Highway De-
partmen is that does not appear to have consulted
the experience of other cities.)
Here are some of the questions that we feel
need to be answered.
1. Will the alarmingly increasing volume of
Chicago with a unique parking advantage along the
lake front, has been worrying about this problem
for years. and has seriously considered banning all
private vehicles from the Loop. Chicago has also
faced the necessity for better public transit by
tablishing a public authority and migrating the
various forms of public transit Notably, it has
made special provision for public transit in engineer
ing of its freeways.
2. Will failure to provide now for mass transit
impose heavy costs upon in the future?
The San Francisco is today facing the necessity
of $3.50 900 900 bond issue to finance a new rapid
transit system.
8. Can the cities continue to perform their
metropolitan function without a metropolitan sys-
tenn of transit? Can they continue to rely upon the
present system with its emphasis upon reducing
service and cutting out lines? Other cities find
ing it necessary to consider drastic solutions such
as banning autos downtown fort WORTH New
York, Chicago, among others are considering this)
or extending rapid transit to much more extended
permeter than is now the case.
There has been a tendency the part of high
way designers to argue that people are giving up
mass transit in favor of and therefore all fac
ilites should be designed for the But it Is
fairly obvious that to considerable degree people
have been forced to cars because of the lack
or mass transit Inc trains that used TO Drlng
people into the city from Mortified Wayzata,
Dresser, Saltwater Hudson ETC., longer
ming or on the way out. The fast trolley service
from Lake Minnetonka and White Bear are no more
and people are now fighting to keep their bus
service.
But there many experts who argue that
sound healthy metropolis needs commuter service
to 40 or so mile periphery The question of a sub
sidy in providing such a service may be a serious
problem. but it becomes academic alongside of the
costs of congestion, traffic breakdowns preempton
of valuable loop land for parking, and the many
other tremendous problems that follow in the wake
of the proliferating private automobile. Moreover,
expert points out, the automobile itself
acts subsidy from the congested city: the cost
estimated at 81 per round trip the basis of a
highway expansion adequate to accommodate the
heavy traffic.
AS pointed out last week, decisions on the
being taken which affect these fundamental and
far-reaching problems. And they have been taken
with little consultation communication
with the officials who going to have to face
these problems They problems not peculiar to
the Twin Cities Every metropolitan center is facing
them and there Is a considerable body Of expert
ence, study, and expert opinion to guide
1t is long past time for us to begin making use
of this experience, and this expert opinion.
Welcome To Jack And Jill