Minneapolis spokesman., 1962-07-13
Freeways And Mass
Transit Again

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We return to the subject of the freeways and
mass transportation, a subject that has dominated
these columns in recent weeks We make no apologies
for the attention and space we have given the SUBJ
ject The rational solution of the problem means
dollars and cents, time possibly employment to the
average user of mass transit facilities 1t 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
on the one hand, and on the other a process Of
choking cities to death.
Last week we presented the statement Of the
Minnesota Highway Department defending its posi-
ton against integrating the needs of mass transit
into highway design, and we presented detailed
to this position. Since decisions being taken
now will have far-reaching effects upon cities.
feel that it is important to explore the entire
problem in great detail.
The problem is not peculiar to Minneapolis
and st. Paul 1t is being experienced by all metro
potan centers. In some centers it is much farther
advanced than here, and this circumstance gives
unusual opportunity to look into future.
Zone of complaints against the Highway De-
parment that it does not appear have consulted
the experience of other cities)
Here are some of the questions that we feel
need to be answered:
VI
auto traffic choke the centers of cities to DEATH
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 integrating 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 for mass transit
impose heavy costs upon in the future?
The San Francisco is today facing the necessity
of a $79O 900 900 bond issue to finance rapid
transit system.
3. Can the cities continue to perform their
metropolitan function without 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
perimeter than is now the case
There has been tendency the part of high
way designers to argue that people are giving up
mass transit in favor of and therefore all fac
ilities should be designed for the But it is
fairly obvious that to considerable degree people
have been forced to use cars because of the lack
of mass transit. The trains that used to bring
people into the city from Northfield, Wayzata,
Dresser Saltwater Hudson, etc, no longer
ming or on the way out. The fast trolley service
from Lake Minnetonka and White Bear more
and people fighting to keep their bus
service
But there many experts who argue that
sound, healthy metropolis needs commuter service
to a 40 or so mile periphery. The question of sub
sidy in providing such service may be serious
problem. but it becomes academic alongside of the
costs of congestion traffic breakdowns preemption
of valuable loop land for parking, and the many
other tremendous problems that follow in the wake
of the prolferating private automobile. Moreover
expert points out, the automobile itself ex-
acts a subsidy from the congested city: the cost
per in rlsh-hour traffic in Washington has been
estimated at 81 per round trip on the basis Of
highway expansion adequate to accommodate the
heavy traffic.
AS we pointed out last week, decisions the
metropolitan freeways have been taken and are
being taken which affect these fundamental and
far-reaching problems. And they have been taken
with little or no consultation even communication
with the officials who going to have to face
these problems They are 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 to begin making
of this experience, and this expert opinion.