Today's Stat
From NPR's Morning Edition (will probably be on 848 laster today).
The Eisenhower Expressway (I290, The Ike) carries 150,000 cars each day. In my experience this feels low. I probably would have guessed double that. I mean on the occasion I have to drive to the western suburbs during the afternoon rush hour it feels like there are 150,000 cars on the road with me at the time.
The story this stat came from involves a group in Oak Park that wants to cover 1.5 miles of The Ike and the Blue Line el running down the middle. Basically making it a tunnel. They want to link the north and south sections of the town with parks and common space, to muffle the sound, and, in theory, cut down on pollution. I question how the tunnel would help with pollution but so be it. It doesn't sound like they are too deep into this adventure but there is an estimate that this would cost ... put pinky finger to mouth, cue Dr. Evil voice ... $1 Billion Dollars!
The cost of public works construction never ceases to amaze me but WOW!! That is ridiculously expensive. I understand the people's complaints. The expressway has divided their city (but its been that way for 50+ years now) and it is loud and polluting. But, assuming there was ... put pinky finger to mouth, cue Dr. Evil voice ... $1 Billion Dollars ... laying around there are many better ways to spend it. Just a few that come to mind.
And this whole project screams of polical pork spending and a boondoggle in the making. It's a smaller project but is anyone aware of the Big Dig? The builders are currently being sued as a piece of the tunnel fell and killed a motorist.
The Eisenhower Expressway (I290, The Ike) carries 150,000 cars each day. In my experience this feels low. I probably would have guessed double that. I mean on the occasion I have to drive to the western suburbs during the afternoon rush hour it feels like there are 150,000 cars on the road with me at the time.
The story this stat came from involves a group in Oak Park that wants to cover 1.5 miles of The Ike and the Blue Line el running down the middle. Basically making it a tunnel. They want to link the north and south sections of the town with parks and common space, to muffle the sound, and, in theory, cut down on pollution. I question how the tunnel would help with pollution but so be it. It doesn't sound like they are too deep into this adventure but there is an estimate that this would cost ... put pinky finger to mouth, cue Dr. Evil voice ... $1 Billion Dollars!
The cost of public works construction never ceases to amaze me but WOW!! That is ridiculously expensive. I understand the people's complaints. The expressway has divided their city (but its been that way for 50+ years now) and it is loud and polluting. But, assuming there was ... put pinky finger to mouth, cue Dr. Evil voice ... $1 Billion Dollars ... laying around there are many better ways to spend it. Just a few that come to mind.
- Build/repair/upgrade public transit.
- Build sound barriers to dampen the noise.
- Sound proof some of the closer houses.
- Build/repair/upgrade existing park land.
And this whole project screams of polical pork spending and a boondoggle in the making. It's a smaller project but is anyone aware of the Big Dig? The builders are currently being sued as a piece of the tunnel fell and killed a motorist.
Labels: Autos, Chicago, Ill Politics
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7:52 AM
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