WHY IS LIGHT RAIL NEEDED?
Well it is more than just Light Rail, a well balanced transportation system IS needed. And Light Rail is part of that.
INTERSTATE 4 ( INSANE 4)
This says it all. I-4 will undergo a MAJOR construction project in the next 8-20 years. And even then when it is completed it will not be enough. Even with HOV lanes, and extra lanes it will not be enough. Alternative transportation is NEEDED NOW!! Every day there are wrecks, road rage, traffic jams, fustrated drivers, broken down vehicles, and even fatal accidents. I-4 is gone too far for help. It might get rebuilt but the traffic is here to stay.
GROWTH!
It has been said we need to try to slow down our growth. Well guess what? It ain't gonna happen!. No way. A mass transit system will help focus growth along it's routes. This will help contain some of the sprawl that is happening now.
WE CAN'T PAVE OUR WAY OUT!
There is no way we can pave our way out of this. It is too late. Alternative transportation is needed now.
BUSSES ALONE WON'T HELP!
The busses run on the same roads as the cars and get stuck in the same traffic. Point made.
COSTS!
The price tag on the current proposal is near 750 Million. And if we wait it will even get more expensive. It needs to get started now. On top of that it cost more to build new roads. It is cheaper and more effective to build and operate a transit system. Many critics claim that light rail will cost all of us millions. However gow much money are you saving now by filling your tank with 2 dollar a gallon gas?
TRAFFIC MELTDOWN!
It is happening now. Last year over 72 BILLION was lost due to people stuck in traffic jams across the U.S. That is a lot of money. Every day more people are moving here, and or getting their drivers license. It is not going to stop. A Light Rail System won't help everyone but it will help those along the busier corridors if it is built right.
DOWNTOWN PARKING!
Eventually we will run out of parking in downtown. And what is left will be at a premium price. Portland's Light Rail keeps thousands of cars out of downtown every day.
AIR QUALITY AND EVIRORMENT!
As more cars are coming into Orlando the air quaility is going down. If this continues Orlando could loose highway funds from the Feds. Light Rail is clean and does not polute. Light Rail systems are enviromentally friendly as they save other areas form getting paved over. Light rail also helps focus development along their routes.
BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
Every city that has a light rail system has a higher quaility of life according to survey after survey. People board light rail trains and have a relaxing stress free ride to work with out the hassels of parking and traffic.
IN CLOSING
There are many many people who HATE driving on I-4 and in Orlando! Light Rail is an alternative for those of us that do not want to deal with I-4 or the Orlando traffic. It is way overdue and is needed now.
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