[Vision2020] traffic woes
Donovan Arnold
donovanarnold@hotmail.com
Mon, 08 Sep 2003 22:30:21 -0700
<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV>
<P>You know there is a nice paved wide highway south of Moscow that goes from 95 to Pullman. But that doesn't make sense when you can block the only major lane going East to West in Moscow.</P>
<P>Donovan J Arnold<BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: "John Danahy" <JDANAHY@TURBONET.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>To: "'Donovan Arnold'" <DONOVANARNOLD@HOTMAIL.COM>,<TED_MOFFETT@HOTMAIL.COM>,<RHAYES@TURBONET.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>CC: <VISION2020@MOSCOW.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] traffic woes
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 22:03:26 -0700
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Dont forget that Third street is now wide enough for all those big
<DIV></DIV>>tandem trucks to turn west onto Third from Washington, which is the
<DIV></DIV>>primary reason for the change.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>John
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>-----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>>From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]
<DIV></DIV>>On Behalf Of Donovan Arnold
<DIV></DIV>>Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 7:57 PM
<DIV></DIV>>To: ted_moffett@hotmail.com; rhayes@turbonet.com
<DIV></DIV>>Cc: vision2020@moscow.com
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] traffic woes
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Is there an increase in traffic?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> NO! There is instead a stupid road plan that has cut off half the
<DIV></DIV>>routes from East to West and West to East traffic in Moscow. We use to
<DIV></DIV>>have 5 lanes going in each direction. Now, we only have two lanes.
<DIV></DIV>>Before 1992 we had A Street that went all the way from Mt View Rd to
<DIV></DIV>>Tri-State. We had 8th St that went all the way from Logan to UI. We had
<DIV></DIV>>two lanes for 3rd St and 6th moved more quickly. First, they blocked off
<DIV></DIV>>A St with a slab in Highway 95. Then they built over the Hospital and
<DIV></DIV>>blocked off 8th St. Next, they cut 3rd St. from four lane to a two lane.
<DIV></DIV>>Finally, they built lots of student housing on 6th St so it doesn't
<DIV></DIV>>move. This is your problem.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I live on the eastside of Moscow and avoid, at all costs going to the
<DIV></DIV>>westside of Moscow. I love the businesses on the westside, but I stick
<DIV></DIV>>to the eastside as much as possible because it takes me 15 minutes to go
<DIV></DIV>>3 miles to the other side of town. The only route I have is 3rd street
<DIV></DIV>>and that takes forever to get through.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>If you want to solve the problem realistically you have to fix those
<DIV></DIV>>routes so people can get through rather than get bottled up on 3rd St.
<DIV></DIV>>The city has done nothing to fix this problem, they always are just
<DIV></DIV>>addressing Highway 95 which is more used by people passing through and
<DIV></DIV>>truck drivers than the residents themselves.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>First, they should install a light at the corner of A St. and Highway 95
<DIV></DIV>>and make it a through road. Second, make A St a four way with a bike
<DIV></DIV>>lane. The area has plenty of room to do this without ripping out
<DIV></DIV>>businesses and houses. Second, turn 3rd St. back into a four way lane.
<DIV></DIV>>Third, build bridges over 6th St by the University for residents to
<DIV></DIV>>cross over and replace the stop signs with lights. It is so stupid to
<DIV></DIV>>have stop signs there. Traffic is backed up from the University resident
<DIV></DIV>>halls to the SUB. The problem is that cars get to the intersection and
<DIV></DIV>>go one at a time with students jumping out in front of them. Let ten
<DIV></DIV>>cars go, than then another ten from the other way. 50 cars each stopping
<DIV></DIV>>and waiting for one to go in turn is very time consuming.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Finally, encourage people to walk and build safe bike paths and bike
<DIV></DIV>>lanes that don't run between two fast moving lanes of traffic like 6th
<DIV></DIV>>St. does. I will not ride a bike with cars, one on either side of me
<DIV></DIV>>going 25 mph or faster, n/t.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I will tell you, I think the people that design the plans for our roads
<DIV></DIV>>are on crack. Especially the ones that designed the corner of Highway 95
<DIV></DIV>>and the Troy Highway. Those crosswalks give you 15 seconds to cross 5
<DIV></DIV>>lanes of fast traffic. Just long enough to lure an old women into the
<DIV></DIV>>middle of the Highway and get mauled by a Mack truck.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>No increase in traffic, just a decrease in brain power among road
<DIV></DIV>>planners. We need more than one little lane to get across town. Most
<DIV></DIV>>people realize this, but not our city planners. Two lanes is plenty for
<DIV></DIV>>them.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>See ya on 3rd St!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Donovan J Arnold
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >From: "Ted Moffett"
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >To: rhayes@turbonet.com
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >CC: vision2020@moscow.com
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] traffic woes
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 23:31:54 +0000
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Roger et. al.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Has anyone noticed the increase in traffic? Surely you jest!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >I was driving east a few days ago on Third St. where the curve by
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >the U of I Graduate Student Housing turns four lanes into two, and
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >the traffic was bumper to bumper backed up from Main St! I gave up
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >and turned off Third Street.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Solutions? Yes, of course, able bodied people could bike or walk.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Even use of small electric vehicles for simple trips for groceries
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >or to catch a movie, etc., would be helpful.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >But who will really change their life to avoid adding to traffic?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Obviously those who rely on their car or SUV or truck to get
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >everywhere will just thumb their noses, or worse, at those who
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >complain.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >I mentioned this issue a few days ago to a local Moscow resident
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >active in promoting biking: my solution was to suggest passing a
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >city ordinance to fine able bodied Moscow city residents who drive
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >their cars when not critical. If the sight of a topless female
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >requires regulation why not regulate the abuse of polluting vehicles
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >who create hazardous traffic jams? Yes, I know, this idea has about
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >as much chance of passing into law as a law against ice cream
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >because it creates a health hazard.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Americans are in love with their cars and attempts at getting them
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >to bike or walk or use alternative transportation are flat out
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >socialist liberal big government un-American ideas! Ha!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >May I suggest a respirator and full body armor for your next foray
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >on the highways of the Palouse?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >Ted
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>From: roger hayes
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>To: vision2020@moscow.com
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Subject: [Vision2020] traffic woes
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2003 14:22:31 -0700
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Dear visionaries:
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Like so many Palouse residents, I live in Moscow but work in
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Pullman. For the past couple of years I have been riding my bike
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>to work every day, and so haven't taken much note of traffic
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>conditions. Last week, due to a (non-bicycle related) back injury,
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>I found myself driving. I couldn't believe the traffic. By bike,
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>in the mornings, I can usually make it to the west side of Pullman
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>from the east side of Moscow in just about 30 minutes, and the 5
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>o'clock return trip in about 35 minutes. Last week it took me 30
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>minutes to drive it in the morning, and 45 minutes to get home.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>It's strange to think that a bicycle is the faster way to commute
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>over 11 miles.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>In addition, on two separate days, I witnessed acts of road rage.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>One in Pullman and one in Moscow. These happened right here in our
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>peaceful communities!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Has anyone else noticed that there is an increase in traffic? Are
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>more people driving? Are vehicles so big they take up more space
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>on the roads? Or are we just driving more than we used to? Does
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>anyone think that traffic and noise presents a problem?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Yes, I do have an agenda here. Drive less, drive smaller vehicles,
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>take alternative transportation when available. Walk, ride the bus,
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>consolidate trips to the store, ride a bike (it's fun and generally
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>safe).
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>I challenge readers to contemplate their driving habits. Why would
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>this be important? The answers are many: Pollution. Conservation
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>of resources. Quality of life. Conservation of city/county
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>resources. Personal and public health. Political issues, both
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>international and national.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Wouldn't it be nice to live in a town that didn't constantly hum
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>and roar with traffic? It is something only personal initiative
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>will change.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Roger Hayes
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>Moscow
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>_____________________________________________________
<DIV></DIV>>
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<DIV></DIV>> >>communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >>mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
<DIV></DIV>>
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<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
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<DIV></DIV>> >List services made available by First Step Internet, serving the
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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<DIV></DIV>> >mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
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