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