Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Letters to the editor
Fund bridge repairs, not sprawl and speculation
By David Tessitor
August 28, 2007
As the chair of the CAP when it was eliminated by the SPRPC in 1998 for telling federal officials of the abuses we discovered, I can tell you that most of the changes needed are well understood and do not need to be invented -- they've simply been ignored.
As a citizen who is currently assisting Allegheny County Council in drafting a transit reform proposal to present to the state Legislature, I can say that it will do no good to make one or two little corrections and think the problem is solved -- real solutions will need to be comprehensive.
Before we toss more taxpayer money around, we must rethink transportation at the regional, state and national levels. Transportation is at the nexus of many of our most threatening problems. More efficient transportation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage and our oil dependency.
Eliminating the influence of real estate speculation, currently the controlling factor in transportation planning, can combat suburban sprawl, help preserve and revitalize existing communities, and stop unwarranted consumption of valuable farmland and natural habitat.
Restructuring the way we do transit can mean more and better public transit, not less. Establishing new capabilities for regional and intercity rail service, including a rapid rail connection to the airport, can increase our economic competitiveness and create more job opportunities.
Most importantly, a well-integrated approach can ensure that each component of our transportation system will be well-maintained and operate at its intended level of service.
Pennsylvanians must make clear to their legislators that we expect nothing less than complete transportation reform. If that happens, we will be surprised to find there is less need to throw more money at the problem than is now thought. We may have to pay a little extra, but the public will be pleased to see that for once we will be getting full value for our money.
First Published: August 28, 2007, 6:15 p.m.