The Transportation and Mass Transit Megathread

[rookzie]

I can see some rationale for construction of an airport-downtown starter light rail line with no intermediate stops, from the standpoint of initial cost outlay and even time constraints for development.  It  is, however, not as cost effective (or, let’s say,  as “investment efficient”) to operate such a line, as it would be with no fewer than  two additional stops—even for an “express” run.   IMO  an express run could serve optimally with three stops, excluding the initial terminus.  It almost would have to serve more than those intending to travel the entire route.

That said, factors leading to such a decision to build an exclusive starter line might include individual altruistic benefactors offering outright but  conditional capital, or corporate entities consorting in creative financing, in the form of P3s (Public-Private Partnerships).   It very well could be devoid of any normally qualifying intergovernmental aid (federal or state), until service eventually could be expanded to conform to more inclusive guidelines.  Any local govt. funding for operations likely would have to come from  the General Fund of a given fiscal year and from non-sales tax revenue. 

While it might be faster to develop a zero-stop light rail line, I would hope that long-range planning would be incorporated into it.  Otherwise it could end up as another costly boondoggle with huge cost overruns of expansion brought on by inadequate foresight.  A zero-stop start-up would need to entail much of the same nominal planning as for a full-service infrastructure — power distribution stations, service facility(-ies) and intermediate, interstitial track crossovers (to handle obstructions due to equipment failures), and associated signaling on dedicated RoW.

Just another of my 2 cents.

Edited April 28, 2019 by rookzie

[gannman]

An express route from the airport would not be supported by the citizens of Nashville  if there are no stops in between. 

[ruraljuror]

2 hours ago, gannman said:

An express route from the airport would not be supported by the citizens of Nashville  if there are no stops in between. 

This is the conundrum.  Is it easier to include stops on the rail line in advance - when you have to convince neighborhoods to support the construction of a local station?  Or is it easier to build the rail line first and wait for the neighborhoods to recognize the advantage and compete over the placement of the station stops?   I don't have the answer, but it's all part of the beautiful mystery that is Nashville.

[OnePointEast]

Are the overpasses on 440(I-40, I-65, and I-24) also being widen to three lanes? Is there a PDF of the construction in detail for the public to see?

[PruneTracy]

43 minutes ago, OnePointEast said:

Are the overpasses on 440(I-40, I-65, and I-24) also being widen to three lanes?

The overpass at the I-65 stack interchange is being widened. The interchange ramps at I-40 and I-24 are remaining as they are.

43 minutes ago, OnePointEast said:

Is there a PDF of the construction in detail for the public to see?

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdot-construction-division/transportation-construction-alternative-contracting/transportation-construction-division-design-build-i-440.html

Under "Reference Material". Note that these are the conceptual plans provided by TDOT and not the final plans produced by the design-builder.

[markhollin]

A year after the transit referendum failed, Nashville leaders eye 2024 for next plan vote, while they focus on solutions, consensus.

More at The Tennessean here:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/05/02/nashville-next-transit-plan-may-come-2024-referendum/3506780002/

[nashwatcher]

Hopefully they do the light rail line down Murfreesboro Rd  from the airport before then?? There's an obvious need for that and then we can use that model to show the public how well it works (with at least 3-4 stops along Murfreesboro Rd to encourage development). The future lines could tie in to the station on Lafayette that's built for the airport line.

[PaulChinetti]

1 hour ago, markhollin said:

A year after the transit referendum failed, Nashville leaders eye 2024 for next plan vote, while they focus on solutions, consensus.

More at The Tennessean here:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/05/02/nashville-next-transit-plan-may-come-2024-referendum/3506780002/

Let me type what the comments say before I even go look at the article. 

• Why don't we pay our teachers/fire fighters/police now??!?!?!
• Corrupt Briley, someone's getting kick backs for this boondoggle!!!!
• More lanes on the interstate, now!!!!

Dang, no comments yet. I would have liked that article to go ask the hard line no people, the groups funded by Beaman and company and ask them if they had come up with their plans yet to cover more people for less money. I think them getting a free pass on their wildly false claims is ridiculous.

Hopefully in 2024 the Transit side hires a confident PR team that will get out early and often with the basics such as yard signs and mailers on why and how it will benefit everyone from the individual to the business. 

[grilled_cheese]

Beacon center with the typical "thoughts and prayers" response.

[Dale]

“Do it for the children!”

If that fails ...

”Save the sea turtles!”

 

[PaulChinetti]

I don't know why I punish myself, from the Tennessean article. 

"For people who are dedicated to diverting taxpayer monies into their own pockets (in this case, the real estate developers in the Chamber of Commerce), the "momentum" will always be there."

Posted by a "person" on facebook with no friends, 2 pictures, a completely legit profile I'm sure. That comment was followed by 5 points, dare I say almost exactly the talking points of the anti-transit folks. 

[markhollin]

Another coalition, Connect Mid TN,  forms to push for transit improvements. It will have a more regional focus:

 https://www.nashvillepublicradio.org/post/one-year-after-nashville-transit-defeat-coalition-forms-push-improvements#stream/0

[markhollin]

Mayors of Nashville, Franklin, and Columbia meet to discuss a southern mass transit corridor.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/05/07/mayors-begin-planning-for-transit-corridor-south.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

[BnaBreaker]

Here are a few photos of the recently opened first line of Oklahoma City's streetcar system.  As you can see, it has created a real traffic nightmare.  lol

https://www.camelsandchocolate.com/oklahoma-city-streetcar/

Edited May 10, 2019 by BnaBreaker

[MagicPotato]

10 hours ago, BnaBreaker said:

Here are a few photos of the recently opened first line of Oklahoma City's streetcar system.  As you can see, it has created a real traffic nightmare.  lol

https://www.camelsandchocolate.com/oklahoma-city-streetcar/

A street car in Nashville would be nice. Imagine one from midtown to downtown or at least one from midtown to CBD. 

[nashvylle]

12 hours ago, BnaBreaker said:

Here are a few photos of the recently opened first line of Oklahoma City's streetcar system.  As you can see, it has created a real traffic nightmare.  lol

https://www.camelsandchocolate.com/oklahoma-city-streetcar/

Thanks for sending. 

I'll refrain from debating if $130MM for a streetcar is worth it... However, looking at Oklahoma City's tallest building made me think... that simple crown does a lot, and I hope pray cry scream that Nashville Yards does something similar with their 40 story tower. 

 

Edited May 10, 2019 by nashvylle

[OnePointEast]

37 minutes ago, nashvylle said:

Nashville Yards does something similar with their 40 story story. 

 

Quite a J.K. Rowling novel, that

[Dale]

On 5/2/2019 at 8:48 AM, grilled_cheese said:

Beacon center with the typical "thoughts and prayers" response.

Better billions and millennial whoops.

[grilled_cheese]

https://www.nashvillepublicradio.org/post/nashville-may-cut-bus-service-and-raise-fares-because-budget-shortfall#stream/0

[Salbato]

Credit. Metro Nashville Archives 

1913 Street car map

Can we bring this back 

 

[PaulChinetti]

1 hour ago, grilled_cheese said:

https://www.nashvillepublicradio.org/post/nashville-may-cut-bus-service-and-raise-fares-because-budget-shortfall#stream/0

Lord, how have rates not gone up in 7 years? Seems short-sighted. 

Also when is a council person going to go after  all the businesses/individuals getting out of their tax bill. I would love to see the total amount b/I have avoided with their deferrals and reassessments . 

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/on-the-rise/homes-in-wealthy-neighborhoods-received-property-tax-decrease

Ugh, feeling extra salty about this today for some reason. 

[markhollin]

WeGo proposes ending downtown's free bus loop amid $8.7 million budget shortfall:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/05/20/wego-proposes-nixing-downtowns-free-bus-loop-amid.html?ana=twt

[smeagolsfree]

How about lets cut the mayors salary to zero.  I think its high time the little weasel starts looking long term for a solution as he is more interested in getting reelected. I will bet if you ask him right now if he has a plan to raise taxes he will say no, but after he is re-elected then they will go up. I would have much more respect for the man if he raised them and made the hard choice now. 

Taxes are going to have to rise

[MLBrumby]

LOL... All my acquaintances in our Nashville office who know the mayor simply do not have a high opinion of him. They say he's antisocial and not too bright. Some even said he's spiteful. 

[smeagolsfree]

You should see the comments about his Pug Day in Nashville in the Tennessean.