Light Rail and other transportation tidbits

Here is an interesting article on light rail construction coming to Mesa and what it could mean to local businesses. In the article, it discusses that Mesa will make a decision next year on if they want to expand 3 miles further into Mesa. All of this without a single train up and running. I think its probably wise to wait and see how the thing works before we fire up the bureaucracy in extending anything.

It may end up being the best thing since sliced bread, but even the first few pieces of bread were probably a little rough. Let them work out the kinks and figure the best kinds of uses around the existing lines so Mesa can be ahead of the curve if and when they start any sort of extension.

Also, I thought this was an interesting post over at Espresso Pundit regarding the upcoming statewide transportation plan thats trying to get on the ballot. As I have said before, I think it looks bad and its the wrong time for such an epic tax hike, but I was surprised to learn about how much money could be used for wildlife and other special interests. We have real transportation needs in this state, and I think we should address those before we start paying more taxes for animal protection and high-speed trains to nowhere.