Stan Aten

As someone who attended a lot of the endless meetings related to the Trinity back in 1998 and read all the stories since, I will provide some alternatives to consider to provide permanent relief vs yet another multilane toll road in the region. The current debate reminds me of the fight over rebuilding Central Expressway. TXDOT wanted to double deck, and the citizens of Dallas and the Park Cities said NO. They did a survey of people using the roadway and determined that double decking was not the solution. So,

Step #2 Work with TXDOT and the railroads to upgrade rail lines that carry freight so NAFTA truck traffic and other long haul trucks can be diverted from the road network to rail. A big chunk of the traffic problems are created by all those trucks going to and from Mexico. There is funding that Texas voters approved to relocate those freight lines from urban areas to the country. Rail lines in urban areas can then be converted to commuter rail lines.

Step # 3 Require all cities in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant County to join a mass transit authority. Part of the problem is a lot a suburbs do not have any form of mass transit. This requires everyone to use cars or trucks to get around.

Step # 4 Restrict the sprawl which is encouraging longer and longer commutes. Work with employers to build affordable housing closer to employment centers.

Step # 5 Extend the Red Line in Oak Cliff to Cedar Hill. The track is there. It is just a question of funding. Convert the Union Pacific Line which goes east and west to a commuter rail line. Relocate the Union Pacific Freight line to south of Dallas County.

Step #6 Look at improving north/south connector roads like Hampton, Westmoreland,and Zang to accommodate local (Dallas) traffic.

Step # 7 Understand that adding 100,000 cars will increase air pollution in a region that already violates air quality standards. Understand that the price of gasoline will continue rising, and we have to prepare as a society for the day when gasoline fueled vehicles will be a luxury just as when it began 100 years ago. Without other transit options, this region's economy will collapse. This country has only 20 years or less to prepare. I just read a recent prediction that oil in 20 years could be $150 a barrel, with gas prices at least $4.35 a gallon.