Bad place to cut

Published 11:35 am Friday, March 25, 2011

Daily Herald Editorial

It is perhaps no surprise that spending on commuter rail projects seems to be squarely in the sights of the legislative majority as its members grapple with Minnesota’s $5.2 billion budget deficit. It’s the sort of short-term thinking that has characterized the rudderless, ill-formed vision for Minnesota’s future that has typified most budget legislation this session.

Anyone who has ever driven in the metropolitan area knows there is a transportation problem. Far too many cars clog far too few highway lanes, and the Twin Cities is routinely one of the most congested in the nation. It has also, in recent years, been subjected to various air quality warnings as automobile tailpipes foul the atmosphere. Among the obvious, although admittedly costly and long-term, solutions is better mass transit. Minnesota’s metropolitan corridor from St. Cloud through the Cities down to Rochester is characterized by a weak transit system.

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Equally built-up urban areas elsewhere in the country move masses of people every day on trains and express buses. Other than a lack of foresight, there is no reason Minnesota is not doing the same. But it’s not too late. Instead of building new freeway lanes, Minnesota should be building more commuter rail transportation. This would have the dual effect of making automobile commuting less desirable, and rail transportation more pleasant — perhaps without spending any additional dollars. Would that be popular? No. Would it be wise? Yes. Unfortunately, this year’s Legislature, like its predecessors, seems to be putting popularity ahead of wisdom.

Minnesota’s metropolitan areas have reached a saturation point when it comes to automobile travel.

It’s time to start investing in alternatives.