Few Sneckdowns to Document it Seems; Froth on a Streetcar as Shiny new Toy

Well, it looks like the snow is melting too quickly this morning and there may not be much opportunity to document excess space in our roads and streets. But if you are out and about and see places where snow remains, where cars clearly have unneeded space, and where roads could be narrowed, crosswalks shortened, or bike lanes added, take a picture for our TSP update!

Sneckdowns on State and 12th in 2019

See notes from 2016 and 2018 for more on sneckdowns.

On State Street by Pioneer Trust at Commercial
(via State Archives)

Also Rep. Andersen has a hearing today on his streetcar proposal, and there is a good bit of uncritical enthusiasm for it. Significantly, Cherriots appears to be silent on it. If it were such a great idea, you'd think they would show more visible support. As a shiny toy it attracts support, but as an expensive infrastructure solution with real costs, a boondoggle too often in cities, supporters have not thought through:

1. Value. Any rail solution will be very expensive. Are there alternative solutions at a lower cost that will yield the same or nearly the same benefit?
   
2. Opportunity cost. If we make a great capital investment for streetcar, what opportunities for investing elsewhere will we have to pass by? Does a streetcar hoover up discretionary dollars for things like the bikeway system and sidewalks?
   
3. Cannibalizing walking and biking space. There are constant threats to poach space on the Union Street Bridge. If we want to reduce driving and to make walking and biking more lovely, why do we not reduce driving lanes instead of degrading walking and biking space? Why not reallocate existing auto capacity for higher ends?
4. What about operational expenses and future maintenance obligations? Will a new system cut into existing bus service or make increased frequency less likely?

Previously here:

• "City Club Talks Streetcar - But are we Missing Simpler Solutions?" (2013)
• "As a new Streetcar Proposal is Floated, Close Scrutiny is Needed" (2022)
  

Addendum, March 3rd

The paper today had a story about the streetcar bill. It had got the hearing on the 28th, after having been postponed on the 23rd.

Front page today

It noted that Allan Pollock, the GM of Cherriots, testified in favor, but Cherriots did not submit written comment.

This is still a little odd. A Director, acting personally not officially, commented on FB that she favored a trolley with wheels rather than fixed rail streetcar. The President of Cherriots has been silent, in contrast with his tweeting, letter, and in-person support for the WES expansion study.

Presumably more time will clarify the depth of Cherriots' support. The City of Salem did not offer comment.

At the February Morningside Neighborhood Association, railfan and former Cherriots Director Bob Krebs, talked about the concept.

Feb. 2023 Morningside NA minutes

His 2013 proposal had cannibalized the Union Street Bridge for the streetcar, and now he seems to be talking about a new bridge. This may be why Rep. Evans is interested in the bill. Smuggling in the Son of SRC is something to watch out for!

Separately, I forgot that Warren Buffet was publicly signalling opposition to a streetcar concept in Omaha. He highlights many of the reasons to question a new streetcar.

December 2022