tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post5839818731452094071..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Is Alternative 2A really that much better than the Salem Alternative/4D?Salem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-27867637610742157812014-10-25T13:55:47.353-07:002014-10-25T13:55:47.353-07:00The strengths of 2A also make it the most likely t...The strengths of 2A also make it the most likely to be funded and constructed:<br /><br />It can address the seismic deficiencies.<br />It does most directly address the stated problem of traffic demand to the CBD.<br />It is a stronger candidate for federal funding.<br />Its price tag is within reach.<br /><br />The big advantage of it is that it removes the "cloud" from the Highland Neighborhood.<br /><br />The Salem Alternative or 4D lite or whatever you want to call it seems to me to be a pipe dream in the context of transportation funding realities of the 21st century. 2A seems much more realistic and within reach.<br /><br />If "No Build" is the desired outcome, the Salem Alt. is more likely to produce it than 2A.<br />Curtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-4421469543733909342014-10-21T16:42:48.113-07:002014-10-21T16:42:48.113-07:00SBOB, thanks for your detailed critique of Alterna...SBOB, thanks for your detailed critique of Alternative 2A. But the answer to your question, "is it much better..", is definitely yes. The Salem River Crossing project, having been underway since 2006 and having spent $7-8 million to date, is going to push ahead to a conclusion. We at NO 3rd Bridge think that conclusion should be Alternative 2A or some variation on Alternative 2A, clearly the best of the "build alternatives" in the DEIS. Our elected leaders need to quit fantasizing about a 3rd Bridge that we simply can't afford and get back to looking at how the bridges we have can be improved. It is particularly important that at least one of our existing bridges be retrofitted to survive the next Cascadia megaquake, and we think this objective can be worked into Alternative 2A. We agree that Alternative 2A has many problematic aspects, particularly for multi-mode transportation. But it is by far the best of the build alternatives in the DEIS, and the Salem City Council should acknowledge this and recommend strongly to the Oversight Team that they change course and select Alternative 2A as their new preferred alternative.Jim Scheppkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04077003905171156283noreply@blogger.com