F our decades ago, the two of us were part of an extraordinary process that reinvented the way the state thinks about transportation and set the stage for an economic revival that we continue to enjoy today. That process was triggered by one of the most politically courageous decisions made by any modern Massachusetts governor: Governor Francis W. Sargent’s 1970 moratorium on new highway construction in Greater Boston.
In the late 1960s, business, labor, and other powerful interests believed building highways was essential to address traffic congestion and spur the moribund economy. But a diverse collection of opponents, initially focused on their own neighborhoods or particular causes, responded by coordinating their efforts and becoming not just anti-highway but pro-smart planning. Urban and suburban, working-class white and black, environmentalists and parish priests, this unlikely coalition convinced Sargent to change direction. “Nearly everyone was sure highways were the only answer to transportation problems,” the governor noted. “We were wrong.”
Comments
It's time to license and exact a $500.00 per year excise tax on non motorized modes of transporation (Mopeds, Bicycles, etc). Transfer 25% of welfare program payment monies, end the Non-Profit status of Schools, Hospitals and Religious institutions then put these monies toward modern infrastructure. No more perks for these freeloaders. Use all this money to modernize, build and maintain the infrastructure that working people want and need! Yes--Revamp the MBTA contracts--20 year retiremnts??? give me a break!!!! By the way I'm a loyal union member liberal--let's knock off the nonsense!!!!
OK Einstein, who is going to pay the increase of taxes on these places? You are. Also the T no longer has twenty year retirements. You have to be 65.
I'm completely on board with this, but before going after your targets we need to get the oil industry off the dole: no more tax breaks, no more subsidies, and let gas rise to a natural free-market price. If we follow Europe's example on this, gas should be able to rise to about $10 a gallon, and more. With $10 a gallon gas, the transportation infrastructure would dramatically improve in greater Boston!
As the advent of gaming in SE MA is imminent and the communities there prepare to shoulder additional, localized burdens of traffic and gaming related social issues, the suggestion has been made to dedicate new gambling revenues to the long delayed South Coast commuter rail project. This has such obvious merit and would redress the isolation that region endures from the job creation engines of the rest of eastern MA. And after all, job creation was rightfully the justification for casinos. If the goal is fairness...this is the way to go.
If the connector was built, it would have relieved the expressway of half the traffic it has now. Daily gridlock has its associated costs, not to mention that stupid lane machine. The T is a victim of three Republican governors who felt no need to fund it properly. Needed funds were borrowed, increasing the debt exponentially.
Einstein Here! If I use the service I don't mind paying. Take a look at what those Non profit schools, hospitals and religious institutions are paying their top people. Many make more that the President! What a joke--helping society?--no helping themselves!! Too bad you have no ideas to improve, finance and bring our infrastructure and modes of transportation into the 21st century. That's the problem--with some folks all negativity while the country goes down the drain. Be positive lets straighten our country out before we become Monrovia
So, you don't believe churches and hospitals will pass the cost of taxes on to you. Well, Santa Claus is coming this month, too, I suppose. I do have an idea to solve the transportation debt. Pay what it actually takes to move your butt around town in the real world.