Austin Traffic

After reading an article in the Austin American Statesman written by Ben Wear on November 26, 2007 called CAMPO wrestling rail planning from Cap Metro I believe that we should do something about our traffic problems other than the toll roads. A fourteen member work group (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization or CAMPO) has been assembled to determine the next step for central Texas rail. Although this sounds promising it is doubtful anything will happen in our near future. Untangling all this in time for a 2008 election, however, could be a stretch. Doing it right, not fast, is what matters, McCracken said. It is detrimental that we have already wasted twenty-two years on planning and still can not seem to come up with a realistic plan nor enough money to fund a rail system. There is even talk of us not being able to repair or expand current roads to meet current traffic needs and that more money is needed from the legislation. There are many reasons for the rail to not be built. I believe the crime rate in Austin will increase if an underground rail system is implemented, but an external one would be difficult because of the already over crowded space. The main reason for the delays seems to be money. The Capital Metro says they do not have the funding for rail projects and just last year a proposal for a $210 million was declined when presented by our current Mayor Wynn (who will lead the CAMPO). I really believe our legislature should either fund the project or deny it. It would be more logical to spend our money on something more productive like building more roads instead of wasting our money on a committee that leads to nowhere, while allowing foreign countries to come in and use our needed labor to build toll roads resulting in a private gain.