Annapolis Capital Punishment

This is what the Bay Bridges will look like in summers to come when temperatures hit 105 degrees and gasoline hits $7.50 per gallon. Some think we should plan on a never ending increase in vehicle miles traveled, and therefore keep on building. Of course, $4 per gallon fuel has already caused a drop in miles driven.

It was not long after the recent fatal crash on our Bay Bridges (yes there are two of them as well as the bridge-tunnel near Norfolk) that some clamored for another crossing, a third span...yada yada yada...Okay-how often is there a fatal or serious crash on the bridges? Well they happen, but seriously, how often? Any more than on any other busy road? Of course the aftermath of tie-ups is worse, but does this mean we need another bridge? Sure, if you just want to build and develop and slash and burn, go ahead and make another bridge. But maybe, just maybe we cannot build our way out of this one. The first crossing was in 1952 and then just 21 years later a second one. Even if we could and did build one to open in five years or so, would we find ourselves crying for another--a fourth crossing in the year 2020 or 2025?

And we must ask ourselves that given what we can reasonably expect about the future of oil and all energy, as well as the environmental concerns, are we sure we really want to keep building as usual, imposing 1950's solutions on 21st and 22nd century challenges? If traffic is the problem and cars and roads make traffic, why would we want to continue adding cars and roads in order to alleviate traffic? Surely the argument is vastly more complex than I make it here, but we must really face the facts and ask ourselves if building more roads and highways is a viable or even sustainable option.

THE DAYS OF CHEAP OIL ARE OVER. EVENTUALLY WE WILL RUN OUT. EVERY ALTERNATIVE IS FRAUGHT WITH DIFFICULTY AND DOWNSIDES. HOWEVER, WE MUST FACE THE FACTS AND THEY ARE THAT WE CANNOT BUILD OURSELVES OUT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION. IT MAY HAVE WORKED IN SOME PLACES FOR SOME TIMES, BUT THOSE DAYS ARE BEHIND US.

(Note: Eeegads...just after publishing this post, I found that the "get around doctor" at the local newspaper's blog just came out in support of a third span. This guy is getting worse by the day. You can find him at their blog....I'm tired of giving free publicity and links all the time to that very large and profitable media organ. However, this is what he writes, "Why are we locked into policies that, while well meaning, prevent us from improving our quality of life? They prevent us from finding solutions to evolving and emerging problems. If there is another alternative to a new bridge being built I would like to hear it." ......Uh, duh, yeah, like more buses, vanpools, staggered arrival times for rentals in OC, more people getting the passcards, intelligent engineering systems...and here goes...higher fuel prices will make it happen anyhow!!! The "doctor" thinks that more roads and bridges add to our quality of life???? "Finding solutions to evolving and emerging problems" as he asks, do not mean business as usual. Puhleeze!)

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