Essay Database

Austin is growing much faster than many would prefer. One of the biggest challenges that face Austin is transportation. Roads alone cannot do the job. Neither can light rail alone. However, rail is the only proven alternative that gets cars off the road while providing liable transportation. Rail can be built with no tax increase; it will help families save money, and it also the best shot at reversing air pollution. Look around at the …

…lanes, plus a reversible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. That is almost doubling in size and would mean taking out businesses, homes, and major institutions. Without rail, demands for these roads-only solutions will increase dramatically. Those who favor these solutions face a long wait. These highway changes cannot even begin until 2007. Rail could be operating by then. I believe that light rail will help everything environmentally and economically. So I say "Yes to light rail!"