Billhuggins wrote:
U have raise some interesting ideas. Let me add something to your story. Calif. has the highest gas taxes in the nation. But the money is syphoned off for the general budget. This is but one example of out right lies to the public because Calif. has the most pot holes (I ant speaking to cannabis either) per mile than any other state. They told us that they needed more money for roads and we pass the bonds and they spent the money on welfare. Politicians win, we lose
It isn't just in California. The Minnesota Department of T***sportation has become obsessed with "roundabouts" to
replace conventional intersections. They are more expensive to
construct, take additional land from the tax roles, are more difficult for snow removal and visibility, and can create maneuverability issues for semi trucks. U.S Highway 14 between North Mankato and New Ulm, MN is statistically one
of the more deadly roadways in MN. Rather than prioritize
reconstruction to extend 4 lanes as has been completed from
Owattona to North Mankato, MN, MN DOT erected three foot
X 2.5 inch yellow plastic pipe every two feet, in the centerline
for 10 miles. The adhesive, yes adhesive, they used began to fail almost immediately. MN DOT removed the plastic tubes and
the next construction season bolted replacement tubes into the
same stretch of pavement. On several occasions I have ridden
my motorcycle along this stretch of roadway to reach more scenic stretches of additional roads, and my observations tell
me the problems of cell phones and texting, other driving distractions and speeding could be readily reduced by more strict enforcement. In addition, rather than address the actual safety issue through construction and enforcement, political entities have lobbied for more expensive intersections to aid
perceived, unproven economic development, or other projects
that bring highway dollars to mundane even unnecessary projects requested by municipalities throughout the state.
Projects that should be constructed using local funds. MN also
uses fuel tax revenue in the general fund and convinces the media of the necessity for aesthetic improvement priority over
safety. Rest assured, CA and MN are not the only states and political subdivisions with fools in high places misappropriating
funds for political reasons.