Letter to Wisconsin Dept of Transportation by Sura, January 27

I understand that you are accepting comments on the freeway expansion that will cost taxpayers $1.9 billion.

I and most (all?) of my community is strongly opposed to this.

Expanding the freeways is backwards, wasteful, environmentally irresponsible and a full-out slap in the face to forward thinking for our future.

It will cost us far too much money in order to keep a dying system as “king,” when instead we should be looking at greater public/mass transit options. A recent report Public Transportation’s Contribution to Greenhouse Gas Reduction stated, “One of the most significant actions that household members can take to reduce their carbon footprint is to use public transportation where it is available…. Reducing the daily use of one low occupancy vehicle and using public transit can reduce a household’s carbon footprint between 25-30%.”

If we are to build and maintain an infrastructure that will serve not only our future–but present–needs, surely public transportation is the way to go. The City of Milwaukee is #2 in the nation for unemployment, is lagging behind in environmental leadership, and is known nationally for its hyper-segregation. As Wisconsin’s largest city, one would hope that the State DOT is considering the impact of its decision on its largest population.

Please do not expand the freeways. Invest in our future - public transportation.

Sura Faraj

27 Jan 2008 | 7:04 pm | Public Transportation, Health, Streets, Bicycles, Pedestrians

No comments

Add your comments