Search found 243 matches

by omaja
Fri Apr 27, 2012 4:40 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project
Replies: 298
Views: 99071

You also have to remember that it's not six contiguous lanes in each direction like I-80 eastbound between 42nd and I-480, but two systems consisting of three lanes each - one for I-80 and one for I-29. It's more like I-80 around the I-L-Q exits. If you count all those lanes, it's actually 13. In t...
by omaja
Sat Apr 07, 2012 1:03 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project
Replies: 298
Views: 99071

Twelve lanes may seem like a lot but considering I-80 is 8-11 lanes through Omaha as it is, it's not a stretch to think that I-80/I-29 will need the capacity in the future.
by omaja
Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:27 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project
Replies: 298
Views: 99071

They had always said "up to" 10 lanes, but that never meant that they would go with 10 immediately. Also, I doubt we'll move beyond 6 until the 480/75 and 13th St changes are made, much less the I/29-I/80 changes on the Iowa side. I understand that construction is ongoing and they obvious...
by omaja
Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:31 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project
Replies: 298
Views: 99071

The bridge is to be 10 lanes I thought?  That's what Iowa DOT has on their schematics of the project: http://www.iowadot.gov/cbinterstate/Segment1.asp.
by omaja
Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:29 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

Well, precisely. They have many of the same fiscal and political negatives that the US has, yet still manage to have better infrastructure (which also means better kinds of infrastructure) and a higher quality of life for all of their citizens. It isn't that they "manage" to have better i...
by omaja
Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:15 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

There is any number of countries out there that are far superior to the US in innumerable ways. Right now the question I'm grappling with is, do I stay here and try to help sift through the wreckage of our current train-wreck existence, or do I go to a country whose citizens get life? Can we put a ...
by omaja
Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:22 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

Yeah, I guess I don't see the point you're trying to make, omaja. Yes, that's still a small percentage of the overall population and is the result of many factors that far outweigh pure mode choice---i.e. the horrible transportation planning habits of about the last quarter of America's existence. ...
by omaja
Sun Sep 25, 2011 4:36 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

Not sure that really helped your case (3.5% is a small percentage by any measure, no?), but thank you for providing actual numbers.
by omaja
Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:03 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

For a case-in-point, see the fact that Minneapolis was ranked America's #1 bike-friendly city, and that's not based on people only bicycling 4 months out of the year. Minneapolis could have the best bike infrastructure with no one using it and someone would still call it "bike-friendly". ...
by omaja
Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:45 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

For a case-in-point, see the fact that Minneapolis was ranked America's #1 bike-friendly city, and that's not based on people only bicycling 4 months out of the year. Minneapolis could have the best bike infrastructure with no one using it and someone would still call it "bike-friendly". ...
by omaja
Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:10 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Megabus - New IA Service - Omaha next?
Replies: 51
Views: 14980

HuskerDave wrote:Busses (yes, that's the correct spelling.. double S)
Just thought I'd chime in on this because it's about the only thing interesting posted in the last page or so... but, both spellings are correct.  Double "s" is usually given as the alternate, however. :lol:
by omaja
Sat Jul 30, 2011 5:08 pm
Forum: Urban Omaha Development
Topic: The Highline (Northern Natural Gas Building)
Replies: 197
Views: 46957

bigredmed wrote:Too close to Creighton to be habitable.   A person who worked for a living would never chose to live there.  I foresee a new  16th street.
Buffered by the Joslyn/Physicians Mutual and I-480?  It isn't that close unless Creighton literally overtakes downtown.
by omaja
Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:51 pm
Forum: Sports
Topic: Stanley Cup
Replies: 23
Views: 2256

Not at all.  I don't think you can really compare the Boston-New York relationship to many others (maybe Dallas-Houston or LA-San Francisco?).  I'm not excusing the way Boston fans sometimes behave, just offering an explanation for it.  When you see Boston fans lashing out at New York in an unrel...
by omaja
Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:04 am
Forum: Sports
Topic: Stanley Cup
Replies: 23
Views: 2256

I think it's safe to say that Boston is America's best sports city. Sorry New Yorkers. With probably the worst fans, Philly excepted. What's funny is they will still have a little brother complex when it comes to New York. A significantly more frugal, cleaner, better educated little brother, mind y...
by omaja
Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:48 pm
Forum: Statistics
Topic: Kiplinger: 10 Great Cities for New College Grads
Replies: 15
Views: 2827

Any list that has Baltimore as number one should automatically lose its credibility.  One of the most dangerous cities in America being the best city for new college grads?  I don't think so.  All of the other choices seem to make a lot of sense though.  Omaha seems like the odd man out, though.
by omaja
Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:34 pm
Forum: Urban Omaha Development
Topic: Omaha Civic Auditorium Discussion
Replies: 459
Views: 62513

Ironically, if you look at Google Maps, you'd think Creighton already owns the Civic.  It is the same brown color they use to denote places of education whereas the Qwest Center is the usual gray.  Maybe Google knows something we don't.  :;):
by omaja
Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:37 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Streetcar Discussion
Replies: 3469
Views: 438204

It had better be a hybridized streetcar-light rail system.  If they are just planning a short stub network for Downtown/Midtown, it will fall short of its potential.  There needs to be seamless connectivity with West Omaha and Bellevue at the very least. Not like this study won't be followed up by...
by omaja
Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:24 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5705

I'm merely arguing that they perform less than ideally. A monopoly is the most ideal way to maximize profits and yet we see transit authorities in dire financial straights almost in perpetuity.  Why?  Not so much because they are monopolies but because of the antiquated work rules, belligerent unio...
by omaja
Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:00 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5705

The benefits of having multiple providers duplicating service, providing options and competing with one another are pretty slim when we're talking about local public transportation.  They can't really compete on amenities (like air and long-distance rail travel can) and margins will be razor thin w...
by omaja
Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:06 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5705

He has been arguing for privatization, not against it.
by omaja
Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:09 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5705

As for underserved areas, what ends up happening is that users in busier areas pay more to subsidize users in less profitable areas. Quite frankly, that is just wishful thinking unless the government mandates it.  A private company will not maintain underperforming or loss-making routes simply beca...
by omaja
Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:18 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

My whole point is that, when arguing in the realm of Public Good, you can't argue for public funding of a semi-excludable object (the WDE) while arguing against it for a non-excludeable object (a street car). I mean, obviously you CAN argue that, but what I'm trying to say is there is a logical dis...
by omaja
Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:22 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5705

The best way to deal with transit is to free it up.  Rather than a city owned/chartered/whatever bus company, allow the market to determine the extent to which buses, or trains (highly unlikely here), or street cars are needed.  The problem with public transit systems is that, like any other centra...
by omaja
Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:17 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Frontier, Nonstops to LAX, Omaha a focus city, etc.
Replies: 21
Views: 4694

Sorry to hear that.  But honestly they needed at least one daily nonstop flight to either city in order to compete.  Three times a week just doesn't cut it for frequent travelers who are fiercely loyal to United and Southwest on Omaha-West Coast routes.
by omaja
Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:41 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

Forget Phoenix/Tucson proper... I-10 has at least as much commercial traffic as I-80... the vpd counts between our two metros are comparable... No, it does not.  The total volumes may be comparable, but I-80 moves far more commercial traffic than I-10 by virtue of its routing through the middle of...
by omaja
Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:09 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

ADOT estimates that I-10 traffic between the two metros will exceed 200,000 vpd by 2013. 200,000... and they're still debating whether to build a bypass to handle the traffic. The sections of I-10 that see 100,000+ AADT around Phoenix are significantly wider (6-14 total lanes including HOV).  A fou...
by omaja
Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:41 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

Ok, Omaja, now you are playing it blind in both directions.  First you claim that the only reason the expand to six lanes is to relieve the overwhelming heavy vehicle traffic.  This notion isn't touched on at all in the World Herald article and mostly irrelevant outside of trucking company lobbyist...
by omaja
Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:23 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

It's eye opening that I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson... several times larger than the combined areas of Omaha/Lincoln (I'll bet Tucson is quickly nearing the combined populations of our two cities alone!)... still get by with two lanes of interstate between them!   It IS a waste of money. I think ...
by omaja
Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:03 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

This project is not a result of massive congestion caused by unceasing sprawl; you are arguing about one thing to support an argument about something else. I will cede the point on "unceasing" sprawl. But 25 years ago Sapp Brothers to Lincoln was pretty much dark territory except for the ...
by omaja
Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:15 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

Similarly the transportation study that recommends increasing I80 to 6 lanes has a bit of 'splaining to do.  Is, outside of gameday traffic, this "improvement" necessary?  And, as I've posted before, will this temporary traffic relief lead to simply more congestion as study after study po...
by omaja
Mon May 30, 2011 2:35 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

I wonder -- with as much as the world has changed since this massive endeavor started -- if state and local transportation planners regret that they put all their eggs (eggs being millions upon millions of dollars) into this one basket. Think of how much this has cost and all the meaningful, sustai...
by omaja
Fri May 20, 2011 1:07 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway 370 (Gretna to I-80)
Replies: 25
Views: 4159

Gretna nearly tripled its population in eight years.  Considering 370 is the fastest, most direct route to I-80 and points east, the majority of those people use it to get to and from their jobs.
by omaja
Fri May 20, 2011 7:09 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway 370 (Gretna to I-80)
Replies: 25
Views: 4159

Maybe all those people you know would decide to live closer in if the traffic and congestion of their commute on 370 became too much headache to deal with.  :;): I hope you don't get upset if you get your wish eventually and it ends up pricing current residents out of their homes/apartments, forcin...
by omaja
Thu May 19, 2011 1:45 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway 370 (Gretna to I-80)
Replies: 25
Views: 4159

The entire stretch from Gretna averaged over 11,000 vehicles per day in 2008.  Four years later, I wouldn't be shocked if that number had jumped to 20,000+ per day in some places.  And for a mostly two-lane road, that is quite a bit of traffic.  Most major four-lane streets in Omaha see 30,000-60...
by omaja
Mon May 16, 2011 11:09 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha's Metro Transit ranked 33rd among top 100...
Replies: 11
Views: 2157

Why does this surprise either of you.... NY, DC, Boston, Chicago, San Fran, Denver, Portland....  I bet you can't name 26 more. LA, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Salt Lake City could be added to that list as well. But in reality, it's the top six: NYC, DC, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and San Franci...
by omaja
Thu May 12, 2011 4:24 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6905

I am sure this photo will make some people upset. No, it just makes local media look all the more like idiots considering there is ample parking to support any large event Omaha might consider hosting. Here's Boston right after 5: That even looks lighter than normal.  Looks like you missed one of ...
by omaja
Tue May 10, 2011 6:48 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVdsqc0NmUc[/youtube] Here's a cool video of the stretch of freeway in question.  Doesn't look like they've done much of anything to it since the 1970s except re-stripe the left shoulder to provide for a fifth general purpose lane.  No real room to expand, e...
by omaja
Tue May 10, 2011 6:36 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6905

Wow, people really are not very smart.  Even exiting to Douglas or other streets to the south would get you there faster.
by omaja
Tue May 10, 2011 10:20 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6905

Sounds a bit like the people who were bitter about Rosenblatt closing are still on a tirade to devalue the new stadium.  There is probably more parking within a five-minute walking radius of North Downtown than there is within a mile or two of Rosenblatt.  Rosenblatt was in an infinitely inferior ...
by omaja
Mon May 09, 2011 3:42 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

Icejammer, that totally proves what I am saying. Sure, the public had a negative sentiment toward losing a "privilege" that they had previously enjoyed. As the article says, the lanes were reverted because of pressure from the public and the courts (though it makes no mention of the legal...