Leaning toward light rail system

Mar 10, 2010 — Tampa Tribune

Jessica Balanza

Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- I walked out of a Bay Crest Civic Association meeting late last month feeling like I drank the Kool-Aid.

County Commissioner Mark Sharpe was the guest speaker, and his topic was the potential introduction of light rail in Tampa to help ease traffic congestion. The proposal hinges on taxpayer approval of a 1-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot.

I have attended other discussions about light rail where I walked out convinced it couldn't work here.

But the way Sharpe assessed our troubled system and explained how light rail would be a better option than expanding roads made sense.

"Our roads are so dangerous," he said.

I couldn't agree more. The sad part is all we have is roads. We barely have a functioning bus system.

At some point we have to do something. What Sharpe proposed was to add light rail instead of widening roads, which he hopes would result in fewer cars on the road.

Sharpe said the rails will go where it suits the community.

The kicker, of course, is I don't like the tax increase. And I really don't like it when I hear comments about what happened to the money from Community Investment Tax in the '90s, which is something residents asked Sharpe.

Much is still to be decided on how money from the penny increase would be used. Ultimately, my decision will be based on how the money will be invested.

Among the questions to be answered -- how people will transfer from buses to trains during the summer when the humidity and temperatures are sky high.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of riding the light rail system to Clearwater as opposed to navigating my way over the Courtney Campbell Causeway to work.

Send traffic and transportation information, questions or comments to Jessica Balanza at jbalanza@tampa trib.com or call (727) 451-2342. Follow Jessica on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ JessSteersClear.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0201-42733420