Olympia to study widening Harrison Ave.

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Olympia to study widening Harrison Ave.

Submitted by Rick on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 9:31am.

The city has to choose between two proposals, a shorter study that would get things started sooner, and a longer study that would include more public input. From The Olympian:

Under both options on the table, an independent consultant would study the corridor's needs based on traffic counts and growth. The study would also take into account the possibility of a new Highway 101 interchange.

The difference between the two options boils down to the number of public workshops, how soon the city can apply for state grants, and the cost. The first option calls for one round of interviews with neighborhoods, merchants and other parties, and one public workshop to get feedback on the corridor analysis. Findings would come in June so the city can seek a grant by the state's August deadline.

The second option includes up to four public meetings as part of a more extensive public process, similar to what's being used to study Boulevard Road and Capitol Way. It would not be complete until December, meaning the city must wait until 2007 to seek grants.

Can we please take our time and do it right?

Rick's blog
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I think the road should be na

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:32am.

I think the road should be narrowed and a toll booth set up. Bicycles would be exempt from paying a toll of course.

Oh yeah, and cars need to regulated for emissions. Being blasted by automobile exhaust can really be bothersome - this effect is especially noticeable on the hill.

Why should the taxpayer foot

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 12:07pm.

Why should the taxpayer foot the bill for the construction and then be hit with a toll to use what they paid for?

Bicycles exempt? They're using the road, too.

Bicycles are extremely low im

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 12:30pm.

Bicycles are extremely low impact vehicles compared to cars. That is why car users necessitate an additional excise tax (in the form of a toll for road use.) Bicyclists more than make up for their road use costs in regular taxes.

There should also be additional emissions taxes, for high emission vehicles.

Rob W: Bicycles are extremely

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 12:34pm.

Rob W: Bicycles are extremely low impact vehicles compared to cars.

The Fire: So what would be wrong with charging them accordingly, then? Since they impact the road less they could pay less, similar to the federal income tax.

Why should there be an emissions tax?

What's funny is that the vast majority of new cars wouldn't be paying a whole lot. It's the beaters who would end up paying heavily, which raises the question: Do you favor the rich over the poor?

Thank you for the good laugh!

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 1:38pm.

Thank you for the good laugh!

First off, I already addressed why the bicyclist would pay no toll. It is because his or her road use expense is already accounted for in ordinary property and sales taxes. The car and truck, which have significantly higher destructive impact on the actual roads themselves, necessitate compensation for said impact - in the form of a toll.

Old cars would be exempt, and granted a grandfathered status regarding emissions tax. Only the new oversized trucks, SUV's and luxury muscle sedans would bear the burden of an emissions tax.

Rob, you have an excuse for j

Submitted by FPK1 on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 2:52pm.

Rob, you have an excuse for just about everything. Base the EMISSIONS tax not on the EMISSIONS of the car but rather on how much the car costs. That's called a luxury which is already done to the cars you want to tax again. Do you really give any thought to what you believe or just want to tax the working guy to death. I know you want a state income tax too I'm sure. If you just want to redistribute the country's wealth, you need to just say so.

no, you have a very selective

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 6:58pm.

no, you have a very selective listening process. I said, base the emissions tax on emissions - or else on MPG - oversized trucks, SUVs and muscle cars will pay the price - as they should.

No selective listening here.

Submitted by FPK1 on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 7:27pm.

No selective listening here. If you want to base it on emissions go after the cars that pollute the most, the older cars. You want to tax a 405hp 2005 Corvette that gets 20 plus mpg on the hwy. with emissions that are very low, while a 1983 Volvo beater that hasn't had a tune-up in decades and couldn't pass the emissions laws 20 yrs. ago gets a break. This is not an emission tax, it's a tax on luxury items. Rob you make no sense.

You call it an excuse. I cal

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:29pm.

You call it an excuse. I call it a highly reasonable, albeit impassioned, response. Go figure!

Rob W: The car and truck, whi

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Wed, 11/23/2005 - 12:40pm.

Rob W: The car and truck, which have significantly higher destructive impact on the actual roads themselves

The Fire: But aren't roadways designed FOR cars and trucks? It would seem to me that since the road is designed for the everyday use of cars and trucks, the wear and tear from these vehicles is already accounted for.

Rob W: Only the new oversized trucks, SUV's and luxury muscle sedans would bear the burden of an emissions tax.

The Fire: It's already been covered but, this wouldn't be an emissions tax. An emissions tax would be based on a set emissions standard and those vehicles not meeting the standard would be taxed.

Besides, you WANT to encourage people to purchase new vehicles, not discourage. I'm sure you're aware that Honda is now putting their Hybrid technology into all of their new vehicles. I'm fairly certain that, in the near future, all of the major automobile companies will follow suit.

Rob W. FPK1 is right, your lo

Submitted by OlyCop on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 8:28pm.

Rob W. FPK1 is right, your logic is flawed.

Well, I tend to disagree with

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:16pm.

Well, I tend to disagree with ye, fellers. No offense intended. I was just positing some ideas for discussion, surely there is room for sensible improvements to be made all around! Thanks for the opinion though. Does a whole heckuva lot for me character! : )

Mainly, my concern is as a cy

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:27pm.

Mainly, my concern is as a cyclist, being molested by automobile exhaust is an affront; to my experience as a citizen, and to my enjoyment of the public thorougfares.

Rob, I can understand that po

Submitted by FPK1 on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:34pm.

Rob, I can understand that position you take about car exhaust and your ability to cycle. Just hit everyone FAIRLY on the tax issue and I'm good with that. It rains too much up here and you'll never get people to give up their cars. It didn't work in Cal. and it's sunny there all the time. If it was like that up here I too would ride a bike to work.

Oh yea, don't worry about off

Submitted by FPK1 on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 10:37pm.

Oh yea, don't worry about offending me, I am strong in my beliefs and am willing to support them. You may not agree with me at times, but I will not leave you wondering what I think on issues.

Well, you could certainly use

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Wed, 11/23/2005 - 3:28pm.

Well, you could certainly use the bicycle and ride on days when it is not raining, and dry! - like today.

Although getting in shape can be painful and even somewhat of an ordeal; believe me, it is worth it. I have so much more energy now that I get decent cardiovascular - aerobic exercise - pretty much every day. Think about what you'll save in fuel costs. And I am sure the insurance company will appreciate it too.

I stay in somewhat good shape

Submitted by FPK1 on Wed, 11/23/2005 - 3:45pm.

I stay in somewhat good shape, it's the getting cold that I hate.

Well in all actuality FPK1, r

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Wed, 11/23/2005 - 7:08pm.

Well in all actuality FPK1, riding the bike keeps me warm. If it's above freezing, I stay completely toasty, if it's below 32º F, then my hands and face get cold. But that's only if I am riding fast (because of the wind.) If I slow down, it's not a problem at all, and I stay warm, even if I am not peddling strenuously. And of course my hands warm up very quickly once I stop because my circulatory system is active and my blood pump is happy happy.

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