Worth looking into?

This hypothetical rail system shows the mentioned rail lines in red, the stops in black and suggests the potential for some future growth as indicated in yellow. Click here for an enlarged map.

Would a mass transit rail system benefit the Bay area?

Before you answer that question, let us examine a few hypothetical scenarios.

The U.S 19 Line

Imagine a raised railway above U.S. 19. Running from the northern portion of Pasco County to south St. Pete, this train would have several major stops. Each stop would feature ample parking, restrooms, eateries, coffee shops and news stands. One stop near U.S. 19 and Gulf to Bay would feature secondary routes. One route would head west into downtown Clearwater; the other would cross the Courtney Campbell Causeway and go to Tampa International Airport. Another stop at Central Avenue would head east to downtown St. Pete and west all the way to Treasure Island Beach.

Would you use this as a means of commuting to St. Pete or Clearwater from the north or south?

Would you use this to commute from south St. Pete or northern Pinellas County or Pasco County to go to Tampa International Airport or downtown Clearwater?

Would you use this line to go to Treasure Island Beach on weekends?

Does each destination mentioned above have the infrastructure, trolleys, buses, taxis and other means of getting to your final destination, or would such a line help create this infrastructure, thus creating jobs?

Does our unforgiving rain and heat make it undesirable for one to arrive at any of the above-mentioned destinations only to have to walk several blocks or more to get to get to their final destination?

Would the loud noise of the trains, the lack of developmental land in Pinellas County or the changing look of our landscaping make this hypothetical scenario undesirable?

Or, would such a line decrease traffic along U.S. 19 and Gulf to Bay?

Such a line would certainly change the landscape, create noise and yes, I am aware that it would create an engineering nightmare. However, would it offer our seasonal guests a way to get around without affecting our local traffic; would it allow college students, low-income residents and senior citizens a way to be more mobile, thus allowing them to expand their horizons?

The North-South Express (This scenario is much more conceivable, yet I still propose this as hypothetical.)

Imagine a raised high-speed rail line running from Highway 54 over 275 and all the way to downtown Tampa. Another leg would go from Highway 54 down I-75 with a major junction stop at the fairgrounds, also serving the Amphitheater and casino. Another leg would run from the Amphitheater junction to Ybor City and the Chanelside district then to the downtown Tampa station. The existing trolleys could then allow mobility between the cruise ports, Chanelside and Ybor.

Would such a line ease morning traffic during the peak season?

Would this be a feasible commuter option or just a novel way to see a show, go to dinner or the theater or visit downtown or Chanelside?

Would such a line be a fun way to enjoy the many mentioned destinations and cut back on drivers who may have been drinking?

Would such a line be a great way to visit the fair Grounds with its many great events, or the Amphitheater or the casino?

Would such a line reduce traffic during events at the fairgrounds or the Amphitheater?

I believe this would be a very nice addition to our transportation infrastructure. I do not believe that it would be a perfect commuter choice, as our area is just not in such a mindset. I do believe it would be a great way to visit the many destinations mentioned above. It may even encourage more people to visit the many destinations mentioned above, especially Ybor and Channelside.

The Bay Area Transit System

Let's go a bit further now. What if the I-75 line had a stop at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and a leg that extended eastward through New Tampa to the Pasco County line. And what if this connection went southwest to Bearss to service USF, then went further west along Bearss all the way to the Veterans Expressway. Include a north-south route along Dale Mabry from MacDill Air Force Base to U.S 41 in Pasco County, an east-west route from Dale Mabry along 580 all the way to U.S 19 and now you have one major raised rail line.

How would this affect our traffic, our commerce, our mobility, our tourist industry, our roadways during major events at venues along the routes, our landscape and our level of noise and inconvenience or our level of increased convenience?

Would you use such a system?

Would it create jobs or would it be just another taxpayer nightmare of bureaucracy and construction nightmares?

Would the end justify the means?

You decide. What are your thoughts on this?

Have a great day, Russ Handler




Post a comment
about this story
E-mail story link