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Treasure Valley transit authorities invite public comment
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Approximately 400 Boise residents attended the High Capacity Transit Study open house last Thursday, Jan. 17. These concerned citizens came to comment and ask questions about proposed future downtown mass transit models. The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) and Valley Regional Transit (VRT) organized the open house.
The day-long event was held in downtown Boise at 213 N. 9th St., and featured aerial photos of possible locations for the proposed Multimodal Transportation Center. Maps of proposed transportation routes were posted on the walls, and open house attendees were encouraged to post their comments next to the maps.
The Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study identified four downtown Boise locations that could be suitable for the location of the Multimodal Transportation Center. This transportation center, for which $9 million in federal funds have been allocated, would take up an entire city block.
The four prospective locations are bounded by 10th and 13th streets and Front and Main streets, the general area just west of the Boise Convention Center.
“We have identified locations with minimal impact on the public,” Executive Director of Valley Regional Transit Kelli Fairless said. “In dealing with environmental issues, the hope is that they will be minimal.”
The Multimodal Transportation Center would serve as a connecting point for buses, streetcars and a regional high capacity transit passenger rail service. The center would serve western Ada County and Canyon County. Boise State is one major destination listed for passenger service out of the Multimodal Transportation Center.
Once the multimodal center is constructed, the development of a downtown transit circulator and an I-84 priority corridor route can proceed. More funds are needed to study the practicality of restoring the light rail system that served the Treasure Valley nearly 100 years ago.
Charles Trainor, director of planning for COMPASS, explained that in the early 20th century, light rail served the new communities west of Boise before the advent of the automobile.
“Trucks and cars destroyed the revenue base of the light rail operation and forced the closure of the line in 1928,” Trainor said. “Tracks from this line were still being removed from downtown streets in the 1980s. It is ironic that plans are being made to reintroduce this mode of travel, which will mean the reinstallation of these tracks.”
Historically, funding was the major stumbling block to mass transportation progress in the Treasure Valley.
Public fear of increased taxation is one fiscal roadblock to proposed mass transportation systems in the valley.
But, the high price of gas recently has forced more people to rely on the community’s current transportation system.
In spring 2008, efforts will begin in the Idaho State Legislature to pass legislation designed to alleviate funding issues.
If passed, county governments could develop local sales tax measures to raise funds for public transportation. This would put the issue of public-funded mass transportation to the voters.
Talking Points, a flier developed by COMPASS and VRT spokespersons, declares, “We will find out loud and clear what residents will and will not support – since they will be allowed to vote on whether or not to tax themselves for improvements to the transportation system."
CLAUDIO BEAGARIE
NEWS WRITER
