The Observer, December 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland transportation still insufficient
A common characteristic found in most large, thriving cities is a quality public transportation system. Chicago's "El," New York's subway system, and Boston's "T" project provide a convenient means to transport people to their respective city's most important locations.
Unfortunately, Cleveland has always lacked a transportation system of this magnitude. RTA's rail system does not run close enough to the main streets or destinations on the east side of town for it to make a significant difference. Meanwhile, traffic on streets such as Carnegie, Euclid, and Chester continue to clog with a high volume of cars and RTA buses as people struggle to travel between downtown and University Circle on confusing and poorly maintained roads.
This year, work began on the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project near the Case campus. According to the project's website, the final project will include exclusive bus lanes, one lane in each direction for auto traffic, and elimination of on-street parking and relocation of loading zones where possible, among other things.
This does not appear to be a logical solution to the problem, however. Reducing car traffic to one lane each way on Euclid is a recipe for disaster. Furthermore, RTA already offers bus transportation along Euclid. It is unreasonable to believe that bus use will increase exponentially with the project's implementation to reduce car traffic on Euclid to a level appropriate for one lane going each direction.
In the meantime, the city's current solution in the Euclid Corridor project is not an adequate solution to what is a serious problem. Until one is found, Cleveland will lag behind more prosperous rival cities.
