Michael Morris, the transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, is the latest to write an opinion piece about the Trinity toll road for the Morning News. He has previously written or said most of what the piece contains. It mostly notable because he is hitting the “OH MY GOD WHAT ABOUT FLOODS??!1?” part much harder than before.
First paragraph: “Three items about the Trinity Parkway project are critical to remember. First, it is part of the Balanced Vision Plan that has five parts — not four. Second, we are planning for the next 25-plus years, and the region has added, and will continue to add, 1 million people per decade. And third, the most critical benefit of the Trinity Parkway is flood protection.”
Second paragraph: “Eliminating transportation from the corridor would ignore demographic change and eliminate flood protection benefits, and therefore it would be a mistake.”
Third paragraph: “The Trinity Parkway project is a component of the Balanced Vision Plan that includes improvements for flood protection, recreation, environmental restoration, economic development and mobility. The roadway also is an important element that complements and enhances all other components.”
In other words: “Hm, now that everyone is aware of the fact that this road is completely unnecessary — and actually probably pretty harmful — as far as reducing congestion goes, maybe we need it because of flood protection? How does that sound?” Kind of like they’re making it up as they go along.
The rest of Morris’ piece is a master class in throwing out scary numbers with no sourcing and hoping those scary numbers scare you sufficiently. Anyway, while I’m here, I’d like to break down one other sentence.
“The proposed roadway placement enhances the eastern-northern levee, provides funding for park access, reduces congestion, increases reliability, provides funding for a signature pedestrian overlook and enhances accessibility for economic development opportunities in and surrounding downtown Dallas.” Let’s take it slow on this.
The proposed roadway placement enhances the eastern-northern levee,
Don’t need to build a road to do that, but okay.
provides funding for park access,
This could mean almost anything, but I assume it has to do with parking lots? If not, you’re only talking about funding for access roads off a toll road, which, again, does not have to be there.
reduces congestion,
NOPE. Next.
increases reliability,
“Increases reliability” of the road, I take it? Great, so you didn’t decide to put in a place where it will completely fail. Awesome. I mean, except for it being in a floodway. But other than that, congratulations on doing the bare minimum of your job.
provides funding for a signature pedestrian overlook
I move that we now and forever eliminate “signature” from our vocabulary. We do not need any more “signature” anythings. And a “signature” pedestrian overlook? Congratulations on doing your best to be Milwaukee.
and enhances accessibility for economic development opportunities in and surrounding downtown Dallas.
We have enough roads going into downtown Dallas. And this will hurt very close to all of them. Plus, this is a nonsense, non-specific phrase that sounds great at the end of that sentence, but means very little.
