A traffic note: all this winter, avoid Bayless Avenue where it meets I-55.
Construction of the new overpass just east of the interstate means contractors will be pouring concrete, erecting steel and otherwise messing-up an already busy intersection at least till spring.
Why the new overpass? Bicycles.
Great Rivers Greenways’ construction of a two mile link between Grant’s Trail and the River Des Peres Greenway soon enters its third year. When the segment is finished, it will also connect to the future expansion of the Mississippi River Greenway.
Please note that this segment does not utilize abandoned rail corridors or existing park land. No, this entirely new, high-cost trail cuts through industrial and residential areas and steals Missouri Department of Transportation right of way. When the overpass, tunnel, pavement and landscaping get done several million taxpayer dollars will allow the Spandex crowd to safely glide a bit more about the region.
Yes, a few people each day will enjoy the new trail segment – weather permitting.
Now, I am an ardent believer in bicycles. Back in the 1970’s I rode a bright yellow ten speed to death. I think the recent trail enhancements in Cliff Cave Park near my home are a great thing.
Bicyclists are another matter. While walking my dog in Cliff Cave Park we frequently dodge bikers unwilling to share the trail, knowing that they are morally and economically superior to mere pedestrians. (Damn it, they deserve to have every taxpayer pay for their trails so they can go as fast as they want!)
Note too the Loop Trolley. Better than $50,000,000.00 for 5,000 rides? Yes, it stroked Joe Edwards ego to have taxpayers fund a toy train running in front of his businesses. Yet, at a cost of $10,000 per rider it was a lousy tax “investment.”
Remember…
Missouri Medicaid doesn’t have the staff or technology to adequately handle their existing caseload and some vendors haven’t been paid in months.
More school districts plan to switch to four day weeks, and, some may have to lay-off teachers to keep buses running.
Oh yes, Bayless Avenue. The patched and broken pavement from I-55 west to Union barely qualifies as a road anymore. Even my four wheel drive truck gets really knocked around. Other roads about the region and state are just as bad, a few even worse.
So, in the real world basic things – health care, schools, police protection and roads, for example – suffer due to a lack of funding. Yet we have taxpayer dollars for bicycle overpasses and empty trolleys?
This is not a red or blue thing, no, this is pure common sense. Everyone pays taxes. Everyone ought to be confident that extraordinary care goes into the expenditure of each tax dollar – especially when critical needs are not being met due to a lack of dollars.
Feel free to criticize when tax dollars buy toys for the entitled. And, avoid Bayless Avenue.
Glenn