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jabbadarth t1_j6ne31o wrote

One of the signs in the photo says this is a freight project explosives, toxic cargo nuclear waste.

  1. Do they think those things aren't already on the trains that use this tunnel daily now?

  2. Would they rather those things be shipped on trucks?

  3. Fuck fear mongering idiots who throw out shit like nuclear and explosive just to scare people.

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MuffinRat84 t1_j6nh5by wrote

I ran into these people a few years ago at Druid hill park...they are mostly concerned that trains hauling oil and empty oil tankers under their houses and that the trains will be loud in their homes. I then talked to my brother who is an Engineer....they are already transporting oil and empty tankers everyday and also one would expect a new modern not 150 year tunnel would have better sound insulation than the current ones. These people's concerns are completely unfounded.

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jabbadarth t1_j6niet1 wrote

I work at UMD and years ago they were building a new dorm. The contractor had a big meeting with a bunch of different departments that may be impacted by construction. They spent a few minutes talking about the large crane that would be there for a few months mostly to let people know not to worry if it spins around as it was left unlocked inte totally while not in use to allow it to spin with the wind instead of being locked and adding stress on it. They also said that they make a point of not swinging material over existing buildings but would occasionally have to swing the unladen crane over buildings to pickup materials.

The person who ran the daycare which is next to the dorm basically told them that this was unacceptable because they had kids playing outside there and if that crane fell it would kill them.

I just thought, if that crane falls it doesn't matter if the kids are outside or inside it's crushing them all. Also would it be ok if it was just adults outside and the crane fell?

Like she was legitimately concerned about the placement of a crane because it might fall over and crush kids in daycare.

Not really sure what she thought thy would say to that. Like "shit you're right we need to cancel this project" as if cranes just fall over all the time.

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yeaughourdt t1_j6o8gcg wrote

Seems like a benefit for the daycare as kids flippin love cranes and watching construction.

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bmore t1_j6p5vuz wrote

Well also, there will be no freight in the new tunnel. These folks succeeded in opposing that so it will stay in the old, more dangerous tunnel with worse (ie no) ventilation systems that runs through the same poor communities. Big win all around /s.

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Steelersfan305 t1_j6nn7xb wrote

It's also important to note that the B&P tunnel is used mostly for passenger cars. Freight cars already go through the Howard Street Tunnel, which is also currently in the process of undergoing an expansion.

All of these concerns are based sorely in fear and because they don't understand the engineering behind it. These issues will all be heavily discussed and worked through as the project goes through design. They will install a heavy monitoring system during construction and have a number of stakeholder meetings.

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pathofwrath t1_j6of9lk wrote

The new Frederick Douglass Tunnel will only be used by passenger trains.

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