Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Amy_Ponder t1_iu0q9b6 wrote

Reply to comment by wolfiewu in New protected parking on Cambridge St? by wegry

Amen to that. I don't understand how we can be one of the wealthiest states in the country and still suck at public infrastructure projects so badly. It's not lack of funding, it's not lack of willpower, so what's going wrong?

12

wolfiewu t1_iu0s7ge wrote

It's 100% lack of willpower. Any time a new initiative or project comes up, neighborhood associations or stores whine and the politicians get meek and fold.

12

seriousnotshirley t1_iu20y39 wrote

Because they remember how bad the ideas got in the mid 20th century. They were going to cut right through Cambridge and anywhere else they wanted. If the plans back then hadn’t been so awful and pushed through by egos it wouldn’t be so bad but it was awful so we’ve swung so far the other way to making every little town and neighborhood have veto over anything.

3

Virtual_Natural1642 t1_iu2b77r wrote

Maybe because very soon smart cars / smart dust enabled architecture / biometric surveillance is going to change the landscape so they figure why spend all of this money now just to rip it up in 10 years?

0

Macbookaroniandchez t1_iu18vb2 wrote

the ones that make this state so wealthy are not where bike infrastructure is needed or desired.

−5

artificial_osler t1_iu2049j wrote

Ah yes all the tech, biotech, business, healthcare, research, and entrepreneurial activity throughout Central Boston and Cambridge are definitely not the source of most the states wealth...

/s

4

Macbookaroniandchez t1_iu2618h wrote

...and then they return home to their homes with quiet, low traffic streets in places like Canton, Newton, and West Cambridge. Again, they aren't impacted by the problems caused by poor public infrastructure. Thus, they aren't as motivated to ring up their representative and demand something get done.

0

Anustart15 t1_iu47srh wrote

Half the C suite at my company bike commute from their wealthy suburbs. The bike ride from Arlington/west Cambridge/Belmont/Winchester to Kendall is pretty manageable with the halfway decent infrastructure we have up here.

1