Let us not hesitate to build a new transportation system that implements light rail, bus and bike lanes as an addition to Asheville’s current transportation system. The long-term effects of implementing this infrastructure now far outweigh any doubt, hesitation or fear of cost.
Long term, a light rail could bring residents from Marshall or Canton or Waynesville — even Swannanoa — directly to Asheville. Family members could travel to church without the hassle of using a car. This would also eliminate much of the driving under the influence that already happens; citizens could easily take a system of light rail and bus to their destination.
Additionally, by building this dream now, we can preserve our precious forests and fragile ecosystems — those same forests and ecosystems that we use in our livelihood, work, homes and everyday living. We are blessed to have such a well-preserved sylvan landscape.
Unfortunately, urban sprawl will happen, has happened and will continue to happen. Nobody really wants to see it happen; it just does. But we can easily make Western North Carolina resistant to urban sprawl: Build the light-rail and bus system now so we can save our culture and heritage, and dignify the city of Asheville.
— Jesse Moore
Asheville
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There definitely needs to be a rail from downtown Asheville to Black Mountain...preferably with a stop in the vicinity of Pisgah Brewing Company. :)
By ashevillain7
03/23/2011
Marshall, population of maybe 1500? It would be cheaper to run hovercraft up the river to the old dam then bus them into town.
By Cosmic Ballroom
03/25/2011
The author is right about one thing--- building the light rail system described is a dream. We don't even have sufficient density to run a bus system that can produce revenue that is more than 25% of the costs of providing the service. At millions of $ per mile, there is exactly zero chance a light rail system will be built here during the lifetime of even the youngest reader.
By indy499
03/27/2011
I was tempted to try and hop a train into Asheville one snowy day this winter when that was the only moving vehicle between d/t Marshall and the 'big city'.
By Just Me
03/28/2011