BUILDING MASS TRANSIT AND BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS ON POWERLINE CORRIDORS

These innovative transit systems will provide an alternative to driving vehicles everywhere people need to go. They will be a less expensive, faster, and more enjoyable way to travel throughout our communities, while reducing air and water pollution and traffic congestion. Bicycle and pedestrian pathways would be constructed on both sides of the light-rail tracks. This system would be a infinately better alternative to the current and approval plans to widen the I-75 freeway by adding two lanes for 20 miles from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road. The cost to widen the freeway is estimated at $578 million or 28.9 million a mile. The light-rail systems would cost a similar $28.9 million a mile to construct on powerline corridors. There would be passenger transit stations spaced every 10-20 blocks. Solar panels will be installed on the roofs of the transit stations and on the roofs of the tram-style buses. This system will be 100% powered from renewable energy with the additional assistance of ground mounted solar panels installed near the tracks along the powerline corridors. The light-rail tram buses would hold 20-30 passengers and bicycles will be allowed to be taken on board in the rear section of the buses. There would be bridges built over major roadways so the system can operate continually regardless of traffic. Another alternative to widening the freeway for 20 miles for $578 million, would be to create 200 miles of bicycle and pedestrian pathways costing less than $3 million a mile to build. This will improve our communities immensely by reducing traffic congresstion, expanding economic development, and providing new places for our citizens and tourists to ride bikes, run, walk, and enjoy the outdoors, which will increase the health and quality of life of everyone living and visiting Southwest Florida.