City engineer Ryan Leland joined me on the show this week to discuss the processes and challenges of guiding Helena's transit growth, both in the immediate and long term future. We discussed how the city's' main modes of transportation had changed throughout the years, and is starting to come full circle with a growing emphasis on non-motorized and public transit options. For example, in the early 20th century, Helena actually had a trolly system! Given that most people didn't have personal transit, this made sense. Over the years though, with the advent of the automobile and the growth of the highways, people turned to personal vehicles. It has taken us almost a century to realize that this option is in the long term far more expensive and unsustainable than public or non-motorized transit, and our transit trends are beginning to again accommodate more to the cyclist, pedestrian, and bus rider.
We also discussed what it takes to maintain roads and sidewalks in this type of climate. It turns out that the thawing and freezing of water does a great deal more damage to roads than cars do. As water seeps into the cracks and pores of the pavement surface and then freezes, it tears apart the binding of the pavement, exacerbating potholes, ruts, cracks and other weaknesses in the street. The materials sciences behind street construction have come a long way even since 2000, but the city is still challenged to maintain the roads, which have been budgeted to be replaced every 100 years. That's tough.
Finally, we touched on the concept of connectivity and how to engineer a street that is inclusive of all its users. This means installing ADA friendly ramps and crosswalks, bike lanes, roundabouts, and a host of other features that subtly direct the flow of traffic and make the street a safer place for all users. For a few examples, take a look at the bulb-outs by Carroll College while driving down Benton or take a look at the walking mall's crosswalk on Broadway!
Playlist:
Peter Wolf Crier - Hard as Nails
Bowerbirds - In Our Talons
Foals - Miami
Delta Spirit - Trashcan
Dawes - When My Time Comes
Future Islands - Swept Inside
Built to Spill - Happiness
Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains
Modest Mouse - Gravity Rides Everything
