[Dan in Pasadena]

To a degree, I agree with Jeff's assessment that epople lose IQ points just by driving here. My observation is that they all turn into Lemmings. HUge slow downs and backups because the road curves. Nothing wrong, no accidetn, it just curves and you can't see ahead for a full mile and people slow so the next lane slows, and pretty soon youve got THOUSANDS of cars slowing for NO reason! Idiocy. The other thing I notice is everyone seems ot think their particular destination is so muc hmore impoartant than eveyone else's.

I work for Metro's construction Division. I can tell you for certain that we had a 30 year plan supposedly already agreed to by the Fed's for their portion when I hired in 17 years ago. Oh the Fed's DID buy into it and make assurances of their funding support...then they didn't come through. The Metro Red line would already be through the Wilshire Corridor to nearly Santa Monica and what is now the Orange Line dedicated busway would be light rail. The Metro Green line would connect to LAX already and the Gold line would be to Claremont. Instead all those are currently on the drawing board.

After my current project I will be on the widening of the 405 through the Cahuenga Pass. That is costing more than the Gold Line Eastside Extension that includes 2 miles of tunnels and 6 miles of surface light rail. The 405 widening is 10 miles but thats a friggin ROAD bed. NO systems works, no communicaions or traction power. It ought to be relatively cheap but that some high priced real estate up there. And when its done it will be beyond capacity the day it opens.