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Christof Spieler

@christofspieler.bsky.social

1.5K followers 200 following 8.8K posts

Director of Transportation, Madison, WI; Author of “Trains, Buses, People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit,” Island Press, 2021. (he/him) PE/AICP/LEED AP

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 8h

And subsurface disruption since it has to go under the existing light rail tunnel.

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 2d

In a triumph of good transit planning, Rochester's 203 Heintz comes in only one variety (and runs clockface schedules!)

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 2d

In Rochester, MN, more butts equal more flights.

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 2d

At La Crosse, WI, the CPKC Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin Cities line crosses the BNSF Chicago-Twin Cities line.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 5d

Your friendly neighborhood bus. (The C on Willy Street.)

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

Yeah — this is not an exhaustive list.

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

I heard but haven’t seen pictures. That’s really early for bike lanes!

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

Not BRT — local bus, and it’s been there in some form for 20+ years. I don’t know the history, but it may have been designed as a way to reduce traffic on a residential street while keeping the bus route, which was once a streetcar.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

That one’s really cool. I had more to say on that one than I had time to post.

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

maps.app.goo.gl/Ca5J3Cfn1GsC...

maps.app.goo.gl

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 7d

There's one on my bike commute in Madison! Turns a street into a cul-de-sac for cars but a through street for buses and bikes.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 8d

I think the Rhaetian Railway still runs mixed trains (using EMUs!)

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 10d

The D2 heads down the Isthmus towards the airport. Not much traffic to deal with at this time of day...

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 11d

A two track station would have been enough for the Crescent and a new train to Dallas; a four track station could have handled that plus regional service. The regional service could have continued to Downtown. And MARTA would have been one platform over for connections to downtown and the airport.

Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 11d

Sunset on Lake Mendota.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 11d

Not building a new Amtrak station at Lindbergh was a huge lost opportunity.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 11d

Plus the northwest Red Line in the late 70s and early 80s, which served a decent amount of existing density within the District.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 13d

And a place that takes traffic laws seriously (rather than thinking of them as loose suggestions) is going to be a much better place to bike.

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 13d

When you look at the coverage that major Japanese subway systems get you can see how buses become an afterthought (but also a lost opportunity.)

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Christof Spieler @christofspieler.bsky.social · 13d

I love this post, and it's a good reminder that when we call a place a transit paradise the reality is usually that they're great at some things but not at others. So we need to be specific about what we emulate for where.