A Missed Connection

In the aftermath of the Warped Tour last month, we spent some time talking about a connector to downtown from Route 2. The Sentinel joins the conversation yesterday, with a story full of local and statewide officials saying they like the idea.

I like the idea of everyone in Fitchburg receiving $1 million. I'm not sure which idea would get more "support" from officials.

The point is, it's easy to say you support something, it's another thing to pony up some political capital and energy to make it happen. From the story, it doesn't seem like anyone is really that gung-ho, despite their support.

It is, no matter how you look at it, a massive political undertaking. Figure out how to wind a highway from Route 2 to downtown, handle all the landtakings, and oh yeah, find someone to pay for it. It is a monumental task.

This would possibly happen in two ways: Someone with a lot of political power makes this their top priority, and works on it day and night, swapping favors and influence and slowing making it happen. Or, a slew of officials at every level makes it their top priority, sending the message to Boston and D.C. that this is all the city cares about.

The first option isn't really likely, because the city is a little light on political bigwigs on the state level. The second probably shouldn't happen, because the city has a lot of other priorities that need tending to and can't be left sitting on the side of the road for a connector.

An interesting part of the story is the Romney administration's belief that the Route 12 expansion will cure all the ills. Will it? We won't know until 2008, but if they're right, the connector discussion become even more insignificant. Perhaps even more interesting is the comments from Rappaport Institute jefe (and good guy) David Luberoff, who basically says downtown needs to offer something at the end of the road, or why take the road?

Simply, there are a lot of challenges facing a Route 2 connector, and none of them get toppled until someone, or a group of someones, takes on the challenge with unflagging energy and determination. Based on the lukewarm support that seems to follow this idea around, it's pretty safe to assume this thing isn't happening.

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CALENDAR ALERT: Yeah, yeah, despite the rain, it's still summer. You want to hit the lake, plan the big Labor Day BBQ and all that. But holy cow, the big Save Fitchburg/"Politically Speaking"/FATV/WEIM state rep debate is just 10 days away. Where does the time go? More importantly, the window is closing on your opportunity to send in a question to ask the candidates. They may all knock on your door in the next three weeks, but they won't be talking to you all at once, so this is your chance. Send your question here and we'll consider asking it.