I was just thinking about this a bit. I think it would be better if the central corridor LRT was put underground for major portions of its route. Of course it would be above ground over the river and along more residential areas, but wouldn't it serve better in the long run to have run underground near the downtown areas/University?
It would certainly be able to travel faster thanks to uninterrupted track and lack of pedestrians/cars... say up to 55mph. This would increase efficiency greatly and provide for more connectibility to future lines (into St. Paul neighborhoods, for example).
I just don't understand the anemic plans for public transit. The 30 year plans include only 2 commuter rail routes and 3-4 LRT lines with a major focus on bus transportation. WHo knows what the state of buses and transit will be like in 30 years.. not to mention that 30 years is a very long time to spend on menial things like a few LRT lines. The 30 year plan should include major expansions to the transit system so that in 30 years one can travel in any direction out of the city on rail of some kind.
Call it nostalgia or just a more efficient, practical way of getting people where htey need to go.. BRT is only effective along freeway corridors, and not everyone lives next to a freeway.