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Decades of research shows that expanding roads doesn’t provide lasting congestion relief. More lanes means more traffic.

We applaud Emanuel’s transportation appointments

Apr 19, 2011 | by Active Trans

We here at Active Trans are pleased with Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel’s choice of Gabe Klein as the new Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner.

While serving as Washington D.C.’s transportation director under Mayor Adrian Fenty, Klein successfully pursued cost-effective transportation strategies like a bike sharing program, protected bike lanes, and the expansion of circulator bus lines and pedestrian safety initiatives. This balanced approach for increasing mobility for all users put Washington D.C. on the cutting edge of transportation in U.S.

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Photo of Gabe Klein courtesy of Smart Planet.

During a period when Chicago needs innovative funding solutions for biking, walking and transit projects, we’re glad to see that Klein has the ability to find money for big infrastructure projects.

Active Trans also applauds Emanuel’s extension of Terry Peterson’s tenure as chairman of the Chicago Transit Board and Emanuel’s appointment of Forrest Claypool as CTA president.

Active Trans is impressed with Peterson’s track record fighting for increases in state and federal funding for needed CTA projects. Peterson’s background matches well with Claypool’s experience managing government organizations and making them run more efficiently.

And we’re excited to have all these high quality appointments happen simultaneously. We want to see these agencies excel at working together so Chicago can become an international leader in transportation that is safe and affordable for everyone.