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Motor vehicle travel provides many benefits, but also imposes large costs on users and communities. With better planning people can drive less, rely more on non-auto modes, enjoy more access, and be better off overall as a result.
A recent Planetizen blog claims that news media exaggerate the problems caused by induced vehicle travel. I disagree. A growing body of research indicates that most highway expansions are economically wasteful and contradict community goals.
No one can dispute that parts of Interstate 81 are badly congested, so there inherently is broad support for expanding the highway.
Both the public and policymakers have trouble understanding why building more roads and highways does not reduce congestion.
However, when it comes to vaccinations, Androscoggin County is behind most of Maine, state data shows. On Thursday the state’s webpage showed that as of March 10, statewide, 21.8% of Mainers have received their first dose, while in Androscoggin County it was 16.3%, the second lowest of Maine’s 16 counties. The counties with the highest percent for first doses are Lincoln at 27% and Cumberland at 24.5%. The lowest was Somerset County at 15.2%. Franklin County stood at 18% and Oxford County at 18.2%. During the twice-weekly news briefing Thursday, Shah was asked why the vaccination rates ...