Elevated Transit
* The Feb. 19 article concerning gas leaks in the Red Line subway tunnels is the latest in reports about problems plaguing the system. Why does the Metropolitan Transportation Authority insist on building subway tunnels under Los Angeles? The high costs, ever-present gas hazards and long construction time are just not worth it.
Instead, the MTA should be planning and building aboveground aerial systems. An aerial system uses elevated tracks supported by steel reinforced concrete columns. In an aerial system, there is no danger of poisonous or explosive gases and no problems of thin tunnels and leaking stations. When compared to a subway, an aerial system is much safer, has fewer problems, costs about half as much and could be built in two-thirds the time or less.
DENNIS A. PIERCE
Los Angeles
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