Excellent article, with many points I had not thought of.  Besides,we can't build our way out of congestion: that's a 20th century idea, and we're in the 21st.  More highways just beget more highway congestion, so the safety argument is bogus.  The $ 18 million should go towards more frequent public transit in the U Med District, so that we can protect this beautiful area for the health of all of us, Natives and non Natives alike.