Teed off
Friendly little reminder notes don't seem to work, so I may as well try this vehicle to remind some of our civic leaders and news reporters that they're missing the boat (and the train, the truck and the plane) with their latest hangup on "T" words.

Twice within the week before this writing I read or heard that our area economy traditionally has been based on "the three Ts - timber, taconite and tourism." In both cases, the reference was to Duluth's new Technology Village and the desire to add a fourth T to the equation - technology.

Lest you misunderstand, we fully support our community's effort to attract more technology-based development and, as charter members of TEAM Duluth, we have been solidly behind the effort since Day One.

But when there's such blatant ignorance of the original and enduring T factor - the T that makes everything else possible in this region - I am reminded again of how we must continually try to educate our policy-makers, the press and the public about the essentiality of transportation.

Except for the marvels of today's communication technology (and let's add education and health care to that exception), our community and our region have nearly always been and continue to be utterly and unalterably dependent on the forgotten T word.

Without efficient, competitive rail and water transportation, the iron ore extracted from taconite may just as well stay in the rock. Without our excellent rail, water and road network, the incredible array of timber products may just as well stay on the stump.

And without the harbor, the ships and the working port, would three million tourists annually visit Duluth because they love … the climate?

Most folks recognize that Duluth-Superior is the largest port on the Great Lakes and, with 40 million tons of cargo in a 10-month navigation season, is among the largest bulk cargo ports in North America. Most probably don't realize, however, that service by six(!) railroads is virtually unheard of - anywhere.

But with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Union Pacific, the Canadian Pacific (formerly known as the Soo Line), the Canadian National (formerly the Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific), the Wisconsin Central and the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range, the Port alone handles about 1,100 railcars of cargo daily (nearly 400,000 cars annually). We don't have - and can't locate - statistics for non-maritime rail traffic, but it's significant, to be sure.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Transportation estimates that, excluding local service, Interstate Highway 35 and Highways 2, 23, 53 and 61 combine to carry about 4,000 commercial trucks daily. The Blatnik Bridge alone handles about 2,200 big trucks a day, the Bong Bridge nearly 700.

Aviation has taken off, so to speak, with the incredible growth of both Cirrus Design and the Northwest Airlines Maintenance Base. Combined, they have brought more than 1,000 people to the Duluth work force in less than a decade.

Add Duluth and Superior airport traffic (including air freight) and, for good measure, the least visible cargo conveyors of all - the petroleum and gas pipelines - and it should be evident that transportation represents something infinitely more than taking the bus or driving the family car.

As an aside, we also invest a lot of public money in bike trails. A recent op-ed piece in the Duluth News-Tribune urged that we all exchange our cars for bikes, but it may be a little tricky hauling wagons of imported cement up Thompson Hill or Mesaba Avenue on a two wheeler - especially in icy conditions - so I think trucks will be around for awhile yet.

In any event, next time someone starts talking about adding another T to our "traditional" T words, you may want to suggest that Transportation has a place at the table, too. Or, if you prefer, at the T party.

Without it, you can't get there from here.