Contrasting styles of development

When I was 10 years old Cedar Rapids temporarily ended construction of Collins Road at Edgewood Road.  For years they had road detour signs with flashing lights indicating the end of the road.  Those were replaced by semi-permanent barriers and 30 years later there is still debate whether the road should continue on.

In the Emirates the road connecting my city to Dubai turns into heavy traffic the closer you get to Dubai.  It goes from three lanes on each side of the road to five.

That was not enough to handle the traffic so in the short time I've been there they broken the traffic into 3 different roads, five lanes across.  Headed to Sharjah (east) take this freeway.  Headed to Abu Dhabi (west) take this freeway.  Still bound for Dubai?  Stay on your five lanes and ride on in with less traffic.  

This came to mind as I read in The Gazette that Cedar Rapids is studying the need to expand Collins Road.  Studying the need?  Yesterday I sat through two traffic lights before I finally made it through.  There is no need to study.  Anyone who drives on Collins knows the need and it's been there for years.