Not really an issue but an interesting bit of news:
City to dig up historic tracks
Streetcar rails to make way for 16th Ave. revamp
By James Jeffrey, Calgary Herald April 9, 2009 3:02 AM
The railway for an electric streetcar system that began in Calgary 100 years ago is finally going to be dug up.
The city had a population of 30,0000 when the Calgary Electric Railway began with 25 kilometres of track and 12 streetcars.
The rails for the Crescent Heights line became part of the roadbed for 16th Avenue N. when it was first paved.
In the 1940s, the transit system was modernized and the streetcars were phased out, with the last regular streetcar run in 1950.
The streetcars were replaced by buses and electric trolleys, deemed to be more flexible for a growing city.
The last streetcar was restored and moved to Heritage Park, where it still operates today.
Now,
the only evidence of the Crescent Heights railway exists in the form of cracks in the road between 9th and 4th streets N. W., and 1st Street N. E. and Centre Street.
"As (the railway) gets compacted under the pavement, it creates these thin cracks," said David Danchuk, city transportation spokesman.
He said some of the 1.2 kilometres of rail will be preserved, given to Heritage Park or interested museums.
The removal is part of the city's $80-million plan to improve 16th Avenue N.,which is being widened to six lanes.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
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