[Hybrid247]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Gatineau and the Downtown Loop

Although combining the tunnel and loop would be the ultimate solution, the possibility of that happening is most certainly non-existent. I would therefore change it to surface Wellington or a hybrid, underground Sparks to Bank and surface Sparks west of Bank (which I know, also never going to happen).

Mackenzie is likely the most viable route through the Market, as per the route you chose. I imagine the trams would have to share the road with cars from Rideau to the new parking entrance of the expanded Château Laurier.

I'm torn on the surface vs tunnel scenario tbh. While it would certainly be less complicated and costly to run on the surface, I can't help but be bothered by the prospect of major service interruptions caused by Parliament Hill events/protests. I know a lot of people don't think it'd be a big deal to short-turn trains at the edge of downtown in those situations, but I think it would be less than ideal, especially if/when it's a full loop.

As for the surface loop route, Mackenzie would certainly be the most ideal, but, as you mentioned, access to the chateau would be an issue. At best, they'd only be able to fit a single lane, but even that might unfeasible.

Also, on a more trivial note, can't help but think how strange and ironic it'd be for STO trams with their generic liveries running in front of Parliament while Line 1 trains with their maple leaf liveries remain completely out of sight.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

New Bank Subway and modifications to Trillium

As per OCCheetos, I would continue down Bank. The line would be elevated south of Billings Bridge and make a turn through the South Keys Mall to link with South Keys Station. The Bank Line would then take over both the Airport and Riverside South branches of the Trillium Line. Eighty meter platforms as per your proposal would surely meet the demand with proper light-metro trains.

Trillium would become a short urban line from South Keys to Bayview, with upgrades to achieve 6 or 8 minute frequencies (no double tracking of Dow's Lake tunnel or Rideau River Bridge). Based on the ridership numbers before the shut-down of 20,000 a day, I could see the line achieve 50,000 a day quite easily with the significant TOD proposed along the corridor, including the new Civic and possible redevelopment of Confederation Heights, within 2 or 3 decades. Those are Sheppard Subway ridership numbers for a fraction of the cost.

Fully agree with all of the above except for one small thing, and that's interlining the Airport spur with the Bank line. I used to favour that concept as well purely because of the direct airport-downtown connection, but now I wonder if it's really worth splitting the frequency in half for what will inevitably be a very low-use segment of the line. Ya, forcing a transfer to downtown isn't the most ideal, but it isn't that bad if it's a seamless transfer, whether at Bayview or South Keys IMO.

And who knows, with Tewin and Findlay Creek set to grow substantially, perhaps splitting the line after Leitrim to serve some of those growth areas towards the east will make more sense than a split for the airport.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Carling-Bronson

Carling as a surface tram from Lincoln Fields Station to the Booth Complex. I'm intrigued by the idea of running it up Bronson as well, which I perceive as more feasible than surface trams down traditional main streets like Bank or Elgin. If that option were to be chosen, I would terminate the line at Queen and Lyon or Sparks and Lyon for easy transfers to Confederation and the Loop.

An alternative could be to turn it south on Bronson and up the Queen Elizabeth to terminate at Laurier.

I like both the Bronson and QED ideas, but I'd lean towards Bronson for the same reason I mentioned to OCCheetos earlier. Hard for me to imagine both the NCC and the glebe-area NIMBY's letting a QED tram happen.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Montreal Road Subway

Yes, I would make it a subway. With the new three lane configuration of Montreal Road, a tram or streetcar could never get through in a timely or reliable manner. This is also one of the densest (and getting denser) corridors in the city.

I would keep the route exactly as you propose however, it would form one line with the Bank Street Subway. Urban east-end to Lansdowne and the Airport with no transfer.

You're quite right. At worst, a streetcar is completely unfeasible and, at best, it would be pretty unreliable and slow.

I would love for a subway to go down Rideau and Montreal one day. It's certainly one of the most deserving areas in the city for such infrastructure. Where I hit a bit of a mental roadblock with the Bank-Vanier subway idea is the Rideau station area. Building a tunnel and a new station under the existing Rideau station sounds like it'd be extremely complex and risky. Not sure how deep it'd have to be but I think it'd have to be considerably more deep than the existing tunnel and station, which is already pretty deep.

What do you think? Am I overblowing the potential complexity and risk of such a project?

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Kanata

I would add a Terry Fox/March/Eagleson BRT or automated vehicle loop to better serve what is Ottawa's most self sufficient community. A second such line down Palladium and Katimavik between Palladium Station and Eagleson would provide service to Kanata Town Centre and a few more high-tech offices.

Agreed. I really like the idea of an automated vehicle loop for that area. I think there are ongoing talks for exploring such a service along March and near the new DND HQ.

Thanks for your input! I thought it'd be pretty cool to make a map that reflects some of the ideas we discuss on this forum, so I appreciate the feedback. I'll make some changes to the map over the next few days based on your and OCCheetos' comments.

Cheers!