Quote:
Originally Posted by lightrail
I still don't understand why Edmonton is abandoning the thought of expanding trains through the downtown tunnel. The original Bachtel report from 1962 (I believe) envisioned six lines all converging and running through a twin bore tunnel under downtown Edmonton. That tunnel can take a lot more traffic that the one train every 5 minutes on the current schedule.
The only reason I can see is the city wants to jump on the low floor band-wagon and can't be bother to spend the money to convert the existing system to low-floor.
I don't buy the arguement that the downtown tunnel can't handle the traffic - that makes no sense. And isn't it ironic that Edmonton started with a tunnel and is now considering building LRT on the surface, while Calgary started with LRT on the surface and is now planning to build a tunnel.
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But Calgary's system is more high floor and less inviting I think, whereas the other cities have it low floor and stuff. I think low floor integrates more with the surroundings making it more successful. I prefer the low floor, anyways. But itis a great point. I still like the idea of Edmonton having 'subway' tunnels downtown though, not many cities our size can say that. I assume both will still be used well though.
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