I'm estimating the cost of LRT to be about 43 million/km between UBC and Arbutus, which is roughly the cost for the TransitCity projects in Toronto. From Arbutus onwards to Granville Island, there is existing ROW, but there needs to be new tracks and new wiring obviously, but this portion can probably be built cheaper at 30 million/km. There is enough room to make a turn at Granville Island without having any tunneling. Onwards from Granville Island to Olympic Village, there only needs to be double tracking and new wiring and I wouldn't be surprised if that portion can be built for 15 million/km. From Olympic Village onwards, depending on how City of Vancouver builds First Avenue, it could be built around 35 million/km. These costs include vehicles and a new OMC built near Main Street. SkyTrain from Arbutus to GNW should be about 125 million/km, and GNW-VCC is about 75 million/km. That will mean about 400 million in savings compared to RRT option is built. And that's only assuming if the RRT option is underground throughout. It will definitely be cheaper if the portion between Blanca and UEL is at-grade. But then again, 400 million can almost build LRT throughout the Arbutus corridor.
LRTs can do 90 degree turns, but it is certainly not in the best solution for the Alma intersection.
Last edited by deasine; Apr 19, 2010 at 7:23 PM.
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