If they're putting some of the MAX lines underground downtown, it seems like they might as well put all of them underground. Cheaper in the long run, and would make transfers, etc. easier.
I'd hope that if they do build a subway they leave the current tracks where they are, and run the Streetcar on them - not sure if it would be expensive to change the MAX infrastructure to allow the streetcar, but since they share the Tilikum now, I figure it can't be that hard. Streetcar lines running on the current MAX tracks from Goose Hollow to Lloyd Center, and a circulator incorporating the transit mall MAX tracks would be nice additions to streetcar coverage. MAX would be underground and fast in the central city, with the streetcar on the surface making more frequent stops - seems like a nice separation of service.
I also agree that train length could be one of the biggest benefits of a downtown subway. Not only with consolidated stations, but allowing MAX trains to be 3 or 4 cars long would significantly increase capacity across the entire system.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cityscapes
If Portland were a Chinese city all the MAX lines would be underground and trains would run at less than five minute headways.
I think the subway tunnel is a great idea but I've got a few thoughts / questions:
1. It would probably have to start going underground well before the river. I'd assume a good place to insert a TBM would be somewhere around Sullivan's Gulch with the first underground station being Lloyd Center NE 11th.
2. Since the tunnel would get rid of the block size related constraints on train length I'm guessing many of the existing stations could be consolidated into larger stations.
3. Would the Yellow / Orange / Green lines stay on the transit mall?
I feel like it would be money well spent to build the tunnel in general, but tunnel spurs to bring in the these lines could make costs escalate quickly.
4. If the SW corridor line planning process didn't eliminate the tunnel under OHSU they could have ran the Green line through the downtown tunnel too, hopefully someone planning this line makes that connection. If the Green Line enters the tunnel like the rest of the lines along I-84 where would there be a tunnel exit in the middle of downtown in order to get it to the at grade segment that is yet to be determined?
Even though Portland had light rail first, I feel like we could learn a few things from Seattle's Link projects. I feel like they accepted that the terrain in the PNW makes for very inefficient at grade light rail alignments and spent the money to elevate or tunnel where needed.
Unrelated to the tunnel: The map shows a red line extension to Hillsboro. Would this be in addition to the blue line service or would the blue line terminate at Beaverton Transit Center? I've heard conflicting info on this.
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