Quote:
Originally Posted by Aylmer
I disagree. Eventually, all of Gatineau's core transit lines are likely to have to pass on a single infrastructure corridor to get to and from Ottawa. A single approach - tunnel or surface - won't be enough in the long run. The loop more than doubles the capacity, service flexibility, and resiliency during interruptions.
The Portage/Wellington alignment is going ahead, and that the Alexandra Bridge is being replaced anyhow with transit-conversion in mind. What's left? A few hundred metres on Mackenzie, and another on rue Laurier. All of the most expensive/complex segments - the two bridges and Wellington - are already on the books and will get done, Loop or not.
It seems clear to me that the added benefit in long-term system benefits is well worth the marginal increased cost atop existing and necessary projects. I'll concede that the Loop doesn't need to be operational from day 1. But we'd be completely foolish to squander the opportunities in front of us to rough it in.
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Ya, I would only classify it as a vanity project if it's implemented as part of the West Gatineau tram project. But if it's done as part of an eventual conversion of the rapibus corridor to tram, that's where it'll truly provide valuable capacity and flexibility benefits, as you mentioned.
Whether they go with the Wellington or Sparks option, I think it's a must that protections be put in place to enable an eventual extension to the Alexandra bridge. I do wonder how the approach for an East Gatineau tram would work, but I picture something like this (West Tram counter-clockwise, East Tram clockwise):
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