Quote:
Originally Posted by haljackey
Could we raise the rails rather than dig below Richmond?
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I remember reading an article asking this a few years ago (maybe 5 or 6). The short answer is that while it is technically possible, it can't realistically happen. It would be major construction that would disrupt all current trains. There isn't enough space beside the current tracks to build a raised track at the same time as operating the current tracks. Because of this they would need to do something similar to what they are doing with the new wharncliffe bridge where they are actually building a temporary bridge beside the current one while doing the construction for the permanent new bridge.
The reason this becomes unrealistic here is because it would need to be done for a much longer distance. Since trains can't deal with quick changes in elevation they would need to at minimum build or rebuild the crossings at Richmond, St. George St, Talbot, Oxford, Thames River, and Gunn St.