[Vancouver] Canada Line | Completed [In Service] - Page 2

mr.x · #21 Posted **Apr 9, 2007, 4:53 AM**

A big boring Canada Line milestone
Apr, 08 2007 - 9:40 AM

VANCOUVER - A milestone has been reached in construction of the Canada Line.

Premier Gordon Campbell and other dignitaries were on hand as the giant tunnel boring machine broke through the ground on Granville Street near Hastings - the future site of the Canada Line Waterfront Station.
The tunnel which starts at 2nd Avenue near False Creek, is 2.5 kilometers in length and took ten months to complete.

Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan was mesmorized watching history unfold and says "it's just incredible to see it in front of my eyes" given the technology used to move such a large amount of earth.

Campbell says the project will reduce up to 14,000 tonnes of green house gas emission by the year 2020.

When the line is finished, it will take 25 minutes to get from the Airport to Vancouver.

The boring machine will now be disassembled and transported back to the 2nd avenue worksite to start a second tunnel.

An engineering Goliath helps build the Canada Line

Apr 07 2007

An engineering Goliath crossed a major north Richmond intersection this week.

The LG2, Canada Line project’s overhead crane that lays sections of guideway along concrete columns, began moving across the No. 3 Road and Sea Island Way intersection early in the week.

By Thursday afternoon, a completed guideway section hovered over the intersection, along with the massive crane.

Three-metre guideway segments are pre-cast, brought to the site by truck and lifted into place with the crane. The segments are fixed together to form a completed section.

Usual vehicle and pedestrian traffic was disrupted during the work.

The 19-kilometre, $2.05-billion rapid transit project, connecting Lulu Island with the airport and Vancouver, is scheduled to be complete by December 2009.

Deez · #22 Posted **Apr 9, 2007, 5:05 AM**

As an Ottawan still mourning the loss of the O-train, I'm indescribably jealous. However, as as Ottawan who is going to be living in Vancouver this summer, I'm really excited to see that bad boy take shape in person.

MolsonExport · #23 Posted **Apr 10, 2007, 4:23 PM**

Amazing. One of the great threads of the year.

OhioGuy · #24 Posted **Apr 10, 2007, 6:37 PM**

I just love seeing something like this coming together. How much did the Olympics have to do with this getting built? Even if it had been planned regardless of whether Vancouver won the bid to host the Games, would it be at this stage right now? Or would it still just be on the drawing board? As I imagine the Olympics actually did help get the ball rolling on the Canada line, I'm hopeful an Olympic win by Chicago will really help jump start the circle line that's been proposed here.

mr.x · #25 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 12:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioGuy

I just love seeing something like this coming together. How much did the Olympics have to do with this getting built? Even if it had been planned regardless of whether Vancouver won the bid to host the Games, would it be at this stage right now? Or would it still just be on the drawing board? As I imagine the Olympics actually did help get the ball rolling on the Canada line, I'm hopeful an Olympic win by Chicago will really help jump start the circle line that's been proposed here.

Well, a rapid transit rail line to the airport was first envisioned in the 1970s. A real proposal came up in 1991 to build and finish it by 1994, but it was cancelled. Then just before the turn of the millennium, the project was revived, approved in early 2005 and construction began a few months later.

A lot of people are calling this an Olympic project when in fact it is a "catalyst-Olympic project". It would've been built eventually with or without the Games, but the Olympics helped put the project forward ahead of many other rapid transit projects. It got the Federal Government of Canada to invest a needed $400 million into the Canada Line, $210 million towards a $800 million convention centre expansion (Olympic International Broadcast Centre & Main Press Centre), $500 million of a $3 billion plan to expand B.C.'s highways and freight rail lines with billions more to come later, as well as many other initiatives.

The Olympic Games got the ball rolling for a lot of other things as well. The replacement of aging ice rinks, community centres (new Olympic curling venue), social housing (Woodwards and the Olympic Village), and many more. And all of this Olympic construction on top of an already extremely hot housing market is driving the BC economy nowhere but up.....we have the second best economy in Canada after Alberta.

Hope you guys in Chicago get 2016......Los Angeles has had its fun in the spotlight already.....twice.

Quote:

Amazing. One of the great threads of the year.

You'll find constant updates, news, pictures, renderings, etc. of the line here in this topic until it is completed in 2009.

mr.x · #26 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 12:56 AM**

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2007

Office of the Premier - Government of British Columbia - Ministry of Transportation
CANADA LINE REACHES LANDMARK BREAKTHROUGH

VANCOUVER – Canada Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) achieved a milestone today when it broke through the ground north of Pender Street at Granville, the future site of the Canada Line Waterfront Station.

“This is an important breakthrough for us all,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “The city, the region and the province will all benefit. It shows the power of partnership in opening the Pacific Gateway while we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic growth. Compact and healthy urban development helps make public transit work and it’s estimated that this one project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14,000 tons by 2021.”

The arrival of the TBM into the Waterfront Station excavation pit signifies the completion of the first of two bored tunnels beneath downtown Vancouver. Premier Campbell noted that the work has been accomplished with no lost time injuries as he presented a certificate recognizing that achievement to Andrea Ciamei, project manager for the SLCP-SELI Joint Venture, which is building the bored tunnels.

“This tunnel breakthrough means we are one step closer to connecting Greater Vancouver’s main business districts, which will support the growth and continued prosperity of the region,” said Ed Fast, MP for Abbotsford. “Canada’s New Government is proud to be involved in Canada’s largest transportation infrastructure project, which will contribute to a healthy environment within the Greater Vancouver area.”

“Like the launch of the TBM from its starting place at Olympic Village* Station last June, the completion of the first tunnel is a milestone for the construction project,” said TransLink chair Malcolm Brodie. “Looking forward, the Canada Line will ensure a more convenient and sustainable transportation option for people in the important north-south corridor that connects Vancouver, Richmond and Vancouver International Airport.”

“The completion of this tunnel marks another milestone in a project that will change the face of transportation in the region, and provide an efficient and sustainable transportation option for airport employees and passengers,” added Airport Authority president and CEO Larry Berg. “The Canada Line will add to the status of YVR as being one of the world’s top airports.”

The TBM machine will now be disassembled and transported back to the 2nd Ave worksite near False Creek to start the second tunnel, which will be completed in the spring of 2008.

The tunnel is 2.5 km in length and has taken 10 months to complete. Approximately 10,000 pre-fabricated concrete lining segments have been used to make the tunnel walls. The tunnel is 5.3 metres in internal diameter and varies in depth between 10 and 30 metres.

The Canada Line rapid transit system will run fully separate from traffic between the transportation hub at Waterfront Centre in Vancouver, the heart of Richmond’s civic precinct, and Vancouver International Airport. With 16 stations, two bridges, over nine km of tunnel, parking and bus facilities, and transit capacity equivalent to 10 road lanes, the Canada Line will be an important new link in the regional transportation network.

The Government of Canada and the government of British Columbia, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink), and Vancouver International Airport Authority are funding the Canada Line, which is also supported by the Cities of Vancouver and Richmond. The project is overseen by Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. (CLCO), a subsidiary of TransLink. The line is being designed, built, operated, maintained and partially financed by InTransitBC.
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* Use of “Olympic Village” as a station name is subject to an acceptable license agreement being concluded between the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and TransLink and the approval of such license by the International Olympic Committee.

Wright Concept · #27 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 4:42 PM**

Wow, that is really cool on what's going on in Vancouver. What is the shortest frequency that this line will operate on, because the train platforms are very short (165' at the largest length) at least for Heavy Rail standards.

tdawg · #28 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 6:51 PM**

Vancouver will have a pretty impressive rail system once this is done.

raggedy13 · #29 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 10:32 PM**

Thanks a ton for creating this thread mr.x2. You've done a great job with it. I especially appreciate all the station design pics being posted in one place. I'm really diggin' a lot of the station designs. They might not win any international design awards but they're all pretty attractive nonetheless.

mr.x · #30 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 11:26 PM**

North Arm Fraser River Canada Line Bridge Crossing construction progress - April 2007

Main Structural Supports for YVR-Airport Station - April 2007

An older photo of the cut & cover tunnel at 33rd Avenue:

mr.x · #31 Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 11:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracticalVisionary

Wow, that is really cool on what's going on in Vancouver. What is the shortest frequency that this line will operate on, because the train platforms are very short (165' at the largest length) at least for Heavy Rail standards.

I agree, the platforms are quite short and I have to say it was a big long-term mistake.....I really doubt the capacity, even if all the platforms were expanded to 50 metres, would be enough for our region in 2025. On our existing two SkyTrain lines, we use 80 metre (262 feet) station platforms and they are all expandable to 100 metres (have not been done yet, but probably by 2020).....compare that to the 40-50 metre platforms (50 metres = 165 feet).

Regarding frequency, this is our existing SkyTrain frequency:

*sometimes, we see trains every minute or even less during peak hours on the Expo Line....that's the great thing about automated systems

Now, compare that to the planned Canada Line frequency (note that this has also been added to the first post in this topic):

INTIAL SERVICE PLAN in 2009/2010
7-day frequency (32 vehicles/16 trains required)

Early Morning
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 6 minutes
- Bridgeport to YVR: 12 minutes
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 12 minutes

Morning Peak Period
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 mins 45 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 7 mins 30 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 7 mins 30 secs

Mid-Day
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 mins 45 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 7 mins 30 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 7 mins 30 secs

Afternoon Peak Period
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 mins 45 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 7 mins 30 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 7 mins 30 secs

Evening
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 6 minutes
- Bridgeport to YVR: 12 minutes
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 12 minutes

Late Night
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 10 minutes
- Bridgeport to YVR: 20 minutes
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 20 minutes

SERVICE PLAN (will kick in when line gets busier)
7-day frequency (36 vehicles/18 trains required)

Early Morning
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 6 minutes
- Bridgeport to YVR: 12 minutes
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 12 minutes

Morning Peak Period
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 minutes 10 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 6 minutes 20 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 6 minutes 20 secs

Mid-Day
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 minutes 10 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 6 minutes 20 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 6 minutes 20 secs

Afternoon Peak Period
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 3 minutes 10 secs
- Bridgeport to YVR: 6 minutes 20 secs
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 6 minutes 20 secs

Late Night
- Waterfront to Bridgeport: 10 minutes
- Bridgeport to YVR: 20 minutes
- Bridgeport to Richmond Centre: 20 minutes

I'm sure if the public demands higher frequency (because I sure do!), the operators and Translink will give it to them.....but that means more trains and cars will need to be ordered (with the "Service Plan", 18 of the 20 trains will be in use already). The final 300-400 metres of the Richmond and YVR sections of the line will be single-tracked, due to NIMBY's along the Richmond portion of the line, so I'm not quite sure if we could have really frequent trains like SkyTrain's every minute or two.

Another way to increase capacity is to extend the platforms. Some platforms will be 50 metres in length, but those that are not are 40 metres long and are designed be expandable to 50 metres. This allows for a small 10-metre car, that will fit in between the existing two-20 metre car trains....increasing each train capacity by about 80 passengers for a total of more than 400. In addition, though I'm not quite sure if it is possible, maybe the Richmond and YVR portions can be doubletracked to allow a higher frequency.

When the Line opens in 2009, capacity will be about 8,000 passengers per hour per direction. With the service plan, it will be about 12,000 passengers er hour per direction and 15,000 when all platforms are 50 metres long with 50 metre trains.

officedweller · #32 Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 7:12 AM**

The trains are wider than MKII Skytrains, at 3.0 metres. Two car train capacity is supposed to be 360 passengers.

Single tracking at the YVR and Richmond termini was because of cost cutting, not nimbys. A proposed second section of single track in Richmond near Capstan Station was upgraded to double track because funding became available and due to operational concerns.

******************
New pics from the Canada Line website:

The elevated guideway structure being constructed under the Oak Street Bridge.

Launching Girder LG1 erecting fly over west of Bridgeport Station (this is the inbound track from YVR to Bridgeport Station, the track below is the double track to/from Richmond Centre)

Elevated Guideway under Oak Street Bridge

Guideway through Operation and Maintenance Centre

Operation and Maintenance Centre Building

North Arm Bridge Tower N1

North Arm Bridge Tower S1

Track fasteners placed on Airport at-grade Guideway

Crossover track installation on Airport Elevated Guideway

mr.x · #33 Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 7:45 AM**

Quote:

The trains are wider than MKII Skytrains, at 3.0 metres. Two car train capacity is supposed to be 360 passengers.

Single tracking at the YVR and Richmond termini was because of cost cutting, not nimbys. A proposed second section of single track in Richmond near Capstan Station was upgraded to double track because funding became available and due to operational concerns.

According to the Canada Line vehicle info sheet, the capacity is 334 passengers per train.

I recall in the newspapers that Richmond suggested/insisted that a portion of the Line in Richmond be single-tracked. Not only that but funding, as you mentioned, wasn't available anyway......and thank god they decided to single-track less of the line, it would've been a even bigger mistake.

thx for posting the pics btw.....overwhelming images.

officedweller · #34 Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 9:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x2

According to the Canada Line vehicle info sheet, the capacity is 334 passengers per train.

I recall in the newspapers that Richmond suggested/insisted that a portion of the Line in Richmond be single-tracked. Not only that but funding, as you mentioned, wasn't available anyway......and thank god they decided to single-track less of the line, it would've been a even bigger mistake.

Thanks for the capacity correction - I think I was mixing up the MKII's 260 with the 3-- figure. Definitely more than a 2-car MKII though.

I think that the single tracking may have been pitched as a "visually friendlier" version to the opponents (the City) who wanted an at-grade line, but I think that the main underlying reason would have been cost savings (ie deletion of Westminster Station). I doubt that nimbys alone could force a section to be single tracked.