Millennium Line - Evergreen Extension | Completed

[cabotp]

^ I'd also add

Not following what the road signs say. I've seen so many times where someone will drive straight through in a curb lane that says no right turn execpt for buses. Or times where you can't not turn left at all or during certain times and they turn left.

Of course my answer to the left turners is to come up behind them and just lay on the horn and never let go and start yelling at them to get there piece of crap car moving. The best one was was this young girl who freaked out, went straight through and then cut off two lanes to make an immediate right.

I do believe that a lot of people should not be driving because they are actually scared behind the wheel.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Vancouver drivers do not know how to merge (they often stop), they do not know how to do the zipper effect, they have no sense of slow lane vs. passing lane, often leave huge gaps between cars when waiting at a red light (causing traffic to back up far behind them than it should), drive to slow when the conditions are clear and to fast when they are bad (such as slush and snow), drive to fast in school zones and other residential zones and to slow on highways and freeways (actually there is a joke about Vancouver drivers, that they only know 2 speeds, 50km an hour and 60km an hour), and many (and i stress many) people in this city no longer use their signals!!!!!!!

That sums it up pretty well. Merging is a huge problem in Vancouver and often causes backups. I've had countless occasions driving out from Russ Baker Way onto the Arthur Liang, and people would slow down to almost at rest when there are no cars up ahead. Another problematic spot is the Knight Street Bridge from Bridgeport onto the Knight. Yes, there are tight merging lanes, but if you stop, there's almost no way you can merge in. You've also caused many others to stop behind you.

People don't stop at stop signs when they are supposed to. I can understand rolling stops for small side streets when it is safe to do so, and I do that as well, but you have to stop when you are turning onto a large artery. People don't do so, turn onto the large street, and make you stop to avoid a collision. And if you honk the guy, they will start fingering back thinking they are correct.

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by deasine

That sums it up pretty well. Merging is a huge problem in Vancouver and often causes backups. I've had countless occasions driving out from Russ Baker Way onto the Arthur Liang, and people would slow down to almost at rest when there are no cars up ahead. Another problematic spot is the Knight Street Bridge from Bridgeport onto the Knight. Yes, there are tight merging lanes, but if you stop, there's almost no way you can merge in. You've also caused many others to stop behind you.

True enough... but half the battle is knowing that someone WILL let you in. Lots of "aggressive drivers" here. Some of them because they come from countries where you have to be aggressive. Merging works well when both parties are yielding.

The whole passing lane thing annoy me, but it's really a lack of education and a lack of enforcement that causes it. IN addition, congestion turns a passing lane into a general traffic lane. Basically none of the freeways in Vancouver have "reasonable" times that are freely flowing. The #1 is near or at capacity most hours of the day. The HOV has become a passing lane for many SOVs. They use it to pass, but don't want a ticket so don't travel in that lane. Of course, that only works when you don't have a "civilian speed limit enforcers" moseying along at 80kph.

[mooks28]

Look: http://www.evergreenline.gov.bc.ca/documents/Design/DiscussionGuide_final3.pdf

I think this went online today for comments.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Vancouver drivers do not know how to merge (they often stop), they do not know how to do the zipper effect, they have no sense of slow lane vs. passing lane, often leave huge gaps between cars when waiting at a red light (causing traffic to back up far behind them than it should), drive to slow when the conditions are clear and to fast when they are bad (such as slush and snow), drive to fast in school zones and other residential zones and to slow on highways and freeways (actually there is a joke about Vancouver drivers, that they only know 2 speeds, 50km an hour and 60km an hour), and many (and i stress many) people in this city no longer use their signals!!!!!!!

I've driven extensively around North America and agree with you. This is a great summation of what is "wrong" with drivers in the lower mainland. The signaling thing pisses me off a lot.

I like to sum it up as: people here think they are the only person on the road, and drive accordingly. No regard for basic rules, courtesy, etc.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

True enough... but half the battle is knowing that someone WILL let you in. Lots of "aggressive drivers" here. Some of them because they come from countries where you have to be aggressive. Merging works well when both parties are yielding.

What? No it doesn't. IMHO, the person already on the freeway or whatever should maintain their speed. If they want to move out of the lane, that's great courtesy, but not required (and not always possible in traffic). It is the merging driver's responsibility to slow down or speed up to fit themselves in.

Being somewhat cautious, I usually take the slow down approach. When the driver already in the lane begins to slow down, I start to get angry.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by mooks28

Look: http://www.evergreenline.gov.bc.ca/documents/Design/DiscussionGuide_final3.pdf

I think this went online today for comments.

I'll be a happy camper if "4 year construction" starts in late 2010 as indicated.

What are the speculated possible 2 additional stations? That report is very vague on them. What kind of work has to be done during construction to allow for stations to be added later, is it a big deal or no?

[Zassk]

Originally Posted by vansky

viaduct, they could've built sth like a two layer viaduct, train on top, car below.

if u want to just go through richmond quick, u can go on a viaduct...

Er.. if you're trying to get through Richmond quick, then No. 3 Road is not where you'll be.

Richmond already has its 'viaduct' in that area... it's one major block over... it's called Garden City Road, it has extra-wide lanes and a median and limited intersections, and it's nowhere close to capacity.

Anyway.. back to the Evergreen Line... (goes off to read the latest PDF)

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by mooks28

Look: http://www.evergreenline.gov.bc.ca/documents/Design/DiscussionGuide_final3.pdf

I think this went online today for comments.

Thanks for posting.

This render differs from the PMC Line "basket weave" where the the tracks from Coquitlam switched sides to bring the inbound track into the middle platform, as posted by Steelwheels some time ago. Hopefully they haven't eliminated that configuration and this is just an uninformed artist's render.



Up North Road the guideway is in the median - this eliminates the possibility of a Cameron Station (unless it is at a very very high elevation (like at Brentwood) to allow a mezzanine below).



Burquitlam station is at the side of the road which, like the Richmond Canada Line Stations, allows for a lower guideway elevation and smaller station massing. However, I would have preferred to see a portal station in trench at this location.





Passes under Barnet Highway hidden from view.



Allows for Murray Clark Connector to cross above the tracks:





Elevated to cross to the north side of the CP tracks west of Ioco Station:





As mentioned by others before, Coquitlam Central Station will allow a future extension to Port Coquitlam:



Heading up the west side of Pinetree Way - no "bents" (post and lintel supports) shown, so the guideway may look decent.
I can imagine a future Lincoln Station in the foreground of this shot:

[Zassk]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks for posting.

This render differs from the PMC Line "basket weave" where the the tracks from Coquitlam switched sides to bring the inbound track into the middle platform, as posted by Steelwheels some time ago. Hopefully they haven't eliminated that configuration and this is just an uninformed artist's render.

The same basketweave can also be accomplished with switches rather than flyovers, correct? That was my interpretation of the drawing.

[officedweller]

Compare the current Lougheed / North Road guideway configuration with PMC Line configuration posted by Steelwheels
which allowed westbound Coqiutlam trains to move to the current westbound platform ("Vancouver Platform")
(while eastbound trains would use the new platform to the north - the basket weave allowed those trains to get to
the right hand side of the guideway. The "new" configuration could mean different platform assignments at Lougheed Station.

Originally Posted by STEELWHEELS

Image from Rapid Transit Project 2000

The unfinished north platform was always referred to as
the "Coquitlam platform". One would assume it would be
for trains bound for Port Moody/Coquitlam. At least this
was how the station layout was presented back around
1999.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Zassk

The same basketweave can also be accomplished with switches rather than flyovers, correct? That was my interpretation of the drawing.

Yes, but there would be more of an impact on service, especially if you are down to 90 sec headways. It would mean that the westbound Coquitlam train would have to cross over the eastbound Coquitlam track to get to the "Vancouver Platform" - as well as a similar crossover to the west of the station for eastbound trains to get to the "Coquitlam Platform". I think the basketweave was probably to eliminate one of the two switch crossovers. I'm thinking that a change in platform assignments would be the more likely result (which may mean more inconvenient transfers).

Also, if the platforms are assigned differently (i.e. northmost platform assigned to westbound to Vancouver), if the M-Line from Waterfront is terminated/turned back at Lougheed Station, you don't have to address the problem of two westbound trains (M-Line/Evergreen Line) at different westbound platforms (i.e. passengers not knowing which westbound platform will be serviced first by a westbound train). The result could mean that passengers transferring from M-Line (from Braid) to Vancouver-bound Evergreen would have to do an up and down walk to the other platform instead of staying on the "Vancouver platform" and passengers transferring from M-Line to Coquitlam would have a cross platform transfer.

[GeeCee]

Lots of buildings missing from that Burquitlam rendering.. then again, that strip mall is in dire need of redevelopment (especially the Safeway - I imagine they are holding off on renovations until the Evergreen plans are firmed up. Walking into that store is like walking into the 60s..).

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

What are the speculated possible 2 additional stations? That report is very vague on them. What kind of work has to be done during construction to allow for stations to be added later, is it a big deal or no?

Probably West Port Moody near the Barnet Highway and Lincoln Station at Coquitlam Centre Mall. The median allignment on North Road would likely prevent a station at Cameron Ave. Generally a straight flat section of track is required for a future station, but for a median station, the guideway would need to be tall enough to allow a mezzanine level under it (like at Brentwood).

[mooks28]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Lots of buildings missing from that Burquitlam rendering.. then again, that strip mall is in dire need of redevelopment (especially the Safeway - I imagine they are holding off on renovations until the Evergreen plans are firmed up. Walking into that store is like walking into the 60s..).

I remember when all the Safeways looked like that. Oh, those were the days.

It's well known the owner of the property is holding off until rapid transit goes through before redeveloping the land. I suspect it will look something a bit like the Highgate Village or whatever, just down North Road from there.

[nname]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Yes, but there would be more of an impact on service, especially if you are down to 90 sec headways. It would mean that the westbound Coquitlam train would have to cross over the eastbound Coquitlam track to get to the "Vancouver Platform" - as well as a similar crossover to the west of the station for eastbound trains to get to the "Coquitlam Platform". I think the basketweave was probably to eliminate one of the two switch crossovers. I'm thinking that a change in platform assignments would be the more likely result (which may mean more inconvenient transfers).

Also, if the platforms are assigned differently (i.e. northmost platform assigned to westbound to Vancouver), if the M-Line from Waterfront is terminated/turned back at Lougheed Station, you don't have to address the problem of two westbound trains (M-Line/Evergreen Line) at different westbound platforms (i.e. passengers not knowing which westbound platform will be serviced first by a westbound train). The result could mean that passengers transferring from M-Line (from Braid) to Vancouver-bound Evergreen would have to do an up and down walk to the other platform instead of staying on the "Vancouver platform" and passengers transferring from M-Line to Coquitlam would have a cross platform transfer.

But one of the unfinished guideway is built with a slight slope upward, so if they decide to drop the basketweave, they'll going to be a small bump when travelling into Lougheed Station.

[nname]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Probably West Port Moody near the Barnet Highway and Lincoln Station at Coquitlam Centre Mall. The median allignment on North Road would likely prevent a station at Cameron Ave. Generally a straight flat section of track is required for a future station, but for a median station, the guideway would need to be tall enough to allow a mezzanine level under it (like at Brentwood).

They can build a station like this, with walkway connecting the platform above (much like Edmonds station)... although it doesn't seems to be ideal in the middle of North Road...


(Picture of Da'an station in Taipei)

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Lots of buildings missing from that Burquitlam rendering.. then again, that strip mall is in dire need of redevelopment (especially the Safeway - I imagine they are holding off on renovations until the Evergreen plans are firmed up. Walking into that store is like walking into the 60s..).

That whole parcel is going to be redeveloped, I believe. You're absolutely right about the nostalgic feel of the Safeway there. The first time I walked into it about a year ago, I was taken back to my childhood in east Vancouver and being in the Safeway that used to be at the corner of Kingsway and Knight. It was a peculiar feeling.

All of the strip malls on Austin/Clark north of Lougheed should be re-developed.

[lightrail]

On Page 32 - it says "the Evergreen Line will be built with fare gates"

[cabotp]

^ That is logical as the fare gates are "supposed" to be up and running before the evergreen line is completed.