West LRT | 7 Stations | 8.0 KM | In Service - Page 46

srperrycgy · #**901** Posted **Apr 28, 2010, 8:55 PM**

Public Information Displays setup at Westbrook Mall. Sorry, crappy cameraphone pic.

My image.

mooky · #**902** Posted **Apr 28, 2010, 9:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdurden5573

Ya, the Maglev line between Berlin and Hamburg was scrapped partly due to people around the track being concerned about the radiation. I personally think its a freaking joke, as im sure most of these people are habitual smokers! Its all relative.

I'm actually impressed with the speed and progress of the west line, its not a trivial task to build a line through a congested part of the city.

Not to get off topic, but high voltage has been linked to increases in certain types of cancers.

Either way though, the debate really doesn't belong here. *thread nazi-ing*

Dado · #**903** Posted **Apr 29, 2010, 12:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I don't have a problem with how long WLRT will take. I'd really like to see the smaller extensions like Crowfoot or McKnight-Westwinds go a lot quicker. Crowfoot was ridiculous, labour shortage or not.

I was really perplexed by the time these extensions took, especially in comparison to the general haste that seems to characterize construction generally in Calgary (a big shock to my Ottawa eyes, though even to them the Crowfoot extension seemed unusually long).

How is the NE extension going compared to these other two? It strikes me as a pretty straight forward at-grade extension along a reserved right-of-way with a minimum of relocation work - pretty close to ideal, I would think.

shogged · #**904** Posted **Apr 29, 2010, 1:33 AM**

bottom line of the speed of development issue, it all comes down to economics. There absolutely could be a faster timeline for any project construction in Calgary. Problem is, lets say we wanted the WLRT done in 12 months. You'd need over double the labour and probably more, working around the clock and a number of other things. A 400 million dollar extension just became 1 billion for the same product. 2.5 years isn't long and it makes the most economical sense.

The bow is another good example. Double the number of cranes and steel workers. They could have been done steel last year but at what cost? Certainly not one that would have produced a return on the investment within our lifetimes!

The pace of construction in China and Dubai is because of the abundance of cheap labour. If there was thousands of migrant workers in calgary willing to work minimum wage then we'd see the same thing here. Doesn't hurt that minimum wage in those countries isn't equal to minimum wage in our neck of the woods.

unibrain · #**905** Posted **May 7, 2010, 4:47 AM**

This is a really neat project. I am really amazed with the information being provided to the public. The WestLRT team has done a great job informing the public through the use of the website. Things are being updated constantly, and everything is laid out nicely.

I believe Gibbs Gage is now involved with this project. I believe they are doing the working drawing submissions for the buildings/stations on this project.

frinkprof · #**906** Posted **May 8, 2010, 5:38 PM**

Nevermind.

jeffwhit · #**907** Posted **May 8, 2010, 6:02 PM**

This makes no sense whatsoever^^ The current station is already right in front of the Kirby Centre. If crime is riding in on the LRT it's already there. I don't think people commuting from Strathcona/Signal Hill are exactly of the thug variety.

The West end is still under developed, and unpleasant. something needs to happen to make it more people friendly.

frinkprof · #**908** Posted **May 8, 2010, 6:30 PM**

Nevermind.

Riise · #**909** Posted **May 8, 2010, 6:59 PM**

Wow, the Kerby Centre is making itself look like quite the amateur organization. Any half-decent run senior's program/centre would understand the mobility issues that seniors have to face and realize that the provision of a train station on their front step is a massive boost to their accessibility. Instead of informing the media that they are leaving they should try to reassure their clients that their fears are not necessarily going to be realized and they should be using the media to ask the City to ensure that the station will be a huge positive without the potential negatives.

frinkprof · #**910** Posted **May 8, 2010, 7:06 PM**

Nevermind.

Wooster · #**911** Posted **May 8, 2010, 7:13 PM**

Not to mention they could probably sell their land for a buttload of money to developers.

The LRT station rationale they cite is kind of ridiculous.

unibrain · #**912** Posted **May 8, 2010, 7:30 PM**

Pretty interesting about the Kerby Centre.. the parking lot across the street (Or behind Discovery Pointe) is zoned for exactly their needs.. a senior's centre. I think it would be an ideal place to build one... it's central, that's for sure.. but if being attached to a Ctrain station is going to be an issue.. then I guess it'll have to find another central location... perhaps in Sunalta?

MalcolmTucker · #**913** Posted **May 8, 2010, 7:52 PM**

Kerby Centre clients have been complaining since Millennium Park came in and foot traffic of skateborders (god forbid!) and other park users increased dramatically. Anyone that doesn't look like a white collar worker might look like a hoodlum to some vocal folks that go to the centre.

Handibus access sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back, and if you are going to rebuild, why not go someplace where you can pocket some nice change for your existing land. Considering it would be a somewhat active site, what about a place in the Bridges? It would be sad to see it move to somewhere like an industrial district.

mersar · #**914** Posted **May 10, 2010, 4:15 AM**

Theres two huge concrete forms standing up by the Sunalta station site, looks to have rebar in them, and probably 30' or taller. Plus there is rebar for the start of the guideway where it ramps up from ground level to the elevated portion.

Kerby Centre · #**915** Posted **May 10, 2010, 1:21 PM**

Hi everyone! I find it interesting to hear of the many opinions regarding the new 11 Street Station and impacts to the Kerby Centre. As a point for clarifications I thought I would put in some additional information...
A) The building is provincially owned and therefore Kerby Centre will NOT gain a single dime by the selling of it as was mentioned
B) The City (and the supporting team) has been helpful and responsive to the needs of the seniors and have made some modifications to the platform and egress that is positive
C) The parking lot across the street is also provincially owned and was designated as seniors housing back around 1980. This is still the land use on record - and the provincial gov decided many years ago that Kerby was not going to get the land. We advocated and were not successful and so we took the high road and continued to plan for our future.
D) The LRT platform was the final push we needed to move forward with the goal to move from our current location. We have been planning this for many years - more vigorously in the last 2 years.
I hope that this helps clarify Kerby's status. If you have any additional questions, just let me know! Cheers, Luanne Whitmarsh CEO 403-705-3251

mr.steevo · #**916** Posted **May 10, 2010, 4:08 PM**

Hi,

From the Calgary Herald article on the Kerby Centre linked above.

Quote:

"They read the only thing that goes in the newspapers about the LRT is nasty and negative, so they have a tremendous amount of fear around the LRT coming into their front yard," Whitmarsh said. "And I think that's fair. We already have the criminal element in and out of our building on a fairly regular basis already, because of where we are located."

This is fair. The last news article I read regarding the LRT was the stabbings. If I was a Kerby client and there was a big station right in front of the building I would wonder what kind of magnet it would act as to attract crime. Remember, we are talking about little old ladies here, and not the 20 - 40 year old males who tend to post on this board. You might think it is trivial but you are not in their shoes. If I was 80 and female you bet I would be concerned with the LRT station plunked right at the entrance.

s.

frinkprof · #**917** Posted **May 10, 2010, 4:30 PM**

Nevermind.

mr.steevo · #**918** Posted **May 10, 2010, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frinkprof

As opposed to it being a block away? I'll agree it does make a difference, but only a slight one I would say.

Optics are very important in this situation.

s.

Wooster · #**919** Posted **May 10, 2010, 5:08 PM**

With Kerby being planning on moving and both sites on either side of 7th being provincially owned, I wonder if the Province will have interest in selling the land (to the City or someone else) or perhaps developing some affordable housing themselves there. Likely scenario: they sit on it and nothing happens for infinity years.

fusili · #**920** Posted **May 10, 2010, 6:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

With Kerby being planning on moving and both sites on either side of 7th being provincially owned, I wonder if the Province will have interest in selling the land (to the City or someone else) or perhaps developing some affordable housing themselves there. Likely scenario: they sit on it and nothing happens for infinity years.

How true.