West LRT | 7 Stations | 8.0 KM | In Service

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by MrBigStuff

It's really quite amazing as to how fast this WLRT project is being built - you would almost think that it could be finished in less than 18 months - but I guess that maybe it takes longer to get the materials for the tracks - yeah/no???

Don't forget work will slow down significantly once the ground freezes.

[yyc_engineer]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I'm guessing it's a form for pouring concrete, the wedge shape looks to be a travel position, I bet they will swing those arms out so they are more or less vertical.

I think this is correct for the most part, I'm not totally sure either as this is my first time working with tunnel formwork..i'll get out there over the next few days to see what they get up to.

[Dado]

Originally Posted by MrBigStuff

It's really quite amazing as to how fast this WLRT project is being built - you would almost think that it could be finished in less than 18 months - but I guess that maybe it takes longer to get the materials for the tracks - yeah/no???

Tracklaying doesn't (or at least shouldn't) take too long either, once the roadbed is in place for it. The biggest issue here will be getting the materials to the right-of-way itself, and the degree of rail welding required once on-site. Welding everything in-situ would really suck (welding together lengths of 78' or, even worse, 39' rail can take some time since there's something like 32 km of rail to lay), so if a way can be found to get longer lengths to the site it would speed things up. I suppose a crane could be set up where the West LRT passes over and runs parallel to the CPR tracks so that track materials can be lifted directly onto the right-of-way from railcars there (building a siding for this purpose would probably be advisable, though). Also, once the first track is in place the second should be a lot faster to build since the first track can be used to transport and deliver materials.

Once the tracks are in place, they have to be aligned and ballasted (again, more material to deliver), but the tamping of the ballast itself won't take long.

Other than the welding issue, I would think that the overhead electrics and signalling systems will take longer to set up than the tracks themselves. It would not surprise me if we see tracks down relatively far ahead of the completion date. Indeed, getting them down early means things have time to settle so that last-minute touch-up ballasting and tamping can be carried out where necessary.

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by mr.steevo

Hi,

I imagine it is like building a house.

The excavating, foundation poor, and framing goes up quickly, but all the fiddly bits that have to do with finishing (painting, tiling, lighting and plumbing fixtures) takes most of the time.

It'll be December 2012.

s.

My guess is that things will LOOK finished by the summer of 2012, but they will be testing track and dealing with deficiencies through that fall.

[mersar]

It was mentioned in the crane thread, but there is a tower crane up at 45th Street Station for construction of that station. This is probably the first station that has used a crane in its construction if I'm right. We'll probably see another for Westbrook due to the parkade and office building is my guess.

They've also started shifting Sarcee Trail around at 17th, though the new detour route for 17th isn't done yet.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Don't forget work will slow down significantly once the ground freezes.

And they typically dont like to lay the track on frozen ground in case it shifts in the spring.... right? I hope they dont rush the track laying.

[kw5150]

There were DOZENS of people taking pictures of the launching truss and new LRT bridge getting assembled last night. I can believe they didn't close 14th street....lol. Some of the people with cameras were probably waiting for some "final destination" action.....haha.

All joking aside, that new bridge is very worthy of pictures. With the launching truss above, even more worthy. What an exciting addition to our infrastructure. I would say this is even more exciting than that ring road thingy.....

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by kw5150

There were DOZENS of people taking pictures of the launching truss and new LRT bridge getting assembled last night. I can believe they didn't close 14th street....lol. Some of the people with cameras were probably waiting for some "final destination" action.....haha.

All joking aside, that new bridge is very worthy of pictures. With the launching truss above, even more worthy. What an exciting addition to our infrastructure. I would say this is even more exciting than that ring road thingy.....

I love how projects like this bring out people to look. The bow is another great example of that.

As an ex-pat of Halifax; we've been discussing in the Halifax forum this topic of how development causes interest as Halifax is experiencing a 'boom' for their economy (considering the economy of NS pretty much stays level, unlike Alberta and Calgary which goes up and down).

There are at least 7 large projects underway in Halifax (which is a city that typically clings to heritage and has a strong opposition voice to new development); yet King's Wharf, the new Trillium building, the new waterside farmers market, the Nova scotia Power Building and others are drawing crowds.

I think this project (the LRT) is drawing people to the site because it's so interesting to see these things done. I really hope that Calgary Transit will do much like Translink did with the Canada line and hold a free day for people to see the finished product. Since Calgary's system is so interconnected; it would be great if they just made the whole day a free day to celebrate the launch.

[srperrycgy]

That would be a nice idea, but the cadre of lawyers that run the City would have none of that.

[bulliver]

^ Really? That seems odd they wouldn't have a first day free. It's a great way to get all those folks who wouldn't normally ride the train to check out what it's all about.

Edmonton did it when they opened the new extension and as mentioned Vancouver did it when they opened the Canada Line. The Canada Line opening was so successful they had to bring in extra trains to handle the crowds....

[srperrycgy]

There as never been a "free" day when any of the LRT extensions have opened. CT just doesn't want to lose a single $ of fare revenue.

[CTrainDude]

I'm not sure how much money would actually be lost - people usually travel with a Monthly pass or tickets. If it was free, most customers probably wouldn't know/remember it, so would pay anyway, just like on New Year's Eve - Most people either don't realize or forget and still pay. The only people that would ride for free would be people that wouldn't normally ride, just to check it out. Might be worth it in the long run to attract more paying customers.

[srperrycgy]

That would be a pleasant change in philosophy by CT. I'm too much of a cynic to think that CT might actually do something like a free day.

[Stang]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

There as never been a "free" day when any of the LRT extensions have opened. CT just doesn't want to lose a single $ of fare revenue.

True, but I'd put the West LRT in a different category than a plain old extension. The size of the project is something that we haven't seen here since the original NW, NE, and S lines were built.

I say do it on a Sunday so the revenue lost would be minimal. In the bigger picture, you might actually attract a few new riders by giving them a free test drive. It could also assist new commuters in the West part of the city who are planning to take the train to work but want to do a dry run on the Sunday to see where they park, hop on, hop off, etc.

I'll be taking a ride once it opens, fare or no fare. But I like that sort of thing.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

There as never been a "free" day when any of the LRT extensions have opened. CT just doesn't want to lose a single $ of fare revenue.

I do applaud calgary for at least having a free zone!! I bet they would have a free day for sure. Just spread the rumour that the first day is free. How about that?

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by kw5150

I do applaud calgary for at least having a free zone!! I bet they would have a free day for sure. Just spread the rumour that the first day is free. How about that?

I like the way you think.

[SubwayRev]

The detour at 17th ave and Sarcee Trail opened this morning. The intersection, with temporary traffic lights, etc. is now about 200m South of the old intersection. I believe the timeline is to have it this alignement until August of 2011.

Also, the WLRT site has said for months that the detour would open on Auugst 31st, so I guess they're right on schedule!

[yyc_engineer]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

That would be a pleasant change in philosophy by CT. I'm too much of a cynic to think that CT might actually do something like a free day.

a "free-day" when the project opens would be a good idea, I'll pass on the idea to some folks at CT when we get closer to opening and see what they say.

And yes I would agree that CT is REALLY old school in the way they do things (mainly because of one particular senior manager who will remain nameless) but I know some of the PR people and I bet they'd be interested, maybe we can combine it with a carnival like the crowfoot opening...

[mr.steevo]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

There as never been a "free" day when any of the LRT extensions have opened. CT just doesn't want to lose a single $ of fare revenue.

Hi,

I remember when the C-Train line went into operation in 1981 there was a free day. It may have even been a free week but I only rode it one evening from Southland to end of the line in downtown a back. I'm surprised the extensions didn't have the same policy.

s.

[kw5150]

So..... I heard that Calgary Transit will be offering a free day on ALL of its lines on the opening day of the West LRT! Cool hey?