Calgary Public Transit II

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by suburb

Why is there duct tape on both ends of this piece?

I was thinking the same thing.

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Are you serious? It looks like netting.

I'm pretty sure you're right. It's see through, so it can't be a tape or a tarp.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by sim

Is this section being installed differently than the previous? It looks to be a balanced cantilever at the moment. Weren't all the sections done before simply installed one after the other?

Yeah, this section is definitely different. I haven't seen every last stage of this but we drive under there pretty often and until now it's been piece by piece. In fact, the entire project has seemed stalled since the holidays, but I guess it makes sense if they're tossing on such a large chunk all at once.

[SubwayRev]

Originally Posted by that_twisted_cm

Or even better...include transit fare in your ticket.

Add $3-4 to the price of a show ticket/Flames ticket which will go to CT directly...it's been used in Sydney Australia for events at the Olympic Stadium.

The idea isn't bad, but I don't think it's feasbile. In the long run, the majority of people at a Flames game or other stampede park event are not taking transit. They won't enjoy paying for it.

The Flames and Stampede would fight back with everything they've got. And, I think they'd win too. The city doesn't have the muscle to force certain private operators to pay for nearby transit.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

By derekmcb on flickr

WHERE ARE THE ZOMBIES!??? WHERE IS THE GRAFFITI?

[MalcolmTucker]

For those not in on the joke, here is the image from www.bestwestlrt.com which showed approximately the same location but the 1st approved alignment.

[freeweed]

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference?

Seriously, I'm at a complete loss as to why one is any "better" than the other.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by freeweed

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference?

Seriously, I'm at a complete loss as to why one is any "better" than the other.

There is a difference, but it isn't as pronounced in the location pictured.

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Yeah, this section is definitely different. I haven't seen every last stage of this but we drive under there pretty often and until now it's been piece by piece. In fact, the entire project has seemed stalled since the holidays, but I guess it makes sense if they're tossing on such a large chunk all at once.

They are definately doing the crossing over Bow Trail a little differently. The sections being lifted seem a little larger than the rest of them, plus I'm guessing they can't jsut bring them all onto Bow Trail and lift them from there - it would disrupt traffic too much. Since I drive this section every day and haven't seen them lifting the pieces into place I'm guessing they are doing off peak hours so as to minimize disruptions on Bow trail. There's no way they would risk it while traffic is driving underneath.

On the topic of the pace slowing, I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that the piers/columns/whatever they're called further west are not ready yet so there is no sense placing all the pieces over Bow Trail and then having the trus launcher sitting diractly above for a month while they get ready for the next segment of the guideway. Again, I don't think they would want to have it ditting directly over traffic for an extended period of time in case something happens.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by lubicon

They are definately doing the crossing over Bow Trail a little differently. The sections being lifted seem a little larger than the rest of them, plus I'm guessing they can't jsut bring them all onto Bow Trail and lift them from there - it would disrupt traffic too much. Since I drive this section every day and haven't seen them lifting the pieces into place I'm guessing they are doing off peak hours so as to minimize disruptions on Bow trail. There's no way they would risk it while traffic is driving underneath.

On the topic of the pace slowing, I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that the piers/columns/whatever they're called further west are not ready yet so there is no sense placing all the pieces over Bow Trail and then having the trus launcher sitting diractly above for a month while they get ready for the next segment of the guideway. Again, I don't think they would want to have it ditting directly over traffic for an extended period of time in case something happens.

Also, if you look you'll notice these spans are a bit different in that the pieces aren't all uniform, these are more arched (similar to what is seen in some places on the Canada Line), and the spans are a lot closer together as well due to the curve and drop down to grade.

[freeweed]

@ lubicon - duh, I hadn't actually put 2 and 3 together on that. Now that you mention it I'm slapping my head. Of course, this is the section that goes over Bow.

[polishavenger]

I think that once we have a center street subway and an SE line, they should look at a subway in the SW to mount royal. What I would do is take the west leg from the underground station at westbrook and split off a spur heading south along 37th street west. Stations would be at 37th street, and 26th Ave, Richmond Rd and 3th Street, in the middle of currie barracks, at mt royal gate and richard rd, and then at 50th ave and 21st street. About 5km of subway with 5 stations. All along 37th street I would densify to a european scale of around 6 - 8 stories, with a much more intense use around mount royal and the business park next to it. Probably would come out to 1.5billion or so.

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

I have been putting some thought into what kind transit expansions could be useful after the three major planned expansions have been completed. These three are of course the SE LRT, N LRT (Centre Street Subway), and 8 Ave Subway. I have come up with six new conceptual C-Train lines. In my opinion these range all over the map, from currently viable to way out there. I have some maps and diagrams but they are on paper so they cannot be posted at present. Hopefully the descriptions are enough to help people visualize what I mean. So, in the interests of promoting some debate about Calgary Transit's future, here is part one of a six part series:

[The Avid Pedestrian]

Do it right after NCLRT and use the same TBM!

Any photos of 4th Street Stn anyone can post? Curious to see how they interfaced station with the park to the North

[MalcolmTucker]

use the same TBM

I often see similar statements all over the net, unfortunately the TBMs are not the expensive part of tunneling even if they are the most cool.

[The Avid Pedestrian]

Very true, but an example of some of the efficiencies a City can realize when they have a detailed plan. Especially helpful said City can only afford to undertake one new Rapid Transit line at a time.

You raise an excellent point, don't get me wrong (My degree's in Geological Engineering) there are other savings too: not having to transport a new TBM (a huge logistical issue) it'll always be large enough for your rolling stock (assuming you use similar trains), and if the City is able to invest in a full-face shield TBM from the get-go, you can tunnel through just about anything so long as utilities and building foundations don't impede

Not to detract from your point S.Humph - having the TBM alone isn't enough, but I think if you have a comprehensive network plan with several bored tunnel sections, you could make the sell for the Feds for the extra funding and get a Full Shield from the start - then you could really start rolling with aggressive system expansion!

[srperrycgy]

CT has used one of my website images without my permission. Sent off an e-mail; lets see what happens.

[MalcolmTucker]

you could make the sell for the Feds for the extra funding

Federal funds don't work like that. You get what you are allocated, as long as you apply for all you are due.

Wasn't always that way, but has been since the government started spending money again during later Chretien.

In any case, in Alberta so much is spent on infrastructure most projects don't get the 1/3rd federal contribution at all. Much different situation than in the lower mainland.

[UofC.engineer]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Federal funds don't work like that. You get what you are allocated, as long as you apply for all you are due.

Wasn't always that way, but has been since the government started spending money again during later Chretien.

In any case, in Alberta so much is spent on infrastructure most projects don't get the 1/3rd federal contribution at all. Much different situation than in the lower mainland.

That's not fair, places with a higher growth rate should get more money in order to support the infrastructure.

Better infrastructure means a healthier economy, and since most of our taxes go to the Federal government they get back what they put in and we all live happily ever after

Haha, jking, but seriously I think they should spend more on infrastructure like they did in the 50's and 60's

[Bassic Lab]

Originally Posted by polishavenger

I think that once we have a center street subway and an SE line, they should look at a subway in the SW to mount royal. What I would do is take the west leg from the underground station at westbrook and split off a spur heading south along 37th street west. Stations would be at 37th street, and 26th Ave, Richmond Rd and 3th Street, in the middle of currie barracks, at mt royal gate and richard rd, and then at 50th ave and 21st street. About 5km of subway with 5 stations. All along 37th street I would densify to a european scale of around 6 - 8 stories, with a much more intense use around mount royal and the business park next to it. Probably would come out to 1.5billion or so.

That is actually reminiscent of some plans for part two of the six part series. So I agree that there is a viable route there.

[polishavenger]

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

That is actually reminiscent of some plans for part two of the six part series. So I agree that there is a viable route there.

What I like about this route is that it serves mount royal and two high schools, some museums, a developing business park, and the future currie barracks redevelopment, and it logically ties into the west LRT.

In addition to that, since the neighborhoods surrounding 37th street are all on a grid network, they are ripe for densification.