West LRT | 7 Stations | 8.0 KM | In Service

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Speaking of big city, they are currently building a rather big subway line in Manhattan, and you barely see any physical signs of it's existence (and not that much mention in the media or day to day life either)...in comparison it seems like half of western Calgary is dug up for the West LRT. Most of the action for the 2nd ave Subway is underground of course, but it's an absolutely massive project.

Well, if it's anything like Metro construction in Shanghai, the only places you're likely to see evidence of construction are at places where stations will be located. Everything else is pretty well hidden. TBMs don't leave a lot of evidence of their work.

There are currently 4 Metro lines (primarily underground, but some elevated sections as well) U/C in Shanghai, and the only places where work on the underground sections is visible on the surface is at station locations.

[Innersoul1]

Lots of great things happening on the WLRT with the fantastic weather we have been having. The copper panelling for Shaganappi Point Station was delivered last night. I imagine that installation will begin soon. They are also prepping the ground between Shag Point and the Westbrook tunnel for rail.

Couple questions that have popped into my head after numerous drives past the station areas (as always I appreciate the knowledge of those in the "know"):

I noticed that just east of the Shag point station the Eastbound lanes of Bow trail are at a higher grade than the westbound ones. They have used modular concrete blocks (like lego) to create the retaining wall above the LRT tracks. Is this the way of the future, it doesn't seem as proper as the normal poured concrete walls or square segments that they normally use. Can anyone comment on this?

Totally a mega project! i love to see the progress taking place!

[mersar]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

I noticed that just east of the Shag point station the Eastbound lanes of Bow trail are at a higher grade than the westbound ones. They have used modular concrete blocks (like lego) to create the retaining wall above the LRT tracks. Is this the way of the future, it doesn't seem as proper as the normal poured concrete walls or square segments that they normally use. Can anyone comment on this?

Totally a mega project! i love to see the progress taking place!

They used a similar system on the NW extension to Crowfoot, if you're driving east bound you can see the retaining wall holding the west bound lanes above the right of way.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Lots of great things happening on the WLRT with the fantastic weather we have been having. The copper panelling for Shaganappi Point Station was delivered last night. I imagine that installation will begin soon. They are also prepping the ground between Shag Point and the Westbrook tunnel for rail.

Couple questions that have popped into my head after numerous drives past the station areas (as always I appreciate the knowledge of those in the "know"):

I noticed that just east of the Shag point station the Eastbound lanes of Bow trail are at a higher grade than the westbound ones. They have used modular concrete blocks (like lego) to create the retaining wall above the LRT tracks. Is this the way of the future, it doesn't seem as proper as the normal poured concrete walls or square segments that they normally use. Can anyone comment on this?

Totally a mega project! i love to see the progress taking place!

Concrete blocks like this:



Or like this:



Or like this:

[eggbert]

^ If I'm not mistaken, they look like the 3rd picture.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by eggbert

^ If I'm not mistaken, they look like the 3rd picture.

Correct.

Yeah, I mean obviously these guys know what they are doing but I just think that overall they look temporary and cheap. Your first picture is more of what I would have expected. That being said, i assume that the reason they went with this choice is because they are sturdy and easy to install without closing the eastbound lanes of Bowtrail to do the proper compacting needed to allow the installation of the blocks used in image 1.

[Calgarian]

If they paint the concrete it will look great IMO.

[Rise_of_the_West]

A few updated from today:

-The arches for the 45th street station entry off of 17th/45th (ie above street level) were going up today. Sleepers are down from 45th across sarcee from what i could tell.

-Westside Parkade appears to be done. Glass is in for the stairs and noticed they were cleaning it the other day. It will most likely open with the school in the fall i presume.

- Noticed a lot of speeders/tailgaters (most in SUV's) in the construction zone today. Slow it down folks! 17th is 50km/h for a reason. Its in rather poor shape to begin with not to mention the safety of construction crews.

[frinkprof]

Some photos I took at Sunalta Station yesterday evening










Glass going up




Underside






Copper roofing going up






East end of the station again

[srperrycgy]

Nice shots of Sunalta, Mr. Frink.

From my weekly walk over to Westbrook, I can report that the tunnel concrete work is complete (as far as I can see). Backfilling has started near the Westbrook Station site as well. "Mount Westbrook", the pile of excavated fill is being brought down. My best guess is that the tunnel structure will be filled in over 35th Street and roadwork complete before they remove the temporary bridge over 37th Street, which will cause some traffic problems.

[Innersoul1]

Those concrete stairs at Sunalta are going to be a joy to clean in the winter!

[5seconds]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Those concrete stairs at Sunalta are going to be a joy to clean in the winter!

You would think that the cost of snow removal alone would be more than justify covering the stairs. Are there plans to cover those stairs? I would love to see the 'tunnel' shape of the station continued to ground level, especially if they did the copper roof.

EDIT: Nope, no covering in the plans.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Those concrete stairs at Sunalta are going to be a joy to clean in the winter!

yeah, they should be covered maybe?

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by kw5150

yeah, they should be covered maybe?

They have to clear the rest of the pedestrian bridge anyway, why cover the stairs if you aren't going to cover everything?

[5seconds]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

They have to clear the rest of the pedestrian bridge anyway, why cover the stairs if you aren't going to cover everything?

Stairs are harder/more time consuming to clear, and they have the potential for more accidents.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Stairs are harder/more time consuming to clear, and they have the potential for more accidents.

If those stairs are snowy, people could always use the indoor stairs.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

They have to clear the rest of the pedestrian bridge anyway, why cover the stairs if you aren't going to cover everything?

I dunno.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Those concrete stairs at Sunalta are going to be a joy to clean in the winter!

I'd wonder if they are heated like the stairs from the +15 at 4th Street Station. That alone takes care of a lot of the cleaning the snow off issue.

[5seconds]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

If those stairs are snowy, people could always use the indoor stairs.

Yea, if the city are not going to commit to clearing them, and the density of people using the station doesn't warrant it, then the other stairs are more cost effective!

Originally Posted by mersar

I'd wonder if they are heated like the stairs from the +15 at 4th Street Station. That alone takes care of a lot of the cleaning the snow off issue.

That would be a good idea. I wonder if there is any excess heat from a station like that, that could be funneled into that kind of use.

[Bigtime]

Sunalta station:


Sunalta Station by BigtimeAa, on Flickr