Saskatoon Construction II

[Irvin]

Could we see 10 construction cranes in 2014
1) 612 Main St.
2) AGS
3) River Center II
4) River Landing - possibly 2 cranes
5) Chris Lefevre building in river landing 2
6) Yellow Quill on 4th Ave.
7) Children's Hospital - possibly 2 cranes
8) University Hotel

All this and at least 7 hotels under construction.

Can't wait !!

[circle33]

[TristanMammoetFan]

Originally Posted by Irvin

Could we see 10 construction cranes in 2014
1) 612 Main St.
2) AGS
3) River Center II
4) River Landing - possibly 2 cranes
5) Chris Lefevre building in river landing 2
6) Yellow Quill on 4th Ave.
7) Children's Hospital - possibly 2 cranes
8) University Hotel

All this and at least 7 hotels under construction.

Can't wait !!

Same, i wonder who will put them all up.

[Morogolus]

What the hell is the big deal about running a bus between Stoon and Martensville anyways? The city is acting like they need to put in a high speed rail link that won't be done for 30 more years. Each city could share the cost. I don't see the problem. They always beak about wanting to increase ridership but it's all just talk, I don't think they give a —.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

What the hell is the big deal about running a bus between Stoon and Martensville anyways? The city is acting like they need to put in a high speed rail link that won't be done for 30 more years. Each city could share the cost. I don't see the problem. They always beak about wanting to increase ridership but it's all just talk, I don't think they give a —.

If they were serious about the million person plan, they should be thinking about at least light rail. Too bad they just chose BRT as the primary goal.

Although I'm not very impressed by Saskatoon's sprawl, I'm more concerned with the surrounding communities sprawling. Lower costs to build and less planning is not a great combination.

[nook]

Saskatoon could really benefit from an LRT. I'm disappointed to see that it will practically never be in the plans. But this city can hardly maintain its roads, I don't want to know what an LRT would bring, ha.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by nook

Saskatoon could really benefit from an LRT. I'm disappointed to see that it will practically never be in the plans. But this city can hardly maintain its roads, I don't want to know what an LRT would bring, ha.

Calgary was smart and started building one around 500,000. Now Saskatoon could benefit from one yes, but cost per KM ATM for ridership would be detrimental. Now building a BRT to the North Industrial along Warman Rd from Downtown and having a line run down College to the new suburban center by McOrmind, One down 8th street to Boychuck, and one down 22nd to blairmore would be the most benficial at this time IMO. Maybe one more down Idylwyle to the connect to the airport and CUC. Then when the time is right turn those ROWs to LRT. That way it kills two birds in one. Also it allows the usage of existing buses in the city.

A city that needs LRT that is JUST now starting BRT is Winnipeg. For a city nearing 1,000,000 they are REALLY behind on the times.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by nook

Saskatoon could really benefit from an LRT. I'm disappointed to see that it will practically never be in the plans. But this city can hardly maintain its roads, I don't want to know what an LRT would bring, ha.

Think of the BRT as a stepping stone to an LRT down the road. Over time, the BRT routes will become entrenched transit corridors, attracting investment and densification, and the evolution to LRT can occur.

[casper]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Calgary was smart and started building one around 500,000. Now Saskatoon could benefit from one yes, but cost per KM ATM for ridership would be detrimental. Now building a BRT to the North Industrial along Warman Rd from Downtown and having a line run down College to the new suburban center by McOrmind, One down 8th street to Boychuck, and one down 22nd to blairmore would be the most benficial at this time IMO. Maybe one more down Idylwyle to the connect to the airport and CUC. Then when the time is right turn those ROWs to LRT. That way it kills two birds in one. Also it allows the usage of existing buses in the city.

A city that needs LRT that is JUST now starting BRT is Winnipeg. For a city nearing 1,000,000 they are REALLY behind on the times.

I think Calgary is the wrong example to work from. A much lower cost example would be to do something similar to the O-train in Ottawa.

The rail lines are already in place between downtown and the northern burbs, and I would surprised if they get much use. What would be good is build some passenger platforms, perhaps upgrade the rails in places and rent or buy some old bud cars. VIA Rail recently refurbished the bud cars they use in northern Ontario and Quebec.

In Ottawa they used new cars for the O-train demonstration that meet lighter European standards so they can't be mixed on the same lines at the same time. The Bud cars are designed to operate with North American freight lines.

Some references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-train
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_Rail_Diesel_Car

If that works and the operating agency is able to build user demand then we should start to invest in twinning the track and converting it to an LRT or something equivalent.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Calgary was smart and started building one around 500,000. Now Saskatoon could benefit from one yes, but cost per KM ATM for ridership would be detrimental. Now building a BRT to the North Industrial along Warman Rd from Downtown and having a line run down College to the new suburban center by McOrmind, One down 8th street to Boychuck, and one down 22nd to blairmore would be the most benficial at this time IMO. Maybe one more down Idylwyle to the connect to the airport and CUC. Then when the time is right turn those ROWs to LRT. That way it kills two birds in one. Also it allows the usage of existing buses in the city.

A city that needs LRT that is JUST now starting BRT is Winnipeg. For a city nearing 1,000,000 they are REALLY behind on the times.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both Calgary and Edmonton started PLANNING for lrt when they were roughly the size of Saskatoon now.

As for the road comment, maybe this is what is necessary if the city can't handle fixing roads. Take people off the road.

I feel like LRT would have far greater ridership than BRT as well. There's a stigma towards buses in this city that could be overlooked by something that citizens can be excited and proud about.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Devon

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both Calgary and Edmonton started PLANNING for lrt when they were roughly the size of Saskatoon now.

As for the road comment, maybe this is what is necessary if the city can't handle fixing roads. Take people off the road.

I feel like LRT would have far greater ridership than BRT as well. There's a stigma towards buses in this city that could be overlooked by something that citizens can be excited and proud about.

I am not sure if they started planning LRT at 250,000 but defiantly when the metro area consensus plan (not sure if that is the name) was established back in the mid-late 70s it was defiantly a topic that propagated quite intensely.

The stigma might be in place. But I would venture a guess that if Buses ran on a dedicated roadway with stops at specific locations and didn't deviate from this it would seem like a more acceptable option. I mean Jazz up the stops to look like LRT stops and I think that persona changes quite a bit. Especially when they are highly visible along 8th street and College drive. You would still need riders of either system to either "park-and-ride" or "bus" to the BRT station anyway. So regardless a jazzed up system would be more appealing to a lot more people.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by casper

The rail lines are already in place between downtown and the northern burbs, and I would surprised if they get much use. What would be good is build some passenger platforms, perhaps upgrade the rails in places and rent or buy some old bud cars. VIA Rail recently refurbished the bud cars they use in northern Ontario and Quebec.

To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a rail line from Martensville to Saskatoon. The rail line from Warman to Saskatoon is actually quite busy, with a noticeable increase in train traffic this year.

At some point commuter rail from the bedroom communities will make sense, but I believe that we're still decades from that happening. Dedicated buses running to a north industrial hub and then on to downtown may be doable, though.

[Wyku]

Seeing a bus fly by on its own stretch of road as you're stuck in an endless line of traffic would definetely make people reconsider the bus. Having the bus stuck in the same endless line of traffic as you in your car...not so much.

[Echoes]

Minor news, but Mystic Java has opened a downtown location on the ground floor of the Affinity Building on 4th Ave. I see they have a few patio chairs out. Combined with the new CBC studios occupying the other side of the building's ground floor, it provides for a bit more interest at the street level on that otherwise dead block.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Wyku

Seeing a bus fly by on its own stretch of road as you're stuck in an endless line of traffic would definetely make people reconsider the bus. Having the bus stuck in the same endless line of traffic as you in your car...not so much.

It would sure make me want to ride it a heck of a lot more. I have actually never been on a Transit Bus, other then between some events that have happened.

When it is faster for me to sit in traffic (beside the bus) what is the point. If I was given the option to have a bus that drove down a dedicated path and had preferred signaling I would defiantly take a bus downtown. Get a coffee and a breakfast item and then continue on to work. I would do that in a heartbeat. And to go downtown to take in the pubs with a good way to get home after having a few pops always a great thing.

Convenient has to be the key. And Capital must be spent first regardless of ridership at the current point. Because a better amenity / service will draw more people and increase operating revenue.

[Brutopian]

Target open for business in Saskatoon

Two locations let shoppers in at 8 a.m. Tuesday

Reported by Bryn Levy, NewsTalk 650 CKOM

July 16, 2013

Saskatoon shoppers were there bright and early to get a first look at the Target location at the Circle Centre Mall.

About 75 people were lined up ahead of the 8 a.m. opening of the new store.

[........]

Read more:
http://ckom.com/story/target-open-business-saskatoon/120879

[Brutopian]

Grand opening for Circle Drive South will be July 31

Construction crews continue to push for opening, penalty negotiations continue

Reported by François Biber, NewsTalk 650 CKOM

July 15, 2013

Saskatoon’s newest bridge has been named, now the finishing touches are being put on the Circle Drive South project.

“We’ll be finished in time to open it up on July 31,” said Doug Drever, project director for the bridge.

Signage has been ordered and paving continues as crews continue to push to meet the deadline that’s just 17 days away.

[........]

Read More:
http://ckom.com/story/grand-opening-circle-drive-south-will-be-july-31/120743

[skSK]

Originally Posted by Devon

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both Calgary and Edmonton started PLANNING for lrt when they were roughly the size of Saskatoon now.

As for the road comment, maybe this is what is necessary if the city can't handle fixing roads. Take people off the road.

I feel like LRT would have far greater ridership than BRT as well. There's a stigma towards buses in this city that could be overlooked by something that citizens can be excited and proud about.

You're definitely in the ballpark. According to Wikipedia, Calgary's population in 1961 was roughly a quarter of a million people. Their LRT opened in 1981, as a result of planning stemming from a 1967 transportation study recommending LRT. Although Calgary only opted to begin construction on its LRT in 1976, it had reserved land for transit corridors and secured use of existing rail lines' ROWs in the 1960s and 1970s.

I agree with Echoes and think BRT is a logical first step to more transit infrastructure. I think it can be used to increase the profile of public transit in Saskatoon and eventually build familiarity with transit corridors, which then may be more easily converted to LRT in the future...

... but I just hope it's done right!

[SaskScraper]

Originally Posted by Devon
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both Calgary and Edmonton started PLANNING for lrt when they were roughly the size of Saskatoon now.

As for the road comment, maybe this is what is necessary if the city can't handle fixing roads. Take people off the road.

I feel like LRT would have far greater ridership than BRT as well. There's a stigma towards buses in this city that could be overlooked by something that citizens can be excited and proud about.

Originally Posted by skSK

You're definitely in the ballpark. According to Wikipedia, Calgary's population in 1961 was roughly a quarter of a million people. Their LRT opened in 1981, as a result of planning stemming from a 1967 transportation study recommending LRT. Although Calgary only opted to begin construction on its LRT in 1976, it had reserved land for transit corridors and secured use of existing rail lines' ROWs in the 1960s and 1970s.

I agree with Echoes and think BRT is a logical first step to more transit infrastructure. I think it can be used to increase the profile of public transit in Saskatoon and eventually build familiarity with transit corridors, which then may be more easily converted to LRT in the future...

... but I just hope it's done right!

The best way to get people to take public transit is to make it faster/cheaper than to drive by car. If BRT, or more likely LRT ,can be made to be faster/cheaper than by car to commute it will be successful, if it can't than it won't be successful. The reason LRT in Calgary and Edmonton are so successful is that it meets or beats speed/price for people to get to work, because of its right of way corridors planned well in advance in each cities early development.

If people can live in Warman or Martensville and get to work faster/cheaper than if they live in city limits people will move there and make these communities the fastest growing communities in the province..plain and simple. Saskatoon city planners shifted commuter/heavy usage path to be weighted in the North industrial area and minimized in centrally located downtown. CUC is an early example of placing infrastructure in area where Saskatoon citizens all have to travel in one direction to get to ( = timed unidirectional traffic jams).

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by skSK

... but I just hope it's done right!

Bolded for emphasis.