Millennium Line - Evergreen Extension | Completed

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by dpogue

One set of plans showed an allowance for a future extension to PoCo, and it looked like they were going to build a stub track. It was a really stange setup though, the strack split before reaching Coquitlam Central Station, and then there was going to be a second semi-connected platform at Coquitlam Central for the line to PoCo.

See the last two images posted in http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6131792&postcount=4205 for a better visual of the plan.

Looking at that rendering, I'm wondering why they don't extend the 'stub tracks' just two more segments, which will need to be done anyhow when the 'poco platform' is built.

For a few years (or decades) there would then be room to use those tracks for storing a few trains between rush-hours instead of dead-heading them back to the OMC overnight.

Or have a few spare trains ready to use in the daytime - but not taking up revenue tracks or platform space.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Looking at that rendering, I'm wondering why they don't extend the 'stub tracks' just two more segments, which will need to be done anyhow when the 'poco platform' is built.

For a few years (or decades) there would then be room to use those tracks for storing a few trains between rush-hours instead of dead-heading them back to the OMC overnight.

Or have a few spare trains ready to use in the daytime - but not taking up revenue tracks or platform space.

Probably because the project includes a new vehicle storage facility nearby at Falcon and storage track at Moody Centre.

Originally Posted by nname

There's actually quite a few options... Lets say if we number the platforms from N to S as 1-4:

1. Run the entire Evergreen Line on the "wrong side" of the track from Lafarge to Lougheed, while running the PoCo branch on the "right side". Platform 1: Lafarge, 2-3 VCC, 4 PoCo

2. Build a cross-over west of Coquitlam Station for the eastbound train to go onto the north track. The Lafarge branch will run on the "wrong side" to the end. Platform 1: Lafarge, 2-3 VCC, 4 PoCo

3. Single-track or use a shuttle train for the Lafarge branch. Platform 1: Unused, 2 Lafarge/VCC, 3 VCC, 4 PoCo

4. Single-track or use a shuttle train for the PoCo branch. Platform 1: VCC, 2 Lafarge, 3 PoCo/VCC, 4 Unused

5. By-pass Coquitlam Station for the PoCo branch, so no platform 3-4 needed. Transfer need to be done at Inlet Centre/Falcoln

6. Run both lines normally, but have sign at the concourse to tell people which platform the train will depart first. They do this in Hong Kong. Platform 1: VCC, 2 Lafarge, 3 VCC, 4 PoCo

Thought about those, but for #1, there's a long segment of head-on conflict near and through future Falcon Station (so one platform at Falcon would be unused).

For #2, I assumed that they wouldn't add a switch later (since they are going to the trouble of adding the switches and stub track anyways, why go halfway?

For #3 and #4 make sense - having a shuttle - but it's such a short segment for a shuttle (but that could mean high frequency).

For #5, that's not good for Coquitlam City Centre.

For 3, 4 or 5, they could do a short-turn from Coquitlam or PoCo to Moody Centre where there is a storage track. I could see the short turn to Coquitlam and Coquitlam being a stub longer than PoCo (whihch more logically leads to Maple Ridge than a more northerly route).

For #6, I've seen that, but if you don't have enough time to get to the platform, you can still be stuck and have to switch platforms.

Originally Posted by nname

And this is what I gather from Appendix I - the potential track map for the line! This document is even older though (dated 2011) - it still have Cameron station, so I just put it in!

Note: VSF = Vehicle Storage Facility... it is actually just lots of parallel tracks

[nname]

What about use 4 different routings:
1. VCC -> PoCo, through platform 4
2. PoCo -> Coquitlam, terminating at platform 3
3. Coquitlam -> Lafarge, start from platform 2
4. Lafarge -> VCC, through platform 1

Route 2 and 3 can be combined so it start on only platform 3, or all 4 routes can be combined so they run like a loop service.

[Jebby]

The extension to PoCo won't be built be built for about another 30 years, IMO.

By that time Coquitlam Central Station will be in need of renovations. This would be my suggestion:

Side Platform 1
<---- Lafarge-Douglas to VCC (UBC) <----
Island Platform 2
<----- Port Coquitlam to VCC (UBC) <-----
----> VCC (UBC) to Port Coquitlam ---->
Island Platform 3
----> VCC (UBC) to Lafarge-Douglas ----> (with a flyover crossing the PoCo tracks)

This would require completely rebuilding the station, meaning it will never happen.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by nname

What about use 4 different routings:
1. VCC -> PoCo, through platform 4
2. PoCo -> Coquitlam, terminating at platform 3
3. Coquitlam -> Lafarge, start from platform 2
4. Lafarge -> VCC, through platform 1

Route 2 and 3 can be combined so it start on only platform 3, or all 4 routes can be combined so they run like a loop service.

The trackage supports that.
A few forced transfers in there, but if Coquitlam is supposed to be the Second Metro Core for the North side of the Fraser (like Surrey for the South), may there'll be demand from PoCo / Maple Ridge to Coquitlam.
In the off-hours, with low frequency, and if there are, say 2 stations for each branch, transferring may just get you back onto the same train you exitted as it makes the rounds.

[red-paladin]

At the very least, when the line is open, there should be a B line from Coquitlam Central down lougheed to Haney.

[GlassCity]

Good idea, maybe have it go Shaughnessy-Wilson-Kingsway-Mary Hill Bypass-Lougheed

[Olden Retreiver]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

At the very least, when the line is open, there should be a B line from Coquitlam Central down lougheed to Haney.

PoCo's new Master Transportion Plan, looking forward 30 to 40 year, calls for rapid transit along Loughheed, with frequent bus service on both the North Side and South Side connecting to Coquitlam centre.

http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/City_Hall/City_Publications/Master_Transportation_Plan.htm

In the interim, that through route along Lougheed is essentially the 701 bus, or an enhanced version of the 701. Interestingly, the Mayor (who is also Chair of Metro Van) voted against the plan because he said it doesn't offer enough to get people out of their cars.

[officedweller]

Seems to make more sense for any Evergreen Line extension to follow the CP RoW to downtown PoCo, then to divert north to Lougheed Highway.

****

Work is starting in Downtown Coquitlam for the guideway and station columns:

http://www.tricitynews.com/news/232725401.html

[xd_1771]

In the interim, that through route along Lougheed is essentially the 701 bus, or an enhanced version of the 701. Interestingly, the Mayor (who is also Chair of Metro Van) voted against the plan because he said it doesn't offer enough to get people out of their cars.

Go PoCo mayor! if only some people South of Fraser would do the same.

[red-paladin]

Thanks for bringing up Poco's master plan. I should have known about that, but didn't for some reason
(Edit) Ah, I see it's from this month.

[dpogue]

Video from Lougheed Station this morning.

The column by the White Spot is definitely taking shape.

[SpongeG]

• Video Link

[cairnstone]

Gantry Crain at Como Lake was set up last night. Wont be long and the guide way will be started

[finalcoolman]

Originally Posted by cairnstone

Gantry Crain at Como Lake was set up last night. Wont be long and the guide way will be started

No, it was only half set up. They will complete the second half of the set-up on the weekend of November 30th-December 1st.

[queetz@home]

Originally Posted by finalcoolman

No, it was only half set up. They will complete the second half of the set-up on the weekend of November 30th-December 1st.

I went to SFU last night but took a small detour to see the site. I did see the half setup gantry crane and its looking really good.

One thing I did notice in the Lougheed Mall area, the columns near WhiteSpot is all covered up, and seem to have a large T form of sorts. There is I think two (or three) column rebars in North Road itself by the Lougheed Mall area. It was dark so I couldn't see much.

The part of North Road that doesn't have columns are between (or just before) Austin Avenue and Cottonwood, but most of the holes are there. I don't know if weather and holidays would slow down the progress, but if not, then all the columns could be in place by mid January at this rate.

[jsbertram]

Arrival of the Tunnel Boring Machine In the North Tunnel Portal Area

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) that will be used to construct the two-kilometre tunnel between Port Moody and Coquitlam will be delivered at night to the north tunnel portal area in Port Moody starting the week of December 2.

more info:
http://egrtconstruction.ca/wp-content/up...n-the-North-Tunnel-Portal-Area-FINAL.pdf


keep your eyes glued to the portal pit webcam this month.
(I'm not sure what you'll see once the parts are lowered into the pit)

[nname]

From the document:

There will only be a single bored tunnel with a concrete wall between the tracks to separate trains travelling in opposite directions.

[officedweller]

Awww, a concrete wall? Turin's VAL doesn't have a concrete wall.

[queetz@home]

If you look at the webcam now, you can see the big piece that has arrived right now. Its part of the lower section of the TBM. Looks very large....I guess 9 more pieces to go.