Confederation Line West LRT Extension (Stage 2) [Tunney's to Baseline/Moodie] | U/C

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

We have been waiting for this connection to the Queensway since the Greber Plan of the 1940s. The SJAM was opened to Carling Avenue in 1967.

The 416 freeway corridor was originally slated for Merivale but when that got built up it got moved to the Woodroffe corridor. The wide greenspace where the pathway runs through Bel Air Park was somewhat reserved as its junction with the Queensway. I believe the parkway wasn't supposed to connect with the Queensway but rather split off from the proposed 416 at about where Baseline station is, much like the Aviation parkway is accessible from the 417 but not from what is now the 174. Of course this all got canned when they decided to eventually move the routing of the 416 much farther west in the late 1980s.

[Kitchissippi]

I'm still wondering about how the LRT route between Cleary and New Orchard is shown on GeoOttawa. Normally they seem to be fairly accurate on indicating where the tracks are laid right down to the switch placement, but they are still shown far apart here, as wide as a centre platform apart between the entire length from Sherbourne to Woodland.

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I'm still wondering about how the LRT route between Cleary and New Orchard is shown on GeoOttawa. Normally they seem to be fairly accurate on indicating where the tracks are laid right down to the switch placement, but they are still shown far apart here, as wide as a centre platform apart between the entire length from Sherbourne to Woodland.

In terms of track geometry, keeping them wide apart like that keeps the tracks straight and in theory allows for faster speeds through the tunnel.

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I'm still wondering about how the LRT route between Cleary and New Orchard is shown on GeoOttawa. Normally they seem to be fairly accurate on indicating where the tracks are laid right down to the switch placement, but they are still shown far apart here, as wide as a centre platform apart between the entire length from Sherbourne to Woodland.

Good Day.

Yes, this has been noted before. It is a good question, but.....

There is still a pocket track indicated east of Limebank station, and as per the Trillium Line Stage 2 thread, we have been told that this was inaccurate and to await an update in which it would be removed. We yet await that update. (We know not their update/maintenance program/schedule.)

So this may be a similar inaccuracy, based upon best-info-available at the time of the last modification, by those maintaining GeoOttawa.

Or it's something else entirely (only City, the original three proponents, and the now selected EWC know for sure <snort>).

Possibly we will get more and better info at the yet-to-be-announced info session for Dominion to Algonquin ? (hope hope hope ?) !

EnJoy?

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

In terms of track geometry, keeping them wide apart like that keeps the tracks straight and in theory allows for faster speeds through the tunnel.

Good Day.

I'd go with you on that except that would mean excavating way much more material, which is more expensive....

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by PHrenetic

Good Day.

I'd go with you on that except that would mean excavating way much more material, which is more expensive....

It's a bit of a toss-up. Maybe it's somehow cheaper to build one straight cut-and-cover tunnel instead of having catchments at each end of the stations for the tracks to come back together. Had they opted for side platforms, they could have built a narrower cut-and-cover tunnel with simple station boxes (or "U" since they are open-trench), but then we'd incur extra expenses by doubling vertical circulation.

The wide tunnel also provides a centre pathway for maintenance workers and emergency evacuations. That might have been part of the equation.

My fear is that the Byron Linear Park will never be restored to its former glory due to the shallow depth of the soil. Had the tunnel been narrower, there might have been more space.

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's a bit of a toss-up. Maybe it's somehow cheaper to build one straight cut-and-cover tunnel instead of having catchments at each end of the stations for the tracks to come back together. Had they opted for side platforms, they could have built a narrower cut-and-cover tunnel with simple station boxes (or "U" since they are open-trench), but then we'd incur extra expenses by doubling vertical circulation.

The wide tunnel also provides a centre pathway for maintenance workers and emergency evacuations. That might have been part of the equation.

My fear is that the Byron Linear Park will never be restored to its former glory due to the shallow depth of the soil. Had the tunnel been narrower, there might have been more space.

Good Day.

Yes, it is a back-and-forth discussion with no hard info. We Shall See.

As for the depth, , shared and agreed. Even shallow-root tree species will experience difficulty.

NoJoy!

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by PHrenetic

Good Day.

I'd go with you on that except that would mean excavating way much more material, which is more expensive....

Straight tracks do cost less to maintain in the long run, which could also have had an influence.

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

Straight tracks do cost less to maintain in the long run, which could also have had an influence.

Better for the tracks and better for the trains

[Southpaw78]

Can anyone share info on the track between Pinecrest and Queensway stations? I understand it's to go along the north side of the Queensway, but when you look at what real estate is there, it doesn't remotely seem wide enough to accommodate 2 tracks.

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by Southpaw78

Can anyone share info on the track between Pinecrest and Queensway stations? I understand it's to go along the north side of the Queensway, but when you look at what real estate is there, it doesn't remotely seem wide enough to accommodate 2 tracks.

I think Queensway station is no more. Queensview will be the next station after Lincoln Fields going West. Go to http://maps.ottawa.ca/geoOttawa/ and click on "More Layers" and "Rail implementation office". You get a really detailed look at track and station placement. The segment in question:

[OCCheetos]

You can also go here: https://map.otrainfans.ca/#14.45/45.35832/-75.78806/-30

The data is pulled from geoOttawa but doesn't require flash and is a bit easier to use.

[GoTrans]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's a bit of a toss-up. Maybe it's somehow cheaper to build one straight cut-and-cover tunnel instead of having catchments at each end of the stations for the tracks to come back together. Had they opted for side platforms, they could have built a narrower cut-and-cover tunnel with simple station boxes (or "U" since they are open-trench), but then we'd incur extra expenses by doubling vertical circulation.

The wide tunnel also provides a centre pathway for maintenance workers and emergency evacuations. That might have been part of the equation.

My fear is that the Byron Linear Park will never be restored to its former glory due to the shallow depth of the soil. Had the tunnel been narrower, there might have been more space.

The also have to consider the space required for snow accumulation in the open trenches where the stations are.

[Uhuniau]

I still say it was a mistake to not design so as to allow for the continued existence of Queensway station. It makes it a lot harder for future Ottawa to repurpose some Queensway lane-mile-time for bus transit.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Would there be any chance that they would loop the LRT over to Carling Campus for phase 3? Or is that just crazy talk?

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Would there be any chance that they would loop the LRT over to Carling Campus for phase 3? Or is that just crazy talk?

At this point Stage 3 is generally pretty set in stone in the alignment department. The EA was completed last year. A few alignments that looped up North were considered, but none of them were kept. You can see the final proposed alignment here.

[Southpaw78]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

You can also go here: https://map.otrainfans.ca/#14.45/45.35832/-75.78806/-30

The data is pulled from geoOttawa but doesn't require flash and is a bit easier to use.

Thanks for this! It does show it clearly and makes sense now that I see the alignment come out beside the OC Transpo and Leons. Also appreciate the clarification that Queensway station will be no more and Queensview isn't replacing it.

[Uhuniau]

I really hope between now and opening day they come up with better station names than "Cleary" and "New Orchard".

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

At this point Stage 3 is generally pretty set in stone in the alignment department. The EA was completed last year. A few alignments that looped up North were considered, but none of them were kept. You can see the final proposed alignment here.

Well since I'll be long retired and living in a different part of the country by the time Stage 3 is built it really doesn't matter to me.
In the spring, summer and fall it will be a nice walk from Moodie to Carling. Winter will not be nice at all, especially since they don't want to plow the trails.

[Dengler Avenue]

Will the Baseline spur only run up to Lincolnfield then turn around?