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Originally Posted by geoff's two cents
The only major problem with this is the fact that Main would have two less lanes (three, if the city did the logical thing and widened the sidewalks), which - again - brings up the issue of two-way conversion for Main and King, and the whole nasty bunch of problems that go along with that - I'm thinking primarily of the 403 interchanges. In a perfect world, we would either be able to do those conversions, or the city would run LRT between King and Main (George), and go underground at Bay. This would, however, mean buying up property all along the line, demolishing part of the Fortino's plaza, constructing a new bridge across the 403, etc.
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You could take main down to two one-way traffic lanes. LRT on main does not mean a forced two way conversion. However, I think that a 2-way conversion for main and King would be very beneficial - and we'd just nbeed to route local traffic to cannon/wilson - and through traffic can suck it up and take the rhv and linc - or the skyway - just like people use the dvp to get around toronto instead of driving up yonge. people will adjust - the only reason main is so busy right now is because the city has built it to accept that level of traffic!
The 403 ramps always come up and as always, I have to say - they are not a huge problem. Regardless of the street direction, these ramps should be converted to stoplights asap. There is no need to have ramps ONTO main nor off of king. So - you put a light at the end of each ramp and cars have to stop and pick a direction to travel. Yes, of course, it requires reconstruction of the ends of the ramps but it doesn't mean brand new bridges.
Just as in toronto where only some streets connect you to the gardiner, only king and aberdeen will get you onto the 403 - and main stays as a 403 off ramp terminus only (no on ramps from main). it's not as huge an issue as it's made out to be.
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Originally Posted by omro
The only way LRT will directly help retail is by taking people to the retailer, so Eastgate Square Mall will be helped, but that's irrelevant to this part of the discussion. I agree with Flar that having the LRT run past the shops is unlikely to help them. Greater investment on the whole, more money and people in the downtown will help King Street shopping.
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Having LRT running past the shops will help them. The direct benefit of delivering shoppers to the street is definitely a part of it but more importantly, LRT will spur all sorts of development - especially within "Eyeshot" of the rails. Much of this will be residential and, yes, these people will shop at the shops.
In the core, LRT on main will probably have the same effect on king retail as LRT on king (since they are so close together) but where they are further apart, the street chosen will definitely make a difference.
WHat about putting it on king william through the core? it would be pretty cool. but really, I think main is the best choice - for both directions. we need to avoid separating the lines, no matter what street gets chosen.