crs1026
Superstar
This discussion always seems to come back to someone's idea that elevated transit would look cool on the skyscape so let's build it and make extravagant efforts to argue that it was the best solution all along. I find the merits a bit contrived.
The decision process for rail transit on Eglinton West should begin with an examination of whether the lowest-cost solution (ie middle of road LRT) will do the job. If so, no need to seek a "fancier" solution. There are some very valid arguments about why Smarttrack should not go down this corridor at all, which need to be considered, before anyone discusses what mode Eglinton West actually needs.
If any solution other than center-of-road LRT becomes preferred, then you will likely see some stretches of the line being elevated. This will happen for the same reason that the Dundas West-Keele and Jane-Old Mill sections of the B-D Subway were elevated: topography. It makes eminent sense to cross those deep creek beds on an elevated structure, and to ease the gradients by going underground to miss the highest spots.
This does not mean however that if one part of the line becomes elevated, the whole line must be elevated. I would hope we would defer to the engineers and designers to figure out what is needed where, to keep costs down and provide the best overall solution.
If someone has a dream about a cityscape with trains whizzing by in the air, I'd suggest sticking to old Jetsons DVD's.
Lastly, the discussion so far has been about how it looks, and not enough about how it sounds. Vancouver's Skytrain works well because the trains are light and don't make a lot of noise. The Dundas West-Keele segments, and the Castle Frank segment for that matter, work poorly because the B-D is heavy rail and trains are loud. Smarttrack certainly sounds like it will be "heavy" (and noisy) technology. I don't think people on Indian Road will tell you that it's a picnic living next to that open section. Nor would I want to live next to Chicago's EL, no matter how funky it is to enjoy as a tourist.
- Paul
The decision process for rail transit on Eglinton West should begin with an examination of whether the lowest-cost solution (ie middle of road LRT) will do the job. If so, no need to seek a "fancier" solution. There are some very valid arguments about why Smarttrack should not go down this corridor at all, which need to be considered, before anyone discusses what mode Eglinton West actually needs.
If any solution other than center-of-road LRT becomes preferred, then you will likely see some stretches of the line being elevated. This will happen for the same reason that the Dundas West-Keele and Jane-Old Mill sections of the B-D Subway were elevated: topography. It makes eminent sense to cross those deep creek beds on an elevated structure, and to ease the gradients by going underground to miss the highest spots.
This does not mean however that if one part of the line becomes elevated, the whole line must be elevated. I would hope we would defer to the engineers and designers to figure out what is needed where, to keep costs down and provide the best overall solution.
If someone has a dream about a cityscape with trains whizzing by in the air, I'd suggest sticking to old Jetsons DVD's.
Lastly, the discussion so far has been about how it looks, and not enough about how it sounds. Vancouver's Skytrain works well because the trains are light and don't make a lot of noise. The Dundas West-Keele segments, and the Castle Frank segment for that matter, work poorly because the B-D is heavy rail and trains are loud. Smarttrack certainly sounds like it will be "heavy" (and noisy) technology. I don't think people on Indian Road will tell you that it's a picnic living next to that open section. Nor would I want to live next to Chicago's EL, no matter how funky it is to enjoy as a tourist.
- Paul
