(07-09-2017, 02:07 PM)tomh009 Wrote:(07-09-2017, 01:54 PM)mpd618 Wrote: I object. It's a long bypass that would get zero ridership, probably reduce ridership from further along the line (depending on relative overall speed of the options), and it has little transit-oriented development interest.
I agree. To get the full benefit of LRT, it needs to run through urban areas with additional intensification potential.
Otherwise we might as well run it to Elmira instead.
Actually I happen to think that an Elmira route would make a lot of sense. Google Maps tells me that it is 12km from Northfield to “Elmira ON” which is very close to where the tracks end at Chemtura. At not quite 80km/h, a single vehicle shuttling back and forth could provide 20 minute headway. Since it would be a single vehicle, all that would be needed would be upgrade of the existing track and installation of OCS and single platforms, probably at the Market, in St. Jacobs, and one or two in Elmira. No signalling or switches (other than existing switches). Later an improvement to 10 minute headway could be had by installing a short two-track passing section halfway to Elmira.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/43.499324...!3e0?hl=en
Combined with a strategy to encourage development near the stations, this would be a significant improvement in transit linkage to Elmira. An apartment building built directly over a station platform would be effectively closer to UW for students than almost anything in Waterloo.
This is another reason they should have considered building a platform between the freight and southbound LRT tracks: it could be used by the tourist train until such time as upgrade to LRT is considered feasible.