(05-10-2021, 10:46 PM)nms Wrote: I have more than enough local knowledge of the University of Waterloo campus, thank you. The two crossings that flank the University Shops Plaza come to mind as the most superfluous. Given that there is a sidewalk crossing twenty metres south at University Ave, and another one 40 m north (the entrance to E5/6/7) that would have eliminated two crossings. For that matter, and if the University had planned ahead, E5/6/7 could have been shifted north of East Campus Hall to funnel all pedestrian traffic across the William Tutte Way pathway. Coincidentally, 40m appears to be the distance that major east-west pathway through Waterloo Park was shifted in order to connect to the WLU-Seagram station. A convenient path of travel, particularly if you weren't connecting to the LRT station was moved so you had to connect to the LRT station. If it could be done in Waterloo Park, which not on the UW campus? I also wonder what will happen to the E5/6/7 crossing when the LRT platform is lengthened. I seem to recall seeing elsewhere that the platforms would be eventually doubled in length.
Incorrect. The superfluous crossing is the half-crossing from the platform to the bike path. A path should have connected the end of the platform to the E5 crossing. This would keep traffic to and from the platform off the bike path while avoiding the need for people accessing E5 to cross the southbound track twice.
Given the pedestrian volumes involved, the idea that the crossing just north of the mall would be closed is entirely inappropriate. The one just south of the mall isn’t quite as essential, but even there there really is no justification for making thousands of pedestrians every day detour down to University Ave.
I agree that a better job might have been possible if the University’s campus plans had been coordinated with the LRT. In particular, I think it’s pretty ridiculous that the station isn’t essentially built into a University building (nor is there a foreseeable route to that ever happening). As far as I’m concerned I should be able to go to Conestoga Mall for lunch in the middle of Winter without bringing my coat.
As to the platforms, they are already built doubled. When we start running two car trains the only change that will be needed is to install more of the black sections of flooring at the doorways, and extend the shelter structures and possibly other platform facilities.