11-20-2019, 09:41 AM
(11-19-2019, 09:23 AM)jamincan Wrote: Right now, we know that Lancaster is used as route to DTK from both the north via the Expressway, and east via Wellington. Closing the Lancaster crossing would lead to changing travel patterns, but particularly for those coming from the east on Wellington, continuing on Wellington to Margaret is the most likely change they'll make. For those from the north, it's harder to say as there are many more options. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more traffic shift to Margaret instead (Bridgeport->Margaret->Victoria). Is this desirable?
Lancaster is also what you might call a main street in a similar sense to Belmont in that it's kind of the nexus for small restaurants, convenience stores etc. servicing those neighbourhoods. I don't think reducing connectivity for a street like that is desirable. Cutting out a key section of a network is something that should be done very carefully. Sure, it may reduce car traffic on that street, but it will also isolate that neighbourhood significantly as well.
People coming to Lancaster from the east will switch to using the new access roads being built as part of the expressway interchange. Some of them are probably coming off the expressway; for those people, they will be able to just proceed straight ahead where the offramp meets Wellington. I think they will switch even if a grade separation is built at Lancaster. The only question is what people do who are coming down Lancaster; they might use Wellington to get to Margaret, or they might change their entire route.
Overall, I expect traffic on Lancaster at the tracks to be even less than it is now once the interchange is built. At that point, the remaining traffic should be easy to handle on other roads. Keeping a multi-use trail crossing of the tracks, either at grade or a bridge, would ensure that Lancaster doesn’t feel disconnected. I don’t think it’s essential that cars be able to travel through directly.