11-14-2014, 07:53 PM
I'm not sure if this was discussed ever on WonderfulWaterloo, but despite it being much too late to change anything in the design, it may be fun to consider.
[Fantasy proposal]
I was mulling over a thought in my head as to how to skip stopping traffic on University and Columbia every few minutes when a train passed based on the concept of the tunnelling on the Georgetown South project in Toronto.
Based on Google Earth, the West Toronto Diamond requires about 500 metres to drop below grade and return. So based on this logic, there is enough space between R&T Park station and Columbia to make the required transition. The south end would be trickier requiring an adjustment of grade to Seagram to cross over the line partially below grade. It would also require Waterloo Park / Seagram station to be on a slight incline in order for the tracks to be back up at grade by the zoo in order to safely cross above Laurel Creek.
University Station would be below-grade and allow for at-grade pedestrian overpasses at each end of the station to get from one side of campus to the other.
Benefits:
Avoids stopping University and Columbia traffic
Drops train below grade through University area and even into the UWP area to allow noise to dissipate in the trench
Creates numerous opportunities for "gateway" connections between main campus at Waterloo and the East Campus via bridges and other structures to aid in pedestrian flow.
Challenges:
Closing University and Columbia for time required to trench
Cost of project increases substantially
Potential of falls into trench
Grade changes required on Seagram
Incline of station at Waterloo Park
Possible water table issues in Waterloo Park
[/Fantasy Proposal]
[Fantasy proposal]
I was mulling over a thought in my head as to how to skip stopping traffic on University and Columbia every few minutes when a train passed based on the concept of the tunnelling on the Georgetown South project in Toronto.
Based on Google Earth, the West Toronto Diamond requires about 500 metres to drop below grade and return. So based on this logic, there is enough space between R&T Park station and Columbia to make the required transition. The south end would be trickier requiring an adjustment of grade to Seagram to cross over the line partially below grade. It would also require Waterloo Park / Seagram station to be on a slight incline in order for the tracks to be back up at grade by the zoo in order to safely cross above Laurel Creek.
University Station would be below-grade and allow for at-grade pedestrian overpasses at each end of the station to get from one side of campus to the other.
Benefits:
Avoids stopping University and Columbia traffic
Drops train below grade through University area and even into the UWP area to allow noise to dissipate in the trench
Creates numerous opportunities for "gateway" connections between main campus at Waterloo and the East Campus via bridges and other structures to aid in pedestrian flow.
Challenges:
Closing University and Columbia for time required to trench
Cost of project increases substantially
Potential of falls into trench
Grade changes required on Seagram
Incline of station at Waterloo Park
Possible water table issues in Waterloo Park
[/Fantasy Proposal]