07-25-2022, 06:25 PM
(07-25-2022, 01:30 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:(07-25-2022, 12:15 PM)Bytor Wrote: I've been looking at the satellite photos of Northfield over the Expressway, and I must admit that I just don't see away to do that bike lane any differently.
The most unique suggestion I saw was that you could remove the bike lanes and add a 3 meter MUT (or wider if you also lose the sidewalks) along the middle of the ION right of way. That would be very protected and very safe. That was suggested and rejected by the team.
It wouldn't be ideal for peds and cyclists, because you'd have to cross at the northfield station and again at Colby, but if they were willing to time the lights reasonably it could be done.
Of course, since there is room for a MUT you could easily have put one on the south side (4.5 meters wide 2x 1.5 m bike lanes + 1.5m sidewalk at least) still not ideal because you struggle to reconnect with the bike lanes on the other side.
Of course, we can also imagine some more drastic solutions. For example, the crossing could be brought to a signalized intersection and the slip ramps removed. Yes, this would slow drivers slight...the horror, but the crossing could be made safe there and there'd also be no need for the extra lane on the bridge giving enough space for MUTs on both sides.
Ultimately there's lots of options but all of them involve reducing the prioritization for cars.
A MUT in the middle of the ION right of way is ridiculous. First off there are the catenary poles. Second, the centre lines of the tracks are 4.5m and the sides of the trams are less than 2m apart when the so there's not enough room in the for a MUT even without catenary poles.