09-19-2022, 03:29 PM
The public consultation docs can be found here:
https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloocycling (click: Review the presentation materials.)
I am absolutely shocked by the level of detail presented here. I kinda assumed that these were all fairly conceptual, but they've more or less put together a level of design for each option similar to what I would do in Google Maps...which is pretty extensive.
I can see a lot of influence from Kornel Musci here. I'm shocked that they are considering removing a lot of slip lanes and even signalising slip lanes. This is worlds different from the kind of thing the region was building even 2 years ago....so...I'm impressed.
I think given the more clear design, I actually prefer Option 1 now. While it does have more conflicts, because they are willing to remove the slip lanes they are at intersections so I think it's probably a safer and smoother experience for cyclists (no shifting lanes from one side to the other). I still suspect they will go with Option 2 given that it has less impacts on drivers, but I remain surprise and impressed.
If they do go with option 2, I do wonder what kind of driver compliance we will see at the red light for the slip lane. Drivers are not accustomed to stopping at signals on slip lanes...I can see a lot of drivers just blasting through the red.
But yeah, I'm impressed at this point. Of course, we've also yet to see it built (or even funded...and significant funding will be needed).
I do suspect they also haven't engaged with the province or any structural engineers yet. It's no guarantee that the province will allow them to remove the slip lanes, and their proposal for the trail under the bridge I suspect is kind of wishful thinking. I would love to see the bike path on the protected side of the crash barrier, but there is not enough space under the bridge abutments to place it.
In my completely non-structural engineer opinion, it should be possible to use a combination of raising the trail and installing retaining walls to make the space, but I neither know the technical possibility nor cost of doing that. I do know that such an option was deemed impossible for the LRT bridge under Weber St. which is why the Market Trail (Phase 2) does not follow the tracks and instead follows Parkside.
https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloocycling (click: Review the presentation materials.)
I am absolutely shocked by the level of detail presented here. I kinda assumed that these were all fairly conceptual, but they've more or less put together a level of design for each option similar to what I would do in Google Maps...which is pretty extensive.
I can see a lot of influence from Kornel Musci here. I'm shocked that they are considering removing a lot of slip lanes and even signalising slip lanes. This is worlds different from the kind of thing the region was building even 2 years ago....so...I'm impressed.
I think given the more clear design, I actually prefer Option 1 now. While it does have more conflicts, because they are willing to remove the slip lanes they are at intersections so I think it's probably a safer and smoother experience for cyclists (no shifting lanes from one side to the other). I still suspect they will go with Option 2 given that it has less impacts on drivers, but I remain surprise and impressed.
If they do go with option 2, I do wonder what kind of driver compliance we will see at the red light for the slip lane. Drivers are not accustomed to stopping at signals on slip lanes...I can see a lot of drivers just blasting through the red.
But yeah, I'm impressed at this point. Of course, we've also yet to see it built (or even funded...and significant funding will be needed).
I do suspect they also haven't engaged with the province or any structural engineers yet. It's no guarantee that the province will allow them to remove the slip lanes, and their proposal for the trail under the bridge I suspect is kind of wishful thinking. I would love to see the bike path on the protected side of the crash barrier, but there is not enough space under the bridge abutments to place it.
In my completely non-structural engineer opinion, it should be possible to use a combination of raising the trail and installing retaining walls to make the space, but I neither know the technical possibility nor cost of doing that. I do know that such an option was deemed impossible for the LRT bridge under Weber St. which is why the Market Trail (Phase 2) does not follow the tracks and instead follows Parkside.