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The thing to do now is to evaluate the Maple Grove routing against the other alternative always on the table, 'Do Nothing.'
@DHLawrence, I don't think you can compare the R&T Park to Maple Grove. A station at Maple Grove and Fountain would theoretically serve Toyota and Loblaw's, but I think it's highly unlikely that a significant number of Toyota employees would walk across fields of parking from the Ion stop to the factory. Nor is there a lot of redevelopment opportunity- Toyota is not (we hope) going anywhere any time soon.
I'd be curious to learn about other LRT systems that go through industrial areas. It doesn't seem the best idea at all, unless those industrial areas really do happen to be on the way.
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I confess to being a Phase 2 sceptic, but this discussion has me wondering - it's not surprising to hope that the LRT will follow an optimal route, but if the main practical impact will be to intensify development along Hespeler Rd and in the Galt core (is that the main expected impact?), does it much matter how the trains get there (as long as it's not some "milk run")?
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07-10-2017, 09:38 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-10-2017, 10:02 AM by dunkalunk.)
Yes. I won't go to a pub in Galt if it takes me an hour. To extend that thought people in Kitchener will not go to Cambridge or vice versa if the trip takes too long and appears to take them too far out of the way. Sure, LRT can be a development tool, however, the primary goal of LRT should be to move people.
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LRT can concentrate development and meet intensification targets in ways that BRT can't. Thats why we built LRT instead of BRT or nothing. This of course doesn't mean that the route shouldn't be designed in a way that moves people efficiently, and will continue to do so in 20 years' time.
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What's the difference in distance and travel time between Sportsworld and Pinebush between the two proposed segments?
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I'm trying to think of some way it could follow the rail alignment from Sportsworld and go at slightly higher off-road speeds, but I can't see it happening. I'd love to see it follow the rail alignment through Preston (either partly on the old CPR alignment behind Eagle or switching to on-Eagle trackage), but the cost would skyrocket. Plus there would be a single-track bottleneck when it passes the Geo. Pattison factory.
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I think the original hope by the region was to get the route approved quickly before politicians switched into 2018 re-election mode and while the provincial and federal taps are gushing. Now with this bit of political theatre I think the approach by the region will be to slow things down so the final decision is after the 2018 elections and the politicians can then claim both standing up for constituents and taking a sober second thought before ultimately making a logical and sound choice on the routing with the hope that all will be forgotten or put in perspective come 2022 elections.
Everyone move to the back of the bus and we all get home faster.
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As long as they switch the approach to Preston I'll be happy. I can only think of two buildings on Eagle of even the remotest architectural merit that might be affected. I'd like it if the wood shop stayed, but that's more sentimental.
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I don't know how much opposition would happen if the region was able to stick with one of its initial routes, either using the existing tracks infront of riverside park to get to eagle or navigating down the hill and getting on fountain/king to eagle.
