Posts: 619
Threads: 4
Joined: Jul 2016
Reputation:
22
(07-23-2017, 09:01 PM)Canard Wrote: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice to see grading works beginning at the interface of the Laurel Trail and R&T Park station! Can't wait for Ken Hall's "Network". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrLRT?src=hash">#wrLRT</a> <a href="https://t.co/LtwNBei7mT">pic.twitter.com/LtwNBei7mT</a></p>— Iain Hendry (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/889138638474403840">July 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cool! Didn't expect to see cosmetic TPSS shroud panels installed. Hope other critical areas can have too. Nicely done! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrLRT?src=hash">#wrLRT</a> <a href="https://t.co/ecCQVXOH4w">pic.twitter.com/ecCQVXOH4w</a></p>— Iain Hendry (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/889144583942221824">July 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
Wow... what a boring and sterile wall.
Posts: 10,623
Threads: 67
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
347
(07-24-2017, 10:36 AM)urbd Wrote: Wow... what a boring and sterile wall.
So ... I think it's better-looking than the TPSS itself. Not exciting, but at least has some texture.
Posts: 6,905
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
224
(07-24-2017, 10:36 AM)urbd Wrote: Wow... what a boring and sterile wall.
Do you think the TPSS looked better without it?
Posts: 2,438
Threads: 8
Joined: Aug 2014
Reputation:
61
I wonder how much the wall cost. I don't think it looks thousands of dollars better than the TPSS (I don't happen to think they look that bad, though).
Posts: 4,525
Threads: 16
Joined: Aug 2014
Reputation:
138
I don't think they could have done much better in the built context at Conestoga, no.
Other TPSSes and signal boxes have more greenery around them, though, and I'd like to see plantings like tall shrubs used in those spots. Honestly, the entire project could use more greenery, period.
Posts: 6,905
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
224
It looks the worst when it's at this stage (everything almost complete, but still dirt) - as soon as the sod goes in, it looks infinitely better, I find.
There is a lot of bare, open concrete, though - I'm looking at you, South end of Kitchener Market station!
There are plants going in at lots of places, though, like Waterloo Public Square, and the access to FDB Drive across the tracks.
Posts: 2,163
Threads: 17
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
77
My guess is that the concrete wall there is in part a crash defense mechanism. There are no other places where they're right in front of a road where cars drive toward them.
Posts: 6,905
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
224
Hmm, I... I honestly can't imagine that's the case. It's a parking lot for CIBC. Based on the amount of damage that happened at Columbia, I would think that one is far more vulnerable! And the one at Block Line. If they wanted protection from a crash, they would have just put in those big round vertical columns, or an MTO-approved steel guardrail-type barrier. These wall panels will just crack if you drove into them. Pretty sure they are cosmetic.
My guess is this is buried somewhere in the Project Agreement that certain areas require them.
Posts: 6,634
Threads: 38
Joined: Aug 2014
Reputation:
110
(07-24-2017, 11:27 AM)Canard Wrote: It looks the worst when it's at this stage (everything almost complete, but still dirt) - as soon as the sod goes in, it looks infinitely better, I find.
There is a lot of bare, open concrete, though - I'm looking at you, South end of Kitchener Market station!
There are plants going in at lots of places, though, like Waterloo Public Square, and the access to FDB Drive across the tracks.
East end, perhaps? 
Posts: 6,905
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
224
I had asked the project team about something I thought about on the weekend.
Right now, pedestrians are guided through the Grade Separation on the road. The sidewalks look to be weeks away - still bare earth, ungraded, under the tracks and further South toward Victoria.
If the plan is to re-open this to traffic on Friday, where will pedestrians will be accommodated?
Apparently, they're going to fast-track one of the two paths/MUT's through the underpass. I'm curious if this will be possible! The amount of work to be done to pull this off looks too great, but GrandLinq has surprised in the past with big pushes at the last possible moment.
Posts: 10,623
Threads: 67
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
347
I don't think the sidewalk (MUT) construction is really that complicated. Just need a focused effort!
Posts: 1,206
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2015
Reputation:
37
(07-24-2017, 04:23 PM)tomh009 Wrote: I don't think the sidewalk (MUT) construction is really that complicated. Just need a focused effort!
And enough time for the concrete to set?
Posts: 6,905
Threads: 32
Joined: Oct 2014
Reputation:
224
Given this reply about the timeline for completion of a ~3m section, I'd beg to differ!
In all seriousness - they need to properly fill the earth, grade it, flaten it, build the forms, pour the concrete, let it set, remove the forms, backfill the edges and then do whatever other treatment in the area is required.
That's the bare minimum - and all has to be carried out within the confines of the retaining walls on both sides (embankment/bridge sides, and the retaining wall separating the MUT from the road).
Posts: 4,525
Threads: 16
Joined: Aug 2014
Reputation:
138
Could they do a temporary one in asphalt, and redo in concrete later?
Posts: 1,709
Threads: 2
Joined: Aug 2014
Reputation:
35
Sounds like there's likely to be closures to that road (albeit temporary) to create this MUT. Would be difficult to imagine them doing it without using up enough of the roadway as to stop traffic from passing through.
|
