05-16-2017, 07:32 AM
After a lengthy meeting last night, London voted to scrap the planned tunnel under Richmond Street (which would have allowed buses to avoid the rail crossing on Richmond. That was a very contentious piece among business and property owners.
The other contentious (it seems less so) part was the portion near John Labatt Centre. The decision was to move one direction of BRT to Queens Avenue to reduce the loss of car traffic lanes and parking.
Losing the tunnel is a big deal. The objections relate to the disruptions, but also the cost, of it. I don't see why that is such a big issue given the importance, and the fact that the municipal government was intending to ask for the funding from higher levels of government: it has said that it will "cap" its portion, no matter what system was decided.
London has gone from a $880,000,000 proposal with a mix of LRT and BRT; to a cheaper proposal of BRT on both lines, with a tunnel minimizing delays through Richmond Row; to a $440,000,000 proposal of BRT with no tunnel.
Still, at least they did not divert buses to Wharncliffe. And maybe the current plan won't garner enough detractors to derail it.
The other contentious (it seems less so) part was the portion near John Labatt Centre. The decision was to move one direction of BRT to Queens Avenue to reduce the loss of car traffic lanes and parking.
Losing the tunnel is a big deal. The objections relate to the disruptions, but also the cost, of it. I don't see why that is such a big issue given the importance, and the fact that the municipal government was intending to ask for the funding from higher levels of government: it has said that it will "cap" its portion, no matter what system was decided.
London has gone from a $880,000,000 proposal with a mix of LRT and BRT; to a cheaper proposal of BRT on both lines, with a tunnel minimizing delays through Richmond Row; to a $440,000,000 proposal of BRT with no tunnel.
Still, at least they did not divert buses to Wharncliffe. And maybe the current plan won't garner enough detractors to derail it.