02-17-2023, 04:09 PM
(02-17-2023, 11:41 AM)westwardloo Wrote: My question is, why not build a grade separated crossing similar to Margaret Ave? Lancaster at Victoria St is already higher than the rail crossing and could be built up easily. It would require remove access to the one garage property and the shell station, then some regrading to all Breithaupt meet Lancaster on the other side of the crossing. Lancaster is a major throughway, it may not seem like it compared to the suburban streets. Even after HWY 7 is built Lancaster will serve as a major connection for Bridgeport and Lancaster residents to get Downtown. I think it would be a mistake for the region to close this crossing to car traffic, I do think it need to be grade separated so GO/ VIA trains can travel faster through that section. St. Leger st could be closed with a pedestrian bridge built though.
Because it is expensive and not needed.
Keep in mind that the Highway 7 project includes connecting roads that join Wellington St. at the highway ramps to Bruce St. and Edna St., crossing under the rail line and Victoria St.
Once these are built, a driver who now uses Lancaster St. would have a choice of using the link roads on either side of the expressway, or the Margaret St. bridge or even the St. Leger crossing which I believe is far enough away from the yard not to be subject to the extensive switching delays. If you look at where they might actually be going, these reroutings are for almost all trips not a problem. It’s not that somebody would come down Lancaster, detour along Wellington to the expressway, then down the link road, up Edna, and back along Victoria to Lancaster; rather, they would take an alternate route entirely. For example, from Lancaster & Guelph to Lancaster & Frederick; instead of heading down Lancaster, take Guelph to Margaret and down Margaret to Frederick. Other trips would be even less affected. Somebody who gets off the expressway at Lancaster could just get off at Wellington and use the new link road. This is part of the reason why there is discussion of closing the Lancaster ramps; they are similarly not needed. Essentially, Lancaster is a poor choice as a through route and should be re-imagined as a neighbourhood street. Direct connections to the expressway and the ability for cars to use it to cross the railway are not needed.