02-28-2024, 01:01 PM
(02-28-2024, 10:31 AM)danbrotherston Wrote:I didn't think of the need for a second maintenance facility, so I take back what I said. That seems like it would be needlessly redundant. The cynic in me says that Cambridge may actually prefer to have their own system, since they don't seem to want to share resources with the rest of the Region. Considering the article says that this will be 100% provincially and federally funded, it doesn't matter as much to me if they want to spend a little extra on the new facility instead of on a bridge over the Grand.(02-28-2024, 10:02 AM)SF22 Wrote: How could there be a separated Cambridge line? You'd have to build a second maintenance building in Cambridge somewhere, which would be another large land acquisition and then the cost to actually build the thing. I'd love to see the breakdown of cost on that option vs the original Cross-The-Grand plan.
"If approved, Phase 2 construction could start in 2032 and would likely take five or six years." So looking at 2037/38 as our best-case scenario, which is EIGHTEEN YEARS after the completion of Phase 1 (June 2019). Was there ever any indication that it would take so long? If they are serious about doing a Phase 3, I sincerely hope that we get started on the proposals long before Phase 2 is underway.
I kinda figured this would be the timeframe...honestly...but I'm a cynic.
I think a separated line doesn't make much sense. Cambridge just by itself probably doesn't justify an LRT. And without connecting to the rest of the region it doesn't serve as a regional connector/integrator. If the city was large enough, it probably would make sense, but it just isn't that big.
Honestly, I am disappointed. I want to see politicians push back on these absurd cost projections. Chuck at Strongtowns had a good podcast recently about the problems with procurement in NA.
I do disagree with the idea that Cambridge doesn't warrant an LRT by itself. In the Canadian context, sure, it shouldn't have one. But we've all seen enough NJB videos to know that we shouldn't be striving to meet "Canadian" standards. I think having some sort of robust transit backbone could do wonders for the city.