06-28-2021, 06:40 PM
(06-28-2021, 06:19 PM)jamincan Wrote:(06-28-2021, 04:08 PM)ac3r Wrote: Well I know you can design a tunnel to be wider and better lit, but it's still an enclosed space and that makes people nervous. The wider you make it and the more lighting you put in, the more the costs go up to construct and maintain it. Private developers want to make money, so they'll go with the cheapest option.
I'd have no problem walking through one since I've lived in cities like Berlin where they are everywhere, but what about the experience for a 15 year old girl or young university student? Women feel nervous just walking down the street after dark these days due to how often they get harassed. It could very well end up being a waste of money if not that many people used it, which then increases how dilatated it ends up becoming. I'm sure the developer/architects considered a tunnel, but realized a bridge is a lot cheaper and arguably safer for people.
Also, I'm not sure what greenspace you're referring to around here. The little forest beside the ION facility is ROW property and fenced in as it's part of their property, likely for future expansion of the facility. Everything else belongs to private property owners or the MTO. I'm not sure why you'd want to connect to Dutton Drive either, there is nothing there. The bridge will provide direct access to Northfield Station which makes a lot more sense.
It would be nice if they could somehow connect the Laurel Trail to Northfield Station and the trail to St. Jacob's. The offices at the end of Dutton get in the way of this, unfortunately.
As far as I'm aware, there will be a MUT along Weber between Albert and Parkside in order to make this connection between the Laurel trail and the trail to the Farmer's Market. As for the connection to Northfield station, it would be believable if they were trying not too. The Farmer's market trail goes on the wrong side of Northfield. But it's okay, there's a crossing, except the fire hall is in the way. Of course, they could have built real infra along Northfield Dr. but there's a dead horse that still gets regular beatings.