Quote:
Originally Posted by llama64
Well, if Calgary would stop being so stingy with it's transit system and put it UNDERGROUND, perhaps we wouldn't be inconvenienced for 30-90 min every couple months due to people getting hit.
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In a perfect world, you may be correct. Underground would efficient as you don't need to coordinate with traffic, minimal complaints from property owners about lowering property value, noise reduction...
However, from the consultants I talk to that deal with city/LRT planning, the simple fact is that building an underground station/track require 10X the money and the construction time.
Also, maintenance and safety costs increase, as it is harder to monitor sections of the track that are underground. Water, snow, garbage that gets into tunnels is harder to spot. Animals accidents become more common (generally rats and small creatures of course) while underground as well.
Interesting thing, and entirely related. The way NYC has been built and settled, Engineers have to remove millions of gallons of water everyday to prevent the subway tunnels from flooding.