I like saving $500 million, and going with option B vs option D, but I don't like eating up a huge chunk of the east end of Princes Island Park.
Especially when the transition to underground would have to be right in the flood plain, and thus would likely require flood walls. It would have to be a big monstrosity, in such a prominent location. $500 million savings could do a lot in terms of doing other things to beautify and improve the area around it, but we would still have lost something, worth more than we think. Almost undoubtedly, the narrow south portion of the Bow river in between the island and downtown, would cease to exist - at the very least at the east end ofthe island when the LRT comes down to the ground. The wetland at the East end of island would likely be destroyed too.
Deep stations have been used elsewhere, and cities have made them work.
Again, I don't think option A makes sense. Even with the train line, there still will be numerous busses crossing Centre Street Bridge. I don't think you can sacrifice two lanes of the bridge for LRT, becasue I think that may force some extra lanes to have to be built somewhere else, eating up a big chunk of the savings. I think to make that option work as described, will involve eating up good property up in crescent heights to make the transitions between the roadway and the tunnels under 16th ave. This will be prime land right along centre street, and will mostly ruin the possibility of turning Centre Street into a nice high street.
Option C is in some ways less disruptive to princes island park than Option B, since at least the park could continue underneath the guideway. The elevated guideway would be terrible for 2nd Street SW though.
If we can figure out a way to afford it (and I think if we can afford the whole project, we can afford the $500 million extra), I think the option to go with is option D.
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