Quote:
Originally Posted by Torture
....but they have funding right now....
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Build the full ROW (at least as much as possible with current land acquisition) including a tunnel from McHugh bluff to north side of 16th. Do the full cut and cover through downtown with all of the underground stations. Consider adding an extra portal at the furthest SW point (12th ave and 2 st) so it can potentially be used by other bus lines.
Better yet, take this opportunity to build the tunnel under 7 Ave, as has long been planned to separate red and blue lines. 7 Ave is already shared between 2 trains and numerous bus lines - no reason each level can't do the same thing (but with greater efficiency). Obviously this would be a substantial change with many implications...you could tie in the 6th St SE underpass after a quick double back from the event centre. There are just so many more effective ways to use this money - it simply requires a little negotiation with a federal government who is now twice removed from the one who made the commitment contingent on train tracks.
Immediate scope of new maintenance facility can be adjusted to be built in stages (or completely reconsidered back to Aurora location).
Build all of the possible 'hard parts' now (interchanges, tunnels) - then it will be far quicker and easier to lay track for the north section once necessary land is acquired. If you can actually fill articulated buses for the SE, then lay tracks there, too.
Several big benefits of BRT/transitway that are overlooked - each section can be operationalized very quickly and make a significant difference, and they can be used by multiple routes.