Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Update: Approved] First Leg of the Green Line LRT

powderjunkie · 01-25-2022, 10:04 PM

We've gone from a 4.5B estimate for the ENTIRE line (Seton to 160 Ave) including underground tunnel through downtown and to 16 Ave N. 46km, 28 stations.

Today we are looking at 5.5B+ for:

- 18-20km; 13-15 stations (depending on if they actually build across the Bow)
- Surface level north of downtown
- cut and cover through downtown with less total underground (more disruption)
- to essentially serve the least populated segments (ie. of the 46km line, we are initially building the 15km least populated - hence why the ROW is actually available and ready to go)

I understand the original estimate was obviously low, and things got accelerated quickly from a mid/long-term idea to quicker reality when Harper dangled the pre-election spend. Reducing scope was inevitable...what I can't understand is why every single other thing has been on the table to get cut/reconsidered except for the actual mode of travel (ie. train vs. bus)???

The Elbow River to Shephard is roughly 15km. Ramsay, Inglewood, Ogden, Riverbend, Quarry Park, Douglasdale/glen = 36k residents (give or take a bunch).

Blue Line from old science centre to 69 street is about 7.5km. Much maligned that we should have built the north central line first (I agree). The following communities = 70k (+/-)

Spoiler!

A bunch more communities could be included or not in each list, but I think it's pretty apples to apples in terms of proximity to stations. Of course Mckenzie/Auburn Bay/Cranston/etc add massive populations if we expand beyond the Shephard terminus (though it's about 2.5km from there to 130 Ave where those communities even begin), but there is a lot of population in Aspen/Springbank Hill/West Springs etc. that is much closer and I didn't include for the blue line.

More jobs near the green line, but the vast majority are on the other side of the canal.

I feel like I could rant forever here...what am I missing? This seems like such an obvious boondoggle at this point. Please convince me I'm wrong.

FWIW I am in favour of spending lots of money on transit...but the cost vs. benefit of the current plan makes no sense at all to me.

01-25-2022, 10:04 PM	#466
powderjunkie Franchise Player Join Date: Dec 2011 Exp:	We've gone from a 4.5B estimate for the ENTIRE line (Seton to 160 Ave) including underground tunnel through downtown and to 16 Ave N. 46km, 28 stations. Today we are looking at 5.5B+ for: - 18-20km; 13-15 stations (depending on if they actually build across the Bow) - Surface level north of downtown - cut and cover through downtown with less total underground (more disruption) - to essentially serve the least populated segments (ie. of the 46km line, we are initially building the 15km least populated - hence why the ROW is actually available and ready to go) I understand the original estimate was obviously low, and things got accelerated quickly from a mid/long-term idea to quicker reality when Harper dangled the pre-election spend. Reducing scope was inevitable...what I can't understand is why every single other thing has been on the table to get cut/reconsidered except for the actual mode of travel (ie. train vs. bus)??? The Elbow River to Shephard is roughly 15km. Ramsay, Inglewood, Ogden, Riverbend, Quarry Park, Douglasdale/glen = 36k residents (give or take a bunch). Blue Line from old science centre to 69 street is about 7.5km. Much maligned that we should have built the north central line first (I agree). The following communities = 70k (+/-) Spoiler! Scarboro Sunalta Killarney/Glengarry Shaganappi Rosscarrock Spruce Cliff Wildwood Westgate Glendale Glenbrook Signal Hill Christie Park Strathcona Richmond A bunch more communities could be included or not in each list, but I think it's pretty apples to apples in terms of proximity to stations. Of course Mckenzie/Auburn Bay/Cranston/etc add massive populations if we expand beyond the Shephard terminus (though it's about 2.5km from there to 130 Ave where those communities even begin), but there is a lot of population in Aspen/Springbank Hill/West Springs etc. that is much closer and I didn't include for the blue line. More jobs near the green line, but the vast majority are on the other side of the canal. I feel like I could rant forever here...what am I missing? This seems like such an obvious boondoggle at this point. Please convince me I'm wrong. FWIW I am in favour of spending lots of money on transit...but the cost vs. benefit of the current plan makes no sense at all to me.