WestLRT Construction Transgression thread

[frinkprof]

More roof arches up at Sunalta Station today. That one is really coming together quickly. Might go take some photos of it later, but no promises.

All in all the whole project is really starting to take shape. It will be interesting to see how far along it will be by this time next year. My guess is that it will appear pretty much done, with electrical and odds and ends still outstanding.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

More roof arches up at Sunalta Station today. That one is really coming together quickly. Might go take some photos of it later, but no promises.

All in all the whole project is really starting to take shape. It will be interesting to see how far along it will be by this time next year. My guess is that it will appear pretty much done, with electrical and odds and ends still outstanding.

Do you find that the whole project is on pace for the scheduled Dec 2012 finish? Could it be earlier?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do you find that the whole project is on pace for the scheduled Dec 2012 finish? Could it be earlier?

No question it will be done earlier than that. It's also sort of a marketing ploy; being done before the estimated finish date will reflect better on both the contractors (SNC Lavalin and Graham Construction) and the City of Calgary. It will be a nice little feel-good story when, and I'd put money on this, it will be done before the end of the summer in 2012.

[frinkprof]

A few photos of Sunalta Station






And the launching truss, not much further to the west.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do you find that the whole project is on pace for the scheduled Dec 2012 finish? Could it be earlier?

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

No question it will be done earlier than that. It's also sort of a marketing ploy; being done before the estimated finish date will reflect better on both the contractors (SNC Lavalin and Graham Construction) and the City of Calgary. It will be a nice little feel-good story when, and I'd put money on this, it will be done before the end of the summer in 2012.

I wouldn't be so sure. Electrical can take a lot of time when the station structures will look pretty much done. The other thing is testing of the line. Depending on how they do it (release it to Calgary Transit all at once or in phases), and how much fixing needs to be done, that can take awhile. On the shorter extensions (Crowfoot, McKnight-Westwinds, etc.), they have needed about a month, but for something of this complexity and length, they will likely need quite a bit longer.

All that said though, I wouldn't be surprised if it opens a little bit early. Wouldn't put money on it though.

[frinkprof]

Here's a document I found on the westlrt.ca site with some details about the 69th Street Parkade.

- CBE administration will use the lowest floor of the parkade and have 250 stalls, with an entrance of 69th Street. That part will open for their use by the time the school year starts in the fall of 2011.

- Calgary Transit patrons will use the rest of the parkade, 750 stalls, with an entrance off 17th Avenue controlled by a traffic light.

- Some intermittent LEDs will be used as part of the design, more on that in the link below

Some images from the pdf:

Functionality:



Design Rendering



Link: http://www.westlrt.ca/files/69%20Str...y%20Dec-10.pdf

[stampsx2]

^^^ frinkprof, because of you I am not getting stuff done.

[chemgear]

Just an article in the Herald today:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/br...468/story.html

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I wouldn't be so sure. Electrical can take a lot of time when the station structures will look pretty much done. The other thing is testing of the line. Depending on how they do it (release it to Calgary Transit all at once or in phases), and how much fixing needs to be done, that can take awhile. On the shorter extensions (Crowfoot, McKnight-Westwinds, etc.), they have needed about a month, but for something of this complexity and length, they will likely need quite a bit longer.

All that said though, I wouldn't be surprised if it opens a little bit early. Wouldn't put money on it though.

SNC always finds a way to get things done early, even if it costs them a pretty penny. The "goodwill" they get for finishing early from the press and government is valuable to them. There were plenty of problems that caused big delays when they were building the new Okanagan Lake bridge, but "shockingly" they finished before the scheduled opening date. Go figure.

Less than a year after the fact they have already had to redo some very expensive parts of the bridge...poor installation was to blame. Perhaps a little rushed?

[stevinder]

In a project as large as this, I fully expect construction deficiencies. But as long as those issues do not effect train operations, no problems.

Here are a couple of tunnel pics (iPhone quality) from the Westbrook area.


IMG_0019 by srp775, on Flickr


IMG_0018 by srp775, on Flickr


IMG_0020 by srp775, on Flickr

[Burninator]

Took one of the new trains home last night. Ugh. The seats are so cramped. I was literally sitting shoulder to shoulder with the two people beside me. I can definitely see that there is more room for people to stand and more things to hold onto but as someone who usually gets a seat on the ride to and from work I wish they gave more consideration to the seats.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do you find that the whole project is on pace for the scheduled Dec 2012 finish? Could it be earlier?

From what I'm told, the actual construction of the line will be finished looong before Dec. 2012. They apparently have to run trains and trials for at least 6 months before the actual opening.

Having said that, I know for fact that the concrete construction is very, very behind. I do think that it'll still be open when they say though. Concrete can catch up pretty quick if all goes well and weather co-operates.

[The Goon]

Speaking of concrete, they are currently pouring it into the tunnel behind my house:

[frinkprof]

There is a new newsletter up on the westlrt.ca. Gives updates on all station areas as well as upcoming traffic impacts.

http://www.westlrt.ca/files/Status%2...t%20Jan-11.pdf

Probably the two biggest of note are:

- Nightly closures of Sarcee Trail between Bow Trail and 17th Avenue for about 10 days to accommodate deliver and installation of girders for the Sarcee Trail/17th Avenue interchange. This will happen sometime in February.

- Closure of 14th Street between 9th and 11th Avenues SW, as well as exit from eastbound Bow Trail to 10th Avenue SW. This is being done to accommodate utility work and will be in effect for about a week in late January and early February.

Overall looks like things are progressing very will considering the weather. Sorry for the lack of photo updates from me lately as I haven't been on the project much lately.

[Ducay]

Anyone know what the deal is with EB Bow being so backed up the past couple days? Its not the usual backups @ Westbrook or 26th St, seems like its clogging up all the way @ 11th St (by Staples).

I know the 10th Ave connector is supposed to be closed, but I can't fathom it making Bow all that more backed up.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Anyone know what the deal is with EB Bow being so backed up the past couple days? Its not the usual backups @ Westbrook or 26th St, seems like its clogging up all the way @ 11th St (by Staples).

I know the 10th Ave connector is supposed to be closed, but I can't fathom it making Bow all that more backed up.

Probably a ripple effect from 14th street being closed at 9-11th Avenues. A lot more people are probably going around the problem by using Bow, Crowchild, 11th Street, etc. I haven't been down that way since the closure, but that's my guess.

[amorak]

Finkprof (or anyone else who knows): Are there estimates anywhere for expected travel times from each (any?) of the new WestLRT stops to downtown? I am curious if it will be markedly faster than driving?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by amorak

Finkprof (or anyone else who knows): Are there estimates anywhere for expected travel times from each (any?) of the new WestLRT stops to downtown? I am curious if it will be markedly faster than driving?

WestLRT.ca (can't remember exactly where) gives an analysis of total travel times for each community pre and post WestLRT.

So it will give travel times from, say Signal Hill, via Bus to downtown currently, and then expected times via feeder bus and LRT once the LRT is up and running.

[You Need a Thneed]

I have no idea of how long it takes to drive downtown from that area, but the LRT line is relatively short compared to the other legs. I'd guess, maybe 15 minutes from 69th Street station to downtown on the train. It takes a train about 20 minutes to get from McKnight Westwinds to Olympic Plaza, and the west LRT line is shorter and has less stations.

[frinkprof]

There's this transit travel time comparison for various communities before and after LRT.



From here

As for just along the line itself, I would guess somewhere in the 12 minute range for 69th Street Station to 11th Street West Station, and somewhere in the 18 minute range from 69th Street Station to City Hall.