WestLRT Construction Transgression thread

[GirlySports]

oops i meant eastbound yesterday... looks like they've fixed the problem they had.
However we'll see this evening how it goes with westbound by the telus science center

[chemgear]

I ended up doing some errands last night instead of trying mow through the backup. I counted no less than 18 buses at a standstill within a span of just a block and a half spanned across multiple lanes.

What a gongshow.

[Sr. Mints]

I haven't experienced this nightmare during rushhour yet, I'm glad I've been walking downtown from Westbrook.

[red sky]

So why was yesterday so much worse. I usually leave at 4 and it was definitely the worst it has been. Was there an extra lane closed?

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by red sky

So why was yesterday so much worse. I usually leave at 4 and it was definitely the worst it has been. Was there an extra lane closed?

Yup. Only the far right lane and the bus-only lane that merges right after that last downtown stop were open. 5 lanes had to basically merge into 1. Insane and unacceptable.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Yup. Only the far right lane and the bus-only lane that merges right after that last downtown stop were open. 5 lanes had to basically merge into 1. Insane and unacceptable.

Thanks. I started on that route but noticed how bad it was. I backed tracked to get onto 17th ave as I had a Purolator package to pick up anyways. Hopefully it is better today.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

I haven't experienced this nightmare during rushhour yet, I'm glad I've been walking downtown from Westbrook.

Damn, you're ambitious... isn't that quite a long walk? It takes me about 15 minutes to bike from Westbrook (including down that awesome path on the hill), but the walk must be super long.

[chemgear]

I took the liberty of driving around that way as I was heading out. It looks like the same if not worse than yesterday. The entire section blocked off down to 1 lane (2 if you're dbagging it through the right turn sign.)

There are even gravel trucks parked along the side of the road taking up more lanes before the intersection. The guys seem pretty well aware of the situation - I drove by some guys in hard hats laughing and taking pictures of the intersection already . . .

[Ducay]

6th Ave was fine @ ~3:30ish; cruised all the way from the core to Science centre in less than 5mins by bus. Lanes still looked closed, so not sure if the traffic rebuilt to yesterday's levels after I went through.

[chemgear]

^ How was it this evening/after work?

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by Muta

Damn, you're ambitious... isn't that quite a long walk? It takes me about 15 minutes to bike from Westbrook (including down that awesome path on the hill), but the walk must be super long.

Yes, the fun path: I cycled to work once from where I live now, and that was the last time. Add in LRT construction on Bow and Crowhchild/9th death traps, and the fun comes at you from every direction.

Takes me about an hour to walk. I cut across 33rd street to 17th, and walk almost straight to work. Approx 5 kms.

Incidentally, I found an old step counter and used it last week just for kicks, but the battery died. But I was at 4200 steps (I think--I'll double check my twitter account when it's working) about 3/4 the way. Whatever that means.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by chemgear

I took the liberty of driving around that way as I was heading out. It looks like the same if not worse than yesterday. The entire section blocked off down to 1 lane (2 if you're dbagging it through the right turn sign.)

There are even gravel trucks parked along the side of the road taking up more lanes before the intersection. The guys seem pretty well aware of the situation - I drove by some guys in hard hats laughing and taking pictures of the intersection already . . .

It's sweet revenge to all the numbnuts who'd rather run over and kill a construction worker instead of slowing down in a construction zone.

[frinkprof]

Some photos posted by yyc_engineer on SSP.

Originally Posted by yyc_engineer on SSP

Hey everyone, here's a couple more insider pics from the construction. Work is progressing right on track, just a year and a half to go until opening day!


Looking West in the trench towards 69th St Station


Location of the diamond crossover inside the tunnel at 69th Station.


Tracks at 47th St. at-grade crossing


Tracks overtop the LRT bridge over Sarcee Trail

Sorry for the crappy quality of the pics. I took them with my iPod touch since I lost the camera my work gave me lol

[frinkprof]

Here's some photos from today at Shaganappi Point Station

Looking east toward downtown from the west end of the south platform. Some roofing materials are going up over the station.




Looking west from the same spot




Ramp on the west side of the south platform. The north platform also has one on the west side. They aren't completed on the east side yet.




North side of the at-grade crossing of 26th Street




South side of the at-grade crossing of 26th Street




Looking west from the east end of the south platform




Track bed level. The piles along the middle will be for the catenary (overhead wire) system

[frinkprof]

Some photos taken Friday at 69th Street Station.

Looking east from the top of the east station head.




Looking west from the top of the east station head.




Looking down into the lower level of the east station head. Elevator shaft is on the left side of the photo.




Decorative wall on south side of the trench.




Decorative wall on north side of the trench.




Looking up from the lower level of the east station head. The first photos in this set were taken from the upper level where the wood railing is.




Looking up from the lower level of the east station head. At the lower center of the photo you can see the opening where the elevator door will be.




A look inside the lower level of the east station head.




A window opening in the lower level of the east station. The window is on the north wall.




Looking east down the south side of the tunnel.

[frinkprof]

New photos on westlrt.ca

24th Street Pedestrian Bridge




45th Street Station




45th Street Station - Platform Level




69th Street Station




69th Street Station - West Station Head in Foreground




Bow Trail/26th Street




Elevated Guideway




Finished Track on Guideway




LRT Bridge Over Sarcee Trail




Trench West of 45th Street




Trench West of 69th Street - This is where the tail tracks will be




Westbound Bow Trail Lanes




Sarcee Trail and 17th Ave. Interchange




Shaganappi Point Station




Sirocco Station




Sunalta Station




Sunalta Station - Platform Level




Tunnel Portal West of Shaganappi Point Station




Utility Work Under Costello Blvd.




Westbrook Station

[Top Shelf]

I need to start driving downtown again this week, how had traffic been lately getting into and out of downtown? I used to take Crow to Bow, but it looks like that is closed now. Any good web sites that show what routes are closed and what we should be using?

[shermanator]

Based on finkprof's latest photos, I'm wondering if the West LRT has a chance to open earlier than the Dec 2012 scheduled date? They're flying along!

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Based on finkprof's latest photos, I'm wondering if the West LRT has a chance to open earlier than the Dec 2012 scheduled date? They're flying along!

An interesting idea, but I would doubt it, unless they are capable of operating only to a halfway point (like Westbrook maybe?).

[KelVarnsen]

Don't they have to test it for a few months before hand?