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 (+/-)
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.