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Since I rarely drive anywhere downtown, walking certainly doesn't separate me from a good time, either. That being said, I DO like good connectivity. It would suck to be at Tobacco Road and want to head over to Natty Greene's or Napper Tandy's, but the shortest way to get there would be by going up to Hillsborough and then coming back down on West to Jones. I dislike having to go past my destination to get there. It's not a dealbreaker, just a major peeve of mine, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
A ped bridge would do the trick, but I have no idea what that would entail in such cramped quarters on Jones. Most ped bridges I've seen have had some sort of long ramp in order to be ADA compliant. Maybe they could make a spiral ramp. IMHO, an elevator would be cost prohibitive.
The only way that a foot bridge works in an area like that is with the elevator. I think it's the best way to address the connectivity issues in the neighborhood.
There is no good reason to close Jones Street that has anything to do with the SEHSR high speed rail. There will be no appreciable increase in speed or volume of traffic over what goes on every day right now. Let's don't waste this opportunity to preserve exactly the urban fabric the SEHSR project is intended to create.
Check out this outstanding editorial from the News & Observer on July 17, 2010:
There is no good reason to close Jones Street that has anything to do with the SEHSR high speed rail. There will be no appreciable increase in speed or volume of traffic over what goes on every day right now. Let's don't waste this opportunity to preserve exactly the urban fabric the SEHSR project is intended to create.
Check out this outstanding editorial from the News & Observer on July 17, 2010:
There is no good reason to close Jones Street that has anything to do with the SEHSR high speed rail. There will be no appreciable increase in speed or volume of traffic over what goes on every day right now. Let's don't waste this opportunity to preserve exactly the urban fabric the SEHSR project is intended to create.
Check out this outstanding editorial from the News & Observer on July 17, 2010:
Stevewaters brings up an interesting point about speed. Perhaps a good question for Monday night.
In regards to the elevator, given the amount of funds for and scale of the overal project we're talking about, this would be a very small drop in the bucket.
In regards to the elevator, given the amount of funds for and scale of the overal project we're talking about, this would be a very small drop in the bucket.
True, the initial cost is tiny compared to the overall project. However, considering how heavily these types of projects are scrutinized in this state, if the pedestrian bridge is considered a "nice to have" rather than a "must have", any additional expense that would add to the already increased expense of using the Norfolk Southern line could kill the idea of a footbridge altogether. Not to mention that an elevator will require ongoing maintenance and operation costs for the life of the pedestrian bridge. I'm all for it, but will the decision makers be in favor?
I don't see why the speed cannot be reduced in heavily developed areas. It only seems logical to me that this should automatically be the case, as it is currently. I can't imagine the devastation if something went wrong with a train traveling at high speeds on either of those two lines in the more dense areas of the city.
True, the initial cost is tiny compared to the overall project. However, considering how heavily these types of projects are scrutinized in this state, if the pedestrian bridge is considered a "nice to have" rather than a "must have", any additional expense that would add to the already increased expense of using the Norfolk Southern line could kill the idea of a footbridge altogether. Not to mention that an elevator will require ongoing maintenance and operation costs for the life of the pedestrian bridge. I'm all for it, but will the decision makers be in favor?
I don't see why the speed cannot be reduced in heavily developed areas. It only seems logical to me that this should automatically be the case, as it is currently. I can't imagine the devastation if something went wrong with a train traveling at high speeds on either of those two lines in the more dense areas of the city.
Part of the problem is that the Railroad safety people want to eliminate every single at grade crossing anyway and they see stuff like this as a sledgehammer to get their way. I understand that accidents can happen at railroad crossings, but closing all of them is just not a realistic option, IMO.
Part of the problem is that the Railroad safety people want to eliminate every single at grade crossing anyway and they see stuff like this as a sledgehammer to get their way. I understand that accidents can happen at railroad crossings, but closing all of them is just not a realistic option, IMO.
And, they think it is "all about them."
NCDOT told me several years ago that to get a new crossing opened on CSX, the railroad required that 3 existing crossings be closed.
I agree that it is unrealistic - there are currently 3 trains a day in each direction between Raleigh and Charlotte. Even if this doubles after the High Speed Rail program it hardly justifies the total disruption to one of the more successful downtown rejuvenations in Raleigh by cutting the area in 2. Crossing gates for the handful of trains would be adequate, especially with the technology available for remote management of the gates as trains enter the crossing location.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherifftruman
Part of the problem is that the Railroad safety people want to eliminate every single at grade crossing anyway and they see stuff like this as a sledgehammer to get their way. I understand that accidents can happen at railroad crossings, but closing all of them is just not a realistic option, IMO.
Playing catch up here so forgive me as I transition back to the triangle from parts north I have a lot of catching up to do from WCPSS changes to high-speed rail from Raleigh to Richmond.....
The thought of High-speed rail in downtown Raleigh may make my pulse 'race' abit and my 'hobo' -kin New Jersey that is roots switch tracks but as I read the posted WRAL reports and the commentaries, and public hearing plans, and the countless soon to be on the horizon court challenges and Quid Pro Quo's of sorts my pulse has slowed. As this will takes years to investigate, challenge, design, perform countless environmental studies on effects of a high speed train from noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, pollution from pollution, I think it is safe to say this will take many years to become a reality or be tossed onto the heap of good intentions pile.
Either way I'm sure my rocking chair will be rocking back and forth to the sounds of a high speed train or the sounds of traffic heading up and down Capital Blvd before this becomes a reality.
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