Kenneth Chan in the DailyHive expands on what is known about transit for the Arbutus corridor. My general thoughts are: More choices to more places. A good thing — bring it on.
There’s an opinion poll in the article — running around 6:1 in favour of Arbutus’ light rail (at time of writing).
Artistic rendering of a light rail transit system in Salt Lake City running on a grass-covered track (TRAX)
The City of Vancouver says its use of the former railway strip is defined by its purchase agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), and this agreement establishes the Corridor be used for walking, cycling, and light rail.
“The City in its capacity as owner of the Lands will commence and expedite an internal planning process to design the portion of the lands for light rail use and walking and cycling use,” reads Article 9 in the agreement between both parties. . .
. . . Arbutus Corridor is suitable for light rail given it runs on a pre-existing railway right-of-way and there are only 10 street crossings along a 55-block stretch of the route. It could potentially complement the Canada Line, acting as a ‘relief line’ for the parallel route, especially with the underground Broadway extension of the Millennium Line terminating at the intersection of Arbutus Street and Broadway.
However, such a train system is likely many years away with the Broadway extension and the new light rail transit system in Surrey designated as regional priorities. TransLink and the Mayor’s Council have not identified the next rail rapid transit priorities following the completion of the current slate of transit expansion plans.
More of Mr. Chan’s earlier thoughts on light rail for the Arbutus Corridor and elsewhere:
An Arbutus light rail line would likely begin as a natural southern extension of the long-proposed Downtown Vancouver streetcar – from the existing railway right-of-way along South False Creek that starts near Granville Island and ends just west of the Cambie Street Bridge, behind the Canada Line’s Olympic Village Station entrance building. The Arbutus Corridor’s northern tip is just one block away, separated from the start of the South False Creek railway corridor by only a strip mall.
Yes please.
Considering light rail today is ignoring the fact that maglev is making great strides as a cheap alternative. The media is masking its consideration with the expensive and redundant Hyperloop concept. Where as “skyTran” just signed with abu DAbi Yas fair next to Ferrarri for a showcase of maglev for fair goers. Where as in the real world maglev will achieve fr better than auto speeds and much safer than light trains and cars. We are only one year away from witnessing history. I have already seen the science work in California and TEl Aviv. my 5 video for Vancouver as an unpaid consultant with Tramwaypods. https://youtu.be/D5zTE7Ccsu8
I’d like to see a first phase connecting from the new Broadway and Arbutus station North to Granville St and one the Granville bridge in the center lane to connect with the Expo and Canada lines at Georgia St. A pedestrian and biking option can be built at the same time on the Granville bridge (either over or under the rail/streetcar line) and a stop in the middle of the bridge can serve Granville Island via an elevator. If the False Creek streetcar that trialled during the Olympics was also brought back these changes would be transformative!
Much south of Broadway the line up Arbutus is going to be a tough sell as the density isn’t there unless the city makes some choices to allow much bigger density near this corridor.