Quote:
Originally Posted by Zassk
Ladner and Tsawwassen have nowhere near the population or density to warrant any kind of rapid transit. It would probably be best for everyone in Metro if South Delta kept to 0% growth forever (wishful thinking, I know). It would be wasteful and inefficient to divert a south-of-Fraser commuter train to South Delta, and the Canada Line has other much higher density neighbourhoods within Richmond to target in the unlikely event that it is ever extended. The only chance of getting rapid transit to South Delta is if, as I suggested in another thread, Massey Tunnel can be decommissioned as a roadway in the future and re-used as a rail tunnel.
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I don't think the tunnel would ever be closed.
Even ignoring the communities in the area, The Massey is the main link between the Ferries and Vancouver/Richmond. It's part of the link between the provincial capital and business capital.
There will always be a crossing there and I'm pretty sure because of land use and bird parks and shipping lanes in the area it will always have to be a tunnel.
The thing though is that in the rush hour, the 3 lanes for counter flow works decently well. All the crossing really needs is another 2 lane tube. Then the center tube could be a 2 lane counter flow. Then you have 4 lanes with traffic, 2 lanes against. It's all you would need.
But instead of just 2 lanes, it could also have space for a single (or double) length of LRT track.
I wouldn't put the Canada Line through there, but you could run LRT from Bridgeport, down the Shell Road ROW to the tunnel then connect all the way to the ferries. Then it would be an express, limited stop commuter rail line. While Ladner and Tsawassen aren't that big transit destinations, I think it would be good for provincial unity to offer rail service to the ferries. As well, buses from South Surrey and drivers could park at a PnR in Ladner and use the LRT to Canada Line. There is plenty of room for an LRT right of way the entire way.
It's just a pipe dream, but I don't think it would be a waste of money, and would be even cheaper than LRT through Surrey. And with riders from the ferry, would actually be used all day long (outside commutes).