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Originally Posted by denizen467
I love this subject but I think it was discussed in another thread recently. So many theoretical possibilities, with all the undeveloped lots.
Especially going all the way out to Ashland; imagine stacking the Amtrak/Milwaukee District on top of the already-elevated Union Pacific, or just elevating the entire Amtrak/Milwaukee District beyond Halsted. In fact, over this stretch of track, if some grade-separated north-south swap between those two sets of 4 tracks could be constructed, then the chokepoint at Western (I forget the foamer name, Tower B?) could be eliminated. That's gonna be good for an airport express, Amtrak service, and everything else.
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Interesting coincidence with LVDW's comment about reconfiguring existing buildings along Canal and the area: As we speak, Left Bank at K Station has completely closed down their 1st floor lobby, and papered over the windows, for some kind of renovations. Would be great if they did something to their 2nd floor and then connected it over Canal to River Point. In fact, the parking lot opposite Fulton must also be ripe for some building that would connect on a 2nd floor level to River Point.
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Interesting conversation. But, IMO the ship sailed when the River Point RR tunnel was constructed. The Confluence is graced by 3 beautiful new buildings.
But, anyone who posted very early on this thread about the existence of problems or solutions where the RR tracks cross Canal and Clinton was shouted down on this thread. Too bad.
I always thought the area on Canal where the RR tracks cross should have been closed and pedestrian traffic detoured off Canal between Fulton House and 333 to the RiverWalk (now completed) leading to Lake Street. But, it's much too late to change the "people handling" to move a sufficient amount of pedestrian traffic up to Lake St. (There's only 1 tiny elevator at Lake to handle pedestrian or bike traffic from the RiverWalk up to the start of the sloped entrance to the River Point plaza and the Lake St. bridge.)
The new, improved Confluence looks great. However, the traffic (from cars, bikes and pedestrians) will be eternally snarled because of the cost to cure the traffic problems.