Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayward
It does, although it's kind of strange last time I crossed over there. The concrete sidewalk narrows to about 4' or 5' so there's room for the crossing arm. Once you get past it's just one continuous surface of asphalt so you feel like you are walking in the road.
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The original specs for River Point called for the RR tunnel to stop short of where it does now. But Metra/Amtrak wanted the tunnel to extend closer to the RR crossing.
Why? Don't know. I would think the more the tunnel sets back from the actual crossing, the greater the visibility for both the engineers and the traffic trying to get across the tracks. But Hines was prompt to oblige.
The extension of the tunnel required a relocation of the Canal Street elevator giving access to the park/plaza. It was supposed to be quite close to the crossing gate. But, the extension of the tunnel left no room for the sidewalk or the elevator. So, the sidewalk is quite narrow and the Canal Street elevator is now supposed to be built about 150' south of the RR crossing.
Lots of McHugh trucks on site this morning. However, until the drain under Fulton Street is repaired so water can drain into the River and Fulton Street does not fill up with rain water whenever it sprinkles (like last night and, BTW, the drain extends west for several blocks) nothing much will be built. But, hopefully almost done!