Observations during a St. Clair W walkabout

Here's a picture of the work in process (let's not say progress!) on St. Clair W.



I took this and a few others on a long walkabout today. I guess I should have been home writing about all those topics I promised to write about in my previous post. However, don't you think that a blog with a few pictures is better.

This picture is from St. Clair W - maybe 5 blocks from Yonge. What struck me here was that the streetcar ROW being constructed doesn't seem to be raised above the street that far. I didn't have a ruler with me - but it seems to be only 4 or 5 inches.

Now on this stretch of the street, this observation is largely moot. I don't think traffic patterns will be affected that much. There is very little in the waty of a retail presence - and hence few delivery vehicle.

However, west of Bathurst, I don't see much that will stop motorists and commecial vehicles from popping up onto the 'dedicated ROW'. Between Bathurst and the end of the line, St. Clair is almost continuously retai/commercial - which means very high frequency of delivery and pickup - which will block the single lane of traffic. Other than certain low-to-the ground sporty cars, most vehicles can make over a 4-5 inch curb.

Assuming this actually gets built West of Bathurst, I won't be surprised if the dedicated ROW is not so dedicated a few months into operation. I wonder what Joe Mihevc will think then.