I decided to geek out and share my expensive fix for the NAIT - Kinsgway - Royal Alex area.
I find all the at-grade and overly windy/curved track through this entire stretch to be very slow and a hindrance for all modes of traffic, transit included, so here are two incredibly expensive fantasy options for fixing it to increase speed and eliminate the at-grade crossings.
Option 1. Keep the existing NAIT station and elevate the track WEM style until we reach back south of Kingsway avenue. New Kinsgway Royal Alex station bridges across 111avenue to give access to either side of the interesection without having to cross the road. It eliminates some of the curves and grade separates the stretch.
Drawbacks besides cost: The frontage of most of Kingsway mall gets covered by train line which i am sure they wouldnt like and that stretch of houses on north 105 street would get demo'd.
Option 2. My preferred option: NAIT station relocated to straighten out the line as much as possible and provide maximum development intensity adjacent to the station. Line dips below grade instead and runs under Kinsgway avenue with a new underground Kingsway/Royal Alex station which achieves the same thing as the above grade station by bridging together both sides of the intersection. Line carries on like option 1. Kingsway mall does not get blocked visually here..
Drawbacks besides cost: the NAIT station is pulled further from NAIT and that stretch of houses on north 105 street would get demo'd.
Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? other ideas?
