The following could be plopped under a number of different thread headings but, as I have opined before, I think that the Low Level Bridge and its attendant car traffic spaghetti is due for a complete rethink. Also, on the broader site we have talked about the historical Rossdale Power Plant and its access (or lack thereof) and what might be done to effect some change. I have collected my ideas and illustrated the planning aspect employing 4 different sequential panels. So here goes...
Above ^ Panel #1 showing the radial railway connecting the historic Rossdale Power Plant building the Rossdale Residential Community, the Low Level Bridge and beyond...
I am renewing the idea of having the Radial Railway historic Tram Cars doing manifold duties:
1. Connecting Historic points-of-interest in Edmonton with an historic conveyance network
2. Extending Transit Access to the River Valley, the Low Level Bridge (The original purpose of the Low Level Bridge was to connect the communities of Edmonton and Strathcona for the
Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway. While it was designed for rail traffic, it also served pedestrians and horse-drawn wagons for its first two years. In 1902, a railway track was officially added, and later a timber deck was added to allow for vehicular traffic)... and access to the historic Power Plant building in Rossdale
3. Providing a more leisurely and interesting transit ride (it is already on world record for having the highest vantage point vista for a Tram rail conveyance in its journey across the High Level bridge)... I would like to add to its mystique and drama by having it hug the shore line of the North Saskatchewan River between the Power Plant and the Low Level Bridge and to cross that second Historical Edmonton Bridge and wind its way up the Millcreek Ravine offering Edmontonians and Tourists alike the opportunity to enjoy the ravine from a sightseeing perspective.
4. serving double duty the tram car rail embankment along the river's edge would also provide a flood mitigation role protecting the community of Rossdale
Stations evident on panel 1 would be:
#1. an end-of-line loop at the administration building of the Power Plant (converted to a joint Radial Railway Transit Station and -- built out on the roof of the administration building -- an aerial Tram station). Incidentally, I still see the conversion of the Power Plant into a 3-way Indigenous project: a First Nations Historical Museum, a modern-day Indigenous Art Galley, and a food and entertainment enclave for Native Canadian expression in the culinary arts and in the broad realm of music and theatre (that is a discussion for a later date)
#2 a station at Irene Pariby Park that serves the Rossdale residential community and provides an alternate way to access RE/MAX Field (no car required)
#3 a station that would provide access to Gene Dub's proposed residential mid-rise complex
(stations #4, #5, and #6 are not shown on this panel they are covered in the next segment on Panel #2)
#7 a station serving the river flats area that is the northernmost extension of Strathcona Community