Large Scale Central

History

General Discussion
#1

1939 - Ottawa’s Elgin Street streetcar line is abandoned. This is the first major rail abandonment in the city.

But, as the good Friar will attest, far from the last. Sigh.
And now, having abandoned all the streetcar lines and most of the train tracks, they’re fighting over a light-rail concept that could have used those lines and tracks – all of which, oddly enough, served areas that have become the suburbs that could use light-rail transit.
So much for the forward thinking of the Fifties and Sixties (based on Thirties city planning guru-ism).
Sic transit gloria.

#2

Don’t feel alone. Spokane is in the same boat. We have the most backwards thinking government I have ever laid eyes on. I think they use a depression era planning model. We are just beginning construction on a freeway that was needed in the mid 50’s and currently our light rail project stands about as much chance as a fart in the wind of ever getting done. Yes, they ripped up our street car track years ago. This is the town that does a $100,000 feasibility study for a $25,000 project :frowning:

#3

As Chris says; Ottawa is not too bright…they even signed a multy BILLION dollar contract, for a light rail project, then proptly skuttled the deal and now have to pay several millions for backing out…to say nothing of the millions spent on “Studies”…

But, they say we only get the polititians we deserve…
…like most of the population of North America…no-one really wants to get out of their personal vehicles…but some think that polution and a lot of our problems will be solved by someone else…they also compain about paving over greenspace where they let their dogs leave their droppings, and fail to think that the pavement is for their cars.

#4
Fred Mills said:
As Chris says; Ottawa is not too bright.....they even signed a multy BILLION dollar contract, for a light rail project, then proptly skuttled the deal and now have to pay several millions for backing out.........to say nothing of the millions spent on "Studies".....
Here in San Diego, we've wasted decades and many millions of dollars on studies and commissions related to relocating the airport. The main push for relocating it comes from the real estate developers/speculators who are anxious to get their greedy mitts on the bayside land where the current airport sits. Meanwhile, they've allowed every inch of land suitable for an airport to be developed, so there really is no place else to put it. And all they [b]really[/b] need to do is expand the existing airport. Which they could have done when the naval training center closed, but no, instead they handed that over to a developer.
#5
Ray Dunakin said:
Fred Mills said:
As Chris says; Ottawa is not too bright.....they even signed a multy BILLION dollar contract, for a light rail project, then proptly skuttled the deal and now have to pay several millions for backing out.........to say nothing of the millions spent on "Studies".....
Here in San Diego, we've wasted decades and many millions of dollars on studies and commissions related to relocating the airport. The main push for relocating it comes from the real estate developers/speculators who are anxious to get their greedy mitts on the bayside land where the current airport sits. Meanwhile, they've allowed every inch of land suitable for an airport to be developed, so there really is no place else to put it. And all they [b]really[/b] need to do is expand the existing airport. Which they could have done when the naval training center closed, but no, instead they handed that over to a developer.
Where would our Pollies be if they did not have troughs into which they could dip their greedy snouts?

Big business rules!!! Dontcha know?

#6

What sucks is that this blight (big business and greedy politicians) is everywhere. It’s unfortunate that it wasn’t contained before it got out of hand. The only way it will ever right itself is when the world economy totally collapses…:frowning: …and it will. :confused: