Comment 118629

By Deleted User (anonymous) | Posted May 16, 2016 at 16:17:03 in reply to Comment 118622

I did find that very interesting. Thanks for the informative post. So what level are these cars then: http://www.cnet.com/news/you-can-now-sign-up-to-take-a-driverless-car-for-a-spin-around-london/

Also, I think you're underestimating the rapidity with which technology is changing. The DARPA Grand Challenge was first run in 2004. Twelve years later and we're at Level 3. Google is testing Level 4 now. I would absolutely bet on a Level 4 car from Tesla or Apple by 2024. It's just my opinion but it is eight years away and engineers are solving the problems on your list as we speak.

At any rate, maybe you're right and there is still value in an LRT but I'm still concerned about cost overruns. It's my understanding that they'll be handled by modifying the scope of the project. We've already seen it shortened; the Eastgate to Queenston Circle line has been dropped which doesn't make any sense when you consider that there is an existing transit hub at Eastgate and Queenston is not a destination for many riders. The James Street spur was shortened from the waterfront to Liuna Station and I expect it to be dropped entirely. Calgary's LRT cost around $195 million per kilometer. Even with the best case estimates of $100 million per kilometer the Hamilton LRT would cost $1.1 billion. All I'm asking for, and I don't think it's unreasonable, is a realistic estimate for the cost and a corresponding map showing line truncations per hundred million dollar overage. For example, once we hit $1.1 billion everything east of Kenilworth will be cancelled; once we hit $1.2 billion, Ottawa Street. I feel like that would really help everyone understand how crucial keeping this project on budget will be. It shouldn't be a problem if the City is confident in its estimate. I'd also like to know where ground will break since the line may be shortened. No sense starting at Queenston Circle if we end up not being able to afford to make it out to McMaster. We'd need to start construction in the middle of the line and extend outward in both directions. We all know that government capital projects often go over budget; sometimes by 100%. I honestly believe the final capital cost of this project will approach $2 billion.

Finally, I don't feel that selling Hydro One to fund LRTs around the province was a good idea. Morally, Hamilton has grounds to refuse the funding. I know this is wishful thinking that the City would do the right thing but by accepting this money we're complicit in what will prove to be a devastating decision for many people; I can barely afford to keep my lights on now and rates are only increasing. I'd love for Ontario municipalities to send a message to the province instead of divvying up the spoils. Hydro infrastructure will never be brought back under the public umbrella once it's sold and that's just wrong; even if it means LRTs for everyone.

But if it's going to happen regardless then please shut down the affected lanes now and make them bike only before the construction phase so I can at least see some benefit. The fact that bike lanes are not included in this design is a huge oversight.

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