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Re elevated lines

replacement of elevated lines is driven by A. The physical obsolescence of said lines B. Structural maintenance cycles C. Narrowness of streets (as ALex B points out) and D the density of surrounding areas

I know when the old Manhattan els were replaced by subway, it was mostly due to their inability to handle modern heavier rail cars, and limited speeds due to their geometry. The later post WW1 els built in NYC (in brooklyn, bronx and Queens) are still there, and are approaching 100 years old. The Chicago loop el is still there, despite being on narrow streets and near some of the most valuable real estate in the US. Im not sure about the Boston els. Anyone with more details should chime in.

I think it MOST unlikely that the Tysons el will considered for replacement in 50 years. It will be narrower and quieter than the 100 plus year old els, and as Alex B points out, on much wider roads. That means a lesser issue of blocking light than say for the Chicago loop, and it also means its a much smaller barrier to pedestrians than are the roads themselves.

by AWalkerInTheCity on Apr 6, 2012 12:09 pm • link • report

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