Re: Dumbarton Corridor update
Author: Billy Balkans
Date: 01-07-2021 - 16:09
J Mann Wrote:
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> Seems to me that commuter rail would be the
> cheapest option. If they are going to rebuild the
> bridge and upgrade the ROW, why not focus on that
> first and operate commuter rail on it and see how
> it is accepted by the public. Putting in the
> additional infrastructure for LRT is a waste of
> money unless they know there really is a demand
> for it. Commuter rail can be up and running
> quicker and if it doesn't work out the equipment
> can be shifted to other operations.
The poor location of the new station when the Cap Corridor switches lines kills commuter rail as the best option. As the map shows, Dumbarton commuter rail connecting to BART won't connect to Amtrak. But LRT will magically do both.
It makes you wonder if the new Cap Corridor station location was picked to make sure LRT was the Dumbarton mode choice. A station at the wye would have served commuter rail best.
If this were Europe, Dumbarton would be commuter rail extending over Altamont. Stations would be built at the best locations to interchange with the Cap Corridor and BART. But not in California. BART did their thing, Cap Corridor will do it's thing, and maybe Dumbarton LRT will weave a connection between them.