Streetcar

[Anonymous.]

It is difficult to tell in my nighttime photos, but there was at least a dozen workers out there ~ 10pm. They are working full nights for temperature-friendly concrete pours.

[Urbanized]

Does look like utility work, though?

Yes, according to the update. Just saying that they have gone ahead and cut out track bed while they're at it. In a lot of places they have only gone in and done spot utility relocation work, then patched it back up. In Bricktown when they have done a long saw cut like what is on Robinson right now, it was eventually also the track bed. Never got covered back up. I would guess this is both utility relocation and eventually track. Not suggesting there will be rebar or track anytime soon; only saying if this hole is filled back up before there is track in it, they will be doing things differently than anywhere else they have worked to this point.

[shawnw]

Ah, makes sense, appreciate the insight. I have noticed in a couple places they filled it back in with asphalt so maybe due to the traffic they'll do that here until track time.

[Urbanized]

Ah, makes sense, appreciate the insight. I have noticed in a couple places they filled it back in with asphalt so maybe due to the traffic they'll do that here until track time.

Yeah, it has been an experience over here. That said, the communication has been amazing and the intersection closures have been strategic, well communicated, well planned. That said, once this much is ripped out I've not seen it filled back in, and we are talking about streets with higher traffic counts than that stretch of Robinson (Sheridan, Reno). I'd expect the trench now open to be open for the duration. Just breathe deep and remember that it will (eventually) be over, and we will have a streetcar.

[Anonymous.]

... Just breathe deep and remember that it will (eventually) be over, and we will have a streetcar.

I keep telling myself and others this everytime there is complaining about all the construction downtown. It TOTALLY sucks right now, Bricktown is complete chaos. But we will be so much better off a year from now.

[Urbanized]

I keep telling myself and others this everytime there is complaining about all the construction downtown. It TOTALLY sucks right now, Bricktown is complete chaos. But we will be so much better off a year from now.

It's funny; other than the present situation on Sheridan where there is no eastbound traffic allowed between Oklahoma and Mickey Mantle - and the detour takes you like four blocks out of the way because of having to go under Walnut - I have found the Bricktown construction surprisingly unobtrusive. They have tried to limit intersection closures to weekdays, and have MOSTLY succeeded with a few exceptions, and communication has be incredible, as I mentioned. Weekend closures are bad for us over here, and they obviously listened in pre-meetings. I'd expect other parts of downtown to have other priorities, and I would expect those would be catered to as much as possible.

I have honestly found the P180 construction on E.K. Gaylord for the past who-knows-how-long to be WAAAAY more of a PITA.

[catcherinthewry]

I heard today that Cornett wants the streetcar to be fully autonomous.

[HangryHippo]

I have honestly found the P180 construction on E.K. Gaylord for the past who-knows-how-long to be WAAAAY more of a PITA.

How they've handled that particular portion is criminal!

[Urbanized]

OK, after looking more closely at the Robinson saw cut, I stand corrected. That may indeed be JUST utilities at this point. I was only seeing what was at the intersection, which is full track width. But only a few feet south the cut gets much more narrow. I hadn't before seen a cut like this in any of the other work they've done. Everything that they've done til now of a linear nature in track ROW became track bed.

I can only guess that there is some infrastructure that runs right down that street, which they are now dealing with. In the past the utility relocations were more concentrated spots rather than so linear in nature. I'm sure we'll see all types of variations before this is over.

[Urban Pioneer]

1. Cornett does want to see if we can do a fully automated streetcar system. He serves on the Federal Autonomous Vehicles Committee as an appointee by the Federal Transportation Secretary (Secretary Fox). We are studying if this is a possibility and what the costs of such an endeavor might be.

2. EK Gaylord required a major replacement of one of the main sewer lines through City 20' below the surface, thus the extraordinary time compared to other P180 streets.

3. The trench in the southbound lane south of 10th on Robinson is to relocate and upgrade the water main in preparation for the track bed.

4. The work on 9th street is O&G's upgrade of gas lines in the overall area. That project was underway throughout downtown before the streetcar project as part of their conversion from antiquated metal lines to poly. It benefits the streetcar project but also contributes to the perception that we are working on every street in Midtown. Beneficial coincidence

[Anonymous.]

What kind of timeline are we speaking here for autonomous?

Brookville is already building our cars.

[Plutonic Panda]

Will there be a possibility this will be double tracked? Found out the other day this will be one way service. Not sure how I just found that out, but I am extremely disappointed in that. Not that it can't be fixed, it just seems to me it is a half assed system only have one track. Needs to be two ways.

[cinnamonjock]

The system is so short two ways isn't necessary and would nearly double the cost. This way we can get all the way up into midtown for the amount of money allotted.

[Plutonic Panda]

To me that speaks of shortsightedness by the city. Setting this thing up to fail before it even begins. I hope I'm wrong.

[shawnw]

the two directions are only a block apart, you'd want to completely redesign the route if you double tracked. too late for that.

[d-usa]

There is really no need to go both direction on a fairly short route like this, the circle route works okay I think. What's the total time to complete one loop?

Any expansions out should go both directions, and I would expect them to be more of an "in and out" setup rather than a big loop. Like an extension up to Penn Square and then up NW Expressway, or something like that.

[OKCisOK4me]

Will there be a possibility this will be double tracked? Found out the other day this will be one way service. Not sure how I just found that out, but I am extremely disappointed in that. Not that it can't be fixed, it just seems to me it is a half assed system only have one track. Needs to be two ways.

You gotta remember that while there is only 1 track, there is a downtown/Bricktown "circular" and then the main-line circular. Plus, this is OKC...which doesn't have LA or Dallas monies so you have to quit looking at our progress from a Tier 1 City perspective. Everything will be just fine, Plupan.

[Ross MacLochness]

You gotta remember that while there is only 1 track, there is a downtown/Bricktown "circular" and then the main-line circular. Plus, this is OKC...which doesn't have LA or Dallas monies so you have to quit looking at our progress from a Tier 1 City perspective. Everything will be just fine, Plupan.

and to add, we don't really have a linear corridor that makes sense for an out and back like in KC. All of our districts are spread out on all sides around the core.

[Plutonic Panda]

You gotta remember that while there is only 1 track, there is a downtown/Bricktown "circular" and then the main-line circular. Plus, this is OKC...which doesn't have LA or Dallas monies so you have to quit looking at our progress from a Tier 1 City perspective. Everything will be just fine, Plupan.

I hope you're right...

[Urban Pioneer]

and to add, we don't really have a linear corridor that makes sense for an out and back like in KC. All of our districts are spread out on all sides around the core.

This is correct. KC is not the right comparison for many items related to our streetcar system. Our downtown is exceptionally unique and how to cover it was extensively and scientifically evaluated. The spread one block apart system expands reach and pedestrian access.

[Urban Pioneer]

What kind of timeline are we speaking here for autonomous?

Brookville is already building our cars.

Supposedly, the Brookeville streetcars are built with the ability to convert them to autonomous later as technology progresses. For the foreseeable future, they shall be piloted by actual human engineers. This is a broader study to determine how it would be done and does not have a specific date/goal in mind. It is also being done by academia. The theory is that a streetcar is much more easily automated as it is a two dimensional challenge rather than a three dimensional challenge as compared to a car. A fixed route means simply accelerating and braking. Fewer variables to consider.

[Ross MacLochness]

Track has been laid on Hudson from the future blvd to Sheridan. I am curious about the position of the track on the undeveloped block between reno and the future blvd. Here, the streetcar track will be directly against the curb thus preserving five lanes of traffic and blocking any chance of on street parking here. Anyone know why? The track shifts one lane to the west as it passes by the myriad gardens in order to accommodate street parking. I just don't understand why they would take away the opportunity for street parking on this lot that will surely someday be developed.

[shawnw]

I presume it has to do with where stops are?

[Ross MacLochness]

I presume it has to do with where stops are?

I don't think that has to do with it. There are some stops that take up a parking space but allow for parking around them and there are also stops that are right up against the sidewalk. What seems strange to me here is that the track doesnt make room for street parking here despite the fact that the road is five lanes wide and probable future development.

[shawnw]

Wasn't the shape of the boulevard or one of those blocks going to change slightly? Thought I remember something about that. If so maybe the track is accounting for the end state?