If the line is going to be elevated over 10av, does it really matter if there are utils under the pavement?
Supports for the guideway could be built on the sidewalks if utils are under the road, or a centered support column could be used for the guideway if the utils happen to be under the sidewalks.
Either way, doesn't really seem like it should be a showstopper? Fingers crossed, those utils don't need to be rerelocated...
While I do like the elevated concept more and more, what's bothering me now with the proposed line as it stands is the price for phase 1.
7bil and change is going to make a big dent in finances for a while, and I can't help feeling the NC leg will be a long ways out..
What I'd like to see is a cost estimate for extending the elevated option across the river, into the hill with the 16av underground station, and far enough past to surface and go elevated again, stopping at the 28av or 40av station.
That way the big big spend covers the core of the system, and further extensions for both SE and NC can be done station at a time, rather than as big multi-billion megaprojects.
If that can be done for 10 bil or less, I say go for it!
If not, I vote setway for the SE until construction costs get... recalibrated.
