[themarc]

I have long thought this would be a great idea for Toronto to not only annex a tourist attraction, a wine region, an NFL franchise but also be a good way to hook into the proposed NYC-Chicago high-speed rail corridor (without having to rely on GO Trains).

Thoughts?

 

[mpd618]

The crossing under Lake Ontario would be longer than any current underwater tunnel, and deeper than the Channel Tunnel. Unlike the Channel Tunnel, this would not be a connection between two major world cities, and there are alternative ground connections. It would be ridiculously expensive and likely not worth it. Going around is much more reasonable, at least if (or when) there's a government interested in building quality intercity rail.

 

[grey]

Yeah, I think an expensive, high-tech tourist tunnel should be pretty low on the list of transit priorities right now.

Extremely low.

So low that it never gets built.

 

[themarc]

The crossing under Lake Ontario would be longer than any current underwater tunnel, and deeper than the Channel Tunnel. Unlike the Channel Tunnel, this would not be a connection between two major world cities, and there are alternative ground connections. It would be ridiculously expensive and likely not worth it. Going around is much more reasonable, at least if (or when) there's a government interested in building quality intercity rail.

Underwater or not - the tunnel would only be the ninth longest in the world. Would only run to a depth of a few hundred feet (this end of the lake shallows a bit) and would be built entirely in one country and not at the peril of any storms rolling in off the sea. I bet (tho expensive) it would not be that hard a thing to pull off.

The longest in the world is the NYC water supply and that was done through solid rock!!

 

[themarc]

Yeah, I think an expensive, high-tech tourist tunnel should be pretty low on the list of transit priorities right now.

Extremely low.

So low that it never gets built.

Not when it becomes the southern Ontario feeder line to NYC.

 

[grey]

If the NFL franchise wants to fund it entirely, then whatever. But it would be ridiculously irresponsible for government money to be put towards a frivilous Sports Tunnel during a time when the socioeconomic consequences of not building proper inner-city and inter-regional transit have become quite dire.

Not when it becomes the southern Ontario feeder line to NYC.

There are multiple airlines already covering that route on a constant basis.

 

[themarc]

If the NFL franchise wants to fund it entirely, then whatever. But it would be ridiculously irresponsible for government money to be put towards a frivilous Sports Tunnel during a time when the socioeconomic consequences of not building proper inner-city and inter-regional transit have become quite dire.

Actually the OLG could justify the capital costs with increased Casino traffic. The line would cost about the same as building a new Casino in Niagara...

 

[grey]

Torontonians don't seem to be very interested in travelling to dwindling rust belt towns in western NY -- the Toronto-Rochester hovercraft has failed three times.

Also, GO Transit is already running trains to Niagara.

 

[TransitPolicyChanger]

The line would cost about the same as building a new Casino in Niagara...

Are you sure about that statement?

 

[Tulse]

Torontonians don't seem to be very interested in travelling to dwindling rust belt towns in western NY -- the Toronto-Rochester hovercraft has failed three times.

Exactly -- where is the demand?

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

We can't even get a HS (not even maglev) line between Toronto and Montreal - a proven route; why would anyone bother with a) a high cost, unproven technology b) an alignment with exceptionally high construction costs and c) on a line that can't even support a ferry?

AoD

 

[howl]

Hovercraft!

 

[M II A II R II K]

A Maglev that does at least 300 km/h would be faster even if it goes around the lake. There's also a relatively new tethered tube concept that floats in the water that might be feasible, but it would only be for transit.

Plus the south of Lake Ontario could turn into a built out "New Jersey" in relation to Toronto proper with convenient fast connections in place.

 

[BobBob]

Cheaper and faster: a giant cannon to fire passengers across, safely ensconced in large rubber bubbles.

 

[Voltz]

More likely to first become feasible: human teleportation