Elevate your thinking when it comes to tram extension
AS a strictly “armchair” observer of the controversy surrounding the light rail running down the Gold Coast Hwy towards the airport, I offer my thoughts and a possible solution.
To go underground is too expensive of course, so there is no easy fix to the issues that face us.
Most of the people would be familiar with the elevated heavy rail tracks which traverse the Coomera River flats north of the Gold Coast. The tracks are mounted on large stanchions.
Why can’t we use this system in suitable sections of the light rail at pinch points such as Burleigh and Palm Beach CBD areas? Of course the light rail elevated track would be of a much smaller scale than the heavy rail example as mentioned.
An elevated system, while at first may seem to be a poor option, please allow me to explain further.
If the track were to be raised through Burleigh-Palm Beach and maybe other sections as required, then existing infrastructure at ground level at these points would be largely retained. The tracks would only need to be elevated over short distances of, perhaps less than one kilometre.
Most importantly, however, is that I would imagine that most of the work required would be carried out off site. Once the pylons are positioned down the centre of the roadway, the prepared rail sections could be transported and hoisted in place. Local businesses would not be so greatly affected as has happened in the past.
It would be interesting to consider having some tram stations elevated also. Surely suitable lifts on each side of the road would carry commuters to a raised deck to await trams, leaving traffic below to continue as before.
If such a station was adjacent to an existing or future highrise building, then an extension of the raised walkway could enter the building to provide direct access to the tram network. Imagine how the advertisers would react to this idea.
Having sections of the track elevated would give passengers and tourists a nice view of the surroundings and maybe some beach views.
I would suggest that raising rail sections as stated, would not be so expensive as digging up the roadway and laying tracks at ground level, especially in congested areas such as Burleigh and Palm Beach. The Burleigh bowlers would still continue bowling as before, and hopefully, Burleigh and Palm Beach would retain their village feel.
So, I’m just an armchair observer who loves the Gold Coast. What would I know? But I do possess a common sense, a feature lacking in certain quarters today. WAYNE BAXTER, CLEAR ISLAND WATERS