tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91824520145083932842024-03-16T11:51:52.049-07:00Urban Life SignsThoughts on people, cities and moving about.Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-88309697637591469142022-11-17T22:07:00.004-08:002022-11-17T23:03:43.248-08:00North American City Flag Tournament - 2022<p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The North American City Flags Tournament started two days ago, on November 16, 2022.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After participating in the <i>NAVA City Flag Survey</i> and its</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); white-space: pre-wrap;"> 312 new city flags</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AND<i> </i>the start of the <i>World Cup of Flags 2022 </i>by the Flag Institute, I thought that combining the greatness of North America's best flags AND a tournament would be great fun.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've culled from over 300 flags, these 80 flags will compete. in the tournament to decide which are the best and the absolute best city flag created since 2000. </span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #e7e9ea; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); color: #e7e9ea; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CityFlagsTourney22?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d9bf0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#CityFlagsTourney22</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #e7e9ea; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/vexillology?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d9bf0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#vexillology</a> @urbanlifesigns</span></span><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi411IdWoIw7xJfA4hEzIeQ8NRtGsnklGVaN54lG8OtspfqeQvxCtHvoQ04E77blVk4ZNgphOiCKbvYj2iUTbalTa7Y7aihswiFlgIB1w2MIEohEJXZHvwac2BGoKgW9YQH4AnJOpBbiUnXTki9bwuZIwxKdYNYilJ4t-EHGmUfPT2C6AyUZyGwWHxE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3100" data-original-width="4096" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi411IdWoIw7xJfA4hEzIeQ8NRtGsnklGVaN54lG8OtspfqeQvxCtHvoQ04E77blVk4ZNgphOiCKbvYj2iUTbalTa7Y7aihswiFlgIB1w2MIEohEJXZHvwac2BGoKgW9YQH4AnJOpBbiUnXTki9bwuZIwxKdYNYilJ4t-EHGmUfPT2C6AyUZyGwWHxE=w640-h485" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.102px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The line ups for the North American City Flags Tournament are from USA and Canada, and are all adopted to the best of my knowledge from 2000 to present. There's one from 1999 in one division, but I make the rules, so I can allow exceptions. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03); white-space: pre-wrap;">(One entry is from 1999, but that's ok, there are always exceptions, plus 2-3 have unknown adoption dates.) </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.102px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340601404166145" dir="auto" id="tweet_2" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I've selected 80 of the best and pretty good flags since 2000 (with the one from 1999). An 80 flag full elimination setup means a lot of good flags may get eliminated too early, so I'm using a bit of the World Cup process with round-robins and elimination rounds. <span class="tw-permalink" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 12px;"><span class="fas fa-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: var(--fa-display,inline-block); font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; line-height: 1; text-rendering: auto;"></span></span></span></div><div class="google-auto-placed ap_container" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; height: auto; text-align: center; width: 700px;"><ins class="adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3755072543989337" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-status="unfilled" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 0px; 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border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" vspace="0" width="700"></iframe></span></div></ins></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">City flags are placed in four geographic divisions:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">West</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Great Plains</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Midwest</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Atlantic</span></li></ul></span></div></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIbQtB8fB8rJqTHFiarKDiNXkhDGD7-EGENyC9cp13e1j1ZkiSG1G-Y9r13OoVXIydJXUBhlgz4wa7s52KJk7H6jj8Jak6iE4hXA1FuyKjNVvsb5j8KDrub8sXhy76qlBTjGhXJquNsPkmYkBmLvsPl4tlTcytJiH_I-4h9BFC45a6436n8DOd9wcy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1200" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIbQtB8fB8rJqTHFiarKDiNXkhDGD7-EGENyC9cp13e1j1ZkiSG1G-Y9r13OoVXIydJXUBhlgz4wa7s52KJk7H6jj8Jak6iE4hXA1FuyKjNVvsb5j8KDrub8sXhy76qlBTjGhXJquNsPkmYkBmLvsPl4tlTcytJiH_I-4h9BFC45a6436n8DOd9wcy=w640-h396" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em;">Because there are so many very good, good, and some decent flags - all 80, I've put 4 flags in each division automatically. All 16 other flags in the division have to fight it out in different round robins and eliminations to get to 4 more to make the final 8 division flags. </span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em;">Shown here is the Midwest Division. Prequalified flags are:</span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591345333572800512" dir="auto" id="tweet_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Des Moines, Dowagiac, South Bend, & Madison WI.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You may agree or disagree, but I had to make a call and elevate these.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That means the lower 16 will compete for the 4 competitive slots to make the final Division 8 teams</span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591345333572800512" dir="auto" id="tweet_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPudC-33JKjYOf2t4DdaktvT2h-9_EJz4zXvo3i3VCGU4hqaIVQKq7unhCLgpwKSy1GJEYLeZUmrlyODhvO3rOlXkP0IzftW1avAxVoB9uMJPhDxXBWm2mX7WG2fj1AlenbCkHsSYgwFcT4XBcQ4gBOKcTH6Udf50bsUiyuRSilYeS2wWd1itVNP-j" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1200" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPudC-33JKjYOf2t4DdaktvT2h-9_EJz4zXvo3i3VCGU4hqaIVQKq7unhCLgpwKSy1GJEYLeZUmrlyODhvO3rOlXkP0IzftW1avAxVoB9uMJPhDxXBWm2mX7WG2fj1AlenbCkHsSYgwFcT4XBcQ4gBOKcTH6Udf50bsUiyuRSilYeS2wWd1itVNP-j=w640-h627" width="640" /></a></div></span><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591350524548632576" dir="auto" id="tweet_6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Midwest has some powerhouse prequalified flags with Des Moines' reinstated bridge flag, Dowagiac's geometric paper fortune teller, South Bend's classic, and the updated Madison WI.</span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWcb3MUcAEEyBe.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWcb3MUcAEEyBe.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWci8JUAAEFLKN.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWci8JUAAEFLKN.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWcowbUoAEIWUC.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhWcowbUoAEIWUC.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; 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border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" vspace="0" width="700"></iframe></span></div></ins></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591350530629984257" dir="auto" id="tweet_7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Animals, trains, airplane inspirations, stars, crossroads, rivers, anchors, boats and the letter "E" are included in the 16 competing flags. Thanks to folks who shared Slater and Peoria which didn't appear in the NAVA survey.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhIRoxksyX7ttwgLy73AynS30gg976x9A7bFL2g7Y3KwBRl13klH7BcM2F584ThoQcYzbR6a4miQbVaZZY5XaS9nebf2QtJc9V-Dwnb-PqBcDX6LQfm-0zvUO_2JcxDsosfqRVB8qBzuXQY7RTQRw8yi69x_Zj_EzTIfXOtyXu4WhS33SuwgXdj-tB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhIRoxksyX7ttwgLy73AynS30gg976x9A7bFL2g7Y3KwBRl13klH7BcM2F584ThoQcYzbR6a4miQbVaZZY5XaS9nebf2QtJc9V-Dwnb-PqBcDX6LQfm-0zvUO_2JcxDsosfqRVB8qBzuXQY7RTQRw8yi69x_Zj_EzTIfXOtyXu4WhS33SuwgXdj-tB=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.07125px;"><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591345333572800512" dir="auto" id="tweet_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.07125px;"><br /></span></div>The Atlantic Division below includes the Premier Flags of: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.07125px;">Coral Springs, Madison GA, Old Town and Burlington, who get an effecitive "bye".</span></div></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.07125px;">Competing in Rounds 1 and 2, are flags with stars, moons, boats, lighthouses, a castle, fountain, and crossing stripes.</span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591340605682364419" dir="auto" id="tweet_3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.07125px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgOyzc89Wl_u5AzhJmLwf_bsVsmsTJorl3OtUfF7wGkPf_SzgyJ1Kz1Dz8ARiGfFrKd3SmX43plxHYxFaywrMUyVdEbI41rIcTHXR0TSoKPDsNxXwJUNkuRR5oz0bM9FHFcyMoYERfR-Q370L6FdJUBtqIVHyREIC_n8FRxnWo94Soon1sGd3Ec8u8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1200" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgOyzc89Wl_u5AzhJmLwf_bsVsmsTJorl3OtUfF7wGkPf_SzgyJ1Kz1Dz8ARiGfFrKd3SmX43plxHYxFaywrMUyVdEbI41rIcTHXR0TSoKPDsNxXwJUNkuRR5oz0bM9FHFcyMoYERfR-Q370L6FdJUBtqIVHyREIC_n8FRxnWo94Soon1sGd3Ec8u8=w640-h614" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591498842851401728" dir="auto" id="tweet_10" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Atlantic's prequalified flags include Coral Springs' sunshine, Madison's watersheds, Old Town's canoe, and Burlington's lakes and mountains. All solid flags.</span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjdC-VIAAI4Wz.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjdC-VIAAI4Wz.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjlmQVQAAyorm.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjlmQVQAAyorm.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjpJYVQAAG1Ks.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjpJYVQAAG1Ks.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYjwEQVEAIF6tJ.png" style="background-color: transparent; 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border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" vspace="0" width="700"></iframe></span></div></ins></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591499986910707712" dir="auto" id="tweet_11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Lots of diverse styles competing 16 but few zingers greats.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Thanks to <a class="entity-mention" href="https://twitter.com/KeystoneFlag" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">@KeystoneFlag</a> who shared Gettysburg which didn't appear in the NAVA survey due to its adoption in 2000. Yes and we've added Kingston ON because:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="nop nop-start" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1. </span>Castles are cool<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="nop nop-start" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2. </span>Frankly the east has fewer great flags</span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591499986910707712" dir="auto" id="tweet_11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDjvgRgjKdEMkAGf9-gHEbKGj4C544hzCZWZob-APW-HgoAhb0GE6m4OwLB71_p-aUNIKHUBpItdF0jmUPqzCq6Cm0HRPpgywtZEGV0TgRa2hVwrJhtPEZfRiYA0cBm1n5UEgQL-qgiKx-9yI8T61ChoZ-euWodgo64av70gZ4TR-Ha2ixVfReZSQJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1200" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDjvgRgjKdEMkAGf9-gHEbKGj4C544hzCZWZob-APW-HgoAhb0GE6m4OwLB71_p-aUNIKHUBpItdF0jmUPqzCq6Cm0HRPpgywtZEGV0TgRa2hVwrJhtPEZfRiYA0cBm1n5UEgQL-qgiKx-9yI8T61ChoZ-euWodgo64av70gZ4TR-Ha2ixVfReZSQJ=w640-h410" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1591957280882397186" dir="auto" id="tweet_12" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The third of four divisions, the West Division has powerhouses like Portland, Spokane and Pocatello, as well as newbies like SLC, and Bellingham.</span></span><span class="entity-image" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhfEZHsVQAAqdEd.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhfEZHsVQAAqdEd.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;" /></span></a></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592191707449548803" dir="auto" id="tweet_13" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The West's 4 prequalified flags that automatically will go to Round 3 are Aspen CO's snowflake in a leaf, Spokane's river and falls, Pocatello ID's mountains, and Portland's rivers and forests.</span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZUjRUAAAuzat.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZUjRUAAAuzat.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZZLOVEAA08s3.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZZLOVEAA08s3.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZc_IUAAAE2jD.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZc_IUAAAE2jD.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZ5RKVsAAM_J-.png" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhiZ5RKVsAAM_J-.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592197057242345473" dir="auto" id="tweet_14" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The remaining 16 competing flags of the West will compete to get one of the 4 open Premier flag spots. Round 1 is a round robin to narrow the field to 8 flags, followed by Round 2 in which the top 4 compete in elimination matches to get to Premier status.</span></span><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhid76_UYAAU4Nu.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhid76_UYAAU4Nu.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;" /></span></a></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592197061738274817" dir="auto" id="tweet_15" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Salt Lake City ranks as one of the largest cities with a new city design- will that factor in? or will small Seward Alaska pull out a surprise? Or will the silhouette of an elk muscle into the top 4 over the tight knot of Palouse WA? </span></span><span class="tw-permalink" style="background-color: #1e2e3e; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cccccc; display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; width: 12px;"><span class="fas fa-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: var(--fa-display,inline-block); font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; line-height: 1; text-rendering: auto;"></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592197061738274817" dir="auto" id="tweet_15" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592200142953730050" dir="auto" id="tweet_16" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Great Plains Division is a POWERHOUSE Division. Comprised of only 6 states and 2 provinces, North America's plains have been breeding superb city designs.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I wouldn't be surprised to see 2-3 of these are in the semi finals.</span><span class="entity-image" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhifiNAUoAAqArc.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhifiNAUoAAqArc.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;" /></span></a></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592200146724741120" dir="auto" id="tweet_17" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Powerhouse Kansas has 2 premier flags and 8 flags in the competing group. Not to be outdone, Nebraska & Texas each have 3 in competition. Canada is represented by Altona Manitoba.</span><span class="entity-image" style="background-color: #15202b; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eeeeee; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhigzs6UoAEGXaA.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1da1f2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhigzs6UoAEGXaA.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;" /></span></a></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592247125349642240" dir="auto" id="tweet_18" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dodge City, Sioux Falls, Topeka and Tulsa are all such strong designs they could win the tournament. Thus they are in the Premier slots for Great Plains.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/vexillology" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#vexillology</a> <a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/vexillologie" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#vexillologie</a> <a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/cityflag" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#cityflag</a> <a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/flag" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#flag</a> <a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/CityFlagsTourney22" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#CityFlagsTourney22</a></span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjJzrSVsAAIZAI.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjJzrSVsAAIZAI.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKfv1UYAAYdX9.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKfv1UYAAYdX9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKooWVIAUj0FH.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKooWVIAUj0FH.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKtd8UAAA8BLN.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjKtd8UAAA8BLN.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span></span></div><div class="google-auto-placed ap_container" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; height: auto; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; width: 700px;"><ins class="adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3755072543989337" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-status="unfilled" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto;"><div aria-label="Advertisement" id="aswift_5_host" style="background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 0px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 700px;" tabindex="0" title="Advertisement"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" data-google-container-id="a!6" data-google-query-id="CLeZz4qDt_sCFYE8wQodwnoKyQ" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="0" hspace="0" id="aswift_5" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_5" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" scrolling="no" src="https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-3755072543989337&output=html&h=280&adk=3112109425&adf=2986861879&pi=t.aa~a.1695081512~i.43~rp.4&w=700&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1668750240&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=7152865607&ad_type=text_image&format=700x280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthreadreaderapp.com%2Fthread%2F1591340599718064128%3Frefresh%3D1668750233&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=175&rw=700&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAIgNTXmwYQoqTitZ76rMx8Ej8AskdW-pn1Y8jiOo3EHjB1JP4nXTPfS6BxL4dNQJpn9Pl87C-73JW5iyG5cDjKQMsdkDMA6rpTyxw5nNZT46o&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjE1LjciLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDcuMC41MzA0LjExMCIsW10sZmFsc2UsbnVsbCwiNjQiLFtbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMDcuMC41MzA0LjExMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDcuMC41MzA0LjExMCJdLFsiTm90PUE_QnJhbmQiLCIyNC4wLjAuMCJdXSxmYWxzZV0.&dt=1668750235468&bpp=1&bdt=583&idt=1&shv=r20221110&mjsv=m202211100101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D7c9e476479f6863e-221be7e6e0d60090%3AT%3D1668280048%3ART%3D1668280048%3AS%3DALNI_Ma6u5bRD7Zt07KrcTQrAuzUx7bYSg&gpic=UID%3D000008f82c916941%3AT%3D1668280048%3ART%3D1668750216%3AS%3DALNI_Mbw0Dn5hY-HlUzXZb3Rv1nVxT12WA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C930x280%2C700x280%2C700x280%2C700x280&nras=5&correlator=7878330928951&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1292540249.1668280048&ga_sid=1668750235&ga_hid=2142106899&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-480&u_his=2&u_h=1050&u_w=1680&u_ah=1027&u_aw=1680&u_cd=30&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=449&ady=6511&biw=1597&bih=916&scr_x=0&scr_y=2869&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759842%2C44773809%2C42531706%2C44776004%2C44770881&oid=2&pvsid=2886360522449963&tmod=241659035&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthreadreaderapp.com%2Fthread%2F1591340599718064128.html&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=44%2C23%2C44%2C23%2C1680%2C23%2C1597%2C1027%2C1597%2C916&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-11-18-02&ifi=6&uci=a!6&btvi=4&fsb=1&xpc=QHdkwf0N4v&p=https%3A//threadreaderapp.com&dtd=5363" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" vspace="0" width="700"></iframe></span></div></ins></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592271335694434304" dir="auto" id="tweet_19" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I don't know what's going on in the Great Plains but some these 16 flags competing for 4 premier slots could easily be "Premier" status in other divisions. Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas have such an abundance of new and well designed city flags!</span></span><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjh2exVQAADqLS.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjh2exVQAADqLS.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;" /></span></a></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592274143701270528" dir="auto" id="tweet_20" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So folks know, in Round 1, we'll see the two top vote getters move to Round 2.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That means we'll first have Altona, Corpus Christi, Augusta, and Ashland in competition.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The two flags with most and second most votes move on to Round 2 against the other top 2 votes of each column</span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjintyUUAASF_7.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjintyUUAASF_7.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjDlpUYAABjE7.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjDlpUYAABjE7.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjGhLVQAAwrl8.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjGhLVQAAwrl8.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjRTdUYAEbTpj.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjjRTdUYAEbTpj.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592274147589361665" dir="auto" id="tweet_21" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Similarly, Round 1 will see Kingman, Newton, Lincoln, and Lindsborg in a round robin, with the two higher vote getters moving to Round 2.</span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjkef6VUAAczbv.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjkef6VUAAczbv.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjkpuSVQAEWv7P.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjkpuSVQAEWv7P.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjks5LUAAEoc6U.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhjks5LUAAEoc6U.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjkzeKUAAAiOqu.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhjkzeKUAAAiOqu.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592276391936286721" dir="auto" id="tweet_22" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So imagine if each flag got these votes: Top two vote getters were Kingman 45, and Lincoln 32, plus Corpus Christi 34 and Altona 29, then in Round 2 elimination, Kingman & Altona would meet, while Corpus Christi & Lincoln would meet.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/CityFlagsTourney22" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#CityFlagsTourney22</a> <span class="tw-permalink" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 12px;"><span class="fas fa-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: var(--fa-display,inline-block); font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; line-height: 1; text-rendering: auto;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592276720522244096" dir="auto" id="tweet_23" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">However, rather than these 2 sets of 2 meeting in Round 2, there would be 4 sets of 2, ultimately yielding 4 competitively selected Premier Flags in the division, to compete against the preapproved flags. <a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/CityFlagsTourney22" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#CityFlagsTourney22</a><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />See the tournament diagram below:<span class="tw-permalink" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden; width: 12px;"><span class="fas fa-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: var(--fa-display,inline-block); font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; line-height: 1; text-rendering: auto;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592276720522244096" dir="auto" id="tweet_23" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBgc2mlY9Qegjfb99kNbBAY9ODYpfxGKNZSm2oQwCF0zWlGEroeFvguyITChTbDYYpk0SGVKKDaPZzwVmkoMgwCSP6uUo9XpIoxoNeAp2FAcPkU_DCsNztCsaKLX4-eAsPDaRJ6iCOCungVsEZLJMTHr01aa5dIyMFPPSIXSCXgvaRqL6K54Ov2fU/s3000/CityFlagTournie2022_1116-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="3000" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBgc2mlY9Qegjfb99kNbBAY9ODYpfxGKNZSm2oQwCF0zWlGEroeFvguyITChTbDYYpk0SGVKKDaPZzwVmkoMgwCSP6uUo9XpIoxoNeAp2FAcPkU_DCsNztCsaKLX4-eAsPDaRJ6iCOCungVsEZLJMTHr01aa5dIyMFPPSIXSCXgvaRqL6K54Ov2fU/w640-h602/CityFlagTournie2022_1116-01.png" width="640" /></a></div></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em;"><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592276720522244096" dir="auto" id="tweet_23" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em;"><br /></span></div>Showcasing North American City Flag Tournament flags from the Midwest Division from Round 1, we have Manhattan KS, Norman OK, Milford NE, and Baldwin City KS.</span></div><div class="content-tweet allow-preview" data-action="click->thread#showTweet" data-controller="thread" data-screenname="urbanlifesigns" data-tweet="1592317113016143872" dir="auto" id="tweet_24" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition: all 1s ease 0s;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Which 2 of these flags will make it to Round 2?!?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a class="entity-hashtag" href="https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/CityFlagsTourney22" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">#CityFlagsTourney22</a></span></span><span class="row justify-content-center entity-multiple-4" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: charter, Georgia, Cambria, "times new roman", Times, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; justify-content: center !important; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLU6bUYAAU-_R.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLU6bUYAAU-_R.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8rem; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLaUAUoAAzbsH.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLaUAUoAAzbsH.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8rem; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLmGKUUAAeXKn.png" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLmGKUUAAeXKn.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8rem; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span><span class="col-md-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 365px;"><span class="entity-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLtOxVUAEUQDT.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Image" class=" b-loaded" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhkLtOxVUAEUQDT.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(56, 68, 77); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8rem; margin: 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 335px;" /></span></a></span></span></span></div></div></div></div><br /></span></div></div>Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-3504502720418459212019-12-31T23:47:00.000-08:002020-06-01T00:51:08.799-07:00The Fog & Gold Flag for San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Fog & Gold Flag is now available for purchase! Find all different sizes and options at <a href="http://www.sffoggoldflag.com/">www.SFfogGoldFlag.com</a></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The City of San Francisco deserves a compelling, attractive, unique, and symbolic flag. Cities should have a way to rally around their place through a symbol, much how sports fans rally around the colors and logos of their team. Such a beloved, controversial, challenged, sometimes groundbreaking and beautiful city would do well with a flag to show civic pride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Having a phoenix represent the city that has survived at least 3 major fires that destroyed nearly all of the city is a good symbolic choice. Let's make our flag a more compelling and </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">attractive flag than the current city flag dating from 1940.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EINdEXmWdjx7x8af_IXadp1NwnDbFI_Wf7LyL5OwXadAoKWGVa2nhX-4eCxU7Xp4pdykrWrxwcy20Rljfm3VGHDJbh7ZYjM6Pu8WHLIajkOsP37yKSMqohsqWq0tWa01Ky_gK0d9bNs/s1600/San+Francisco+Adapted+Phoenix+Flag_2019_11_clippingMask_Measurements2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EINdEXmWdjx7x8af_IXadp1NwnDbFI_Wf7LyL5OwXadAoKWGVa2nhX-4eCxU7Xp4pdykrWrxwcy20Rljfm3VGHDJbh7ZYjM6Pu8WHLIajkOsP37yKSMqohsqWq0tWa01Ky_gK0d9bNs/s640/San+Francisco+Adapted+Phoenix+Flag_2019_11_clippingMask_Measurements2-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fog & Gold Flag of San Francisco, by Brian Stokle (2019)<br />
Flag with 3x5 proportions, shown as 6x10. Phoenix and flames horizontally centered on the eye of the phoenix while vertically centered on where the outspread wings meet the neck of the bird.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Per the <a href="https://nava.org/good-flag-bad-flag/">North American Vexillological Association</a> (the association dedicated to studying flags), the five principles of a good flag design are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Keep it simple. </b>The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory. (not sure what age, but let's say a 7 year old since I have one that age.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Use Meaningful Symbolism. </b>The flag's images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors. </b>Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>No Lettering or Seals. </b>Never use writing of any kind or an organization's seal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Be Distinctive or Be Related. </b>Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ever since seeing <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/roman_mars_why_city_flags_may_be_the_worst_designed_thing_you_ve_never_noticed">Roman Mars' 2015 talk on flags</a>, which highlighted the San Francisco flag, I've been on a personal quest, rather journey, to have a better flag for San Francisco. I wrote about some of my <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/10/chronicle-of-flag-design.html">earlier ideas for flags in 2017</a>. Below is my rolling fog flag which is one of the few passable ones. You can also seem my first ever attempt further down. You be the judge on whether its hideous, fascinating or not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<img height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt9n2KGA-Gpie18dZChm7wAUeeKg3cXnuAxpCS8lBUgMskAEYttXlHRbwxofohIkAKjbbSnXNz5N_ni8naXjMaaQiNguDOTcyOfFSSSczv89_71PL3wBh9DTWq8YaTtnPjbsn0CksT-E/s400/SF+Flag_FogFlag_1GOLD-01.png" width="400" /> </div>
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Rolling Fog Flag of San Francisco by Brian Stokle (2017)</div>
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<img alt="Image" height="240" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI8zhOAUsAA4pWo?format=jpg&name=medium" width="400" /></div>
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Foggy Gate Flag of San Francisco by Brian Stokle (2015)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: #373737; font-size: 16px;">The bottom line - San Francisco needs a better flag than its current 1940 design. </b><span style="color: #373737;">At the core, I just want a good flag to represent the city I love and live in. Whether I design it is irrelevant, but I'll try my darnedest to get a better flag for our city. If it's a design I helped make, or someone else's, so be it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After crafting many different designs myself, while also being inspired (or disuaded) from other designs for the City, I came to a critical moment when I read John Lumea's most excellent piece on the history of San Francisco's Flag. Titled, <a href="https://medium.com/@emperor65/the-original-san-francisco-flag-was-better-and-cooler-lets-bring-it-back-e7537443dcd9">"The Original San Francisco Flag Was Better and Cooler. Let's Bring It Back!"</a>, Lumea carries us down the path of how the flag was originally designed in 1900, how it was displayed, and ultimately changed to its current less than inspiring design, yet still has some strong elements. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1500/1*WJUPLW4yqEitXJ6OBwpXUQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="by gy" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Rendering of the 1900 flag for San Francisco. </span><span style="background-color: white;">This appears to be the original drawing submitted by policeman John M. Gamble for his winning concept. Source:</span><span class="by gy" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a class="bi cv gz ha hb hc" href="https://archive.org/stream/sanfranciscomuni50sanfrich#page/n681" rel="noopener nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 0px calc(1em + 1px); background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\"><line x1=\"0\" y1=\"0\" x2=\"1\" y2=\"1\" stroke=\"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.84)\" /></svg>"); text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">San Francisco Municipal Reports for 1899–1900.</a></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Flag of San Francisco" height="427" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_San_Francisco.svg/2560px-Flag_of_San_Francisco.svg.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current (2020) </td></tr>
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San Francisco's flag does work <i>well </i>on a few of the principles and general good design regarding the following elements:<br />
<br />
<b>Principle 2:</b> Meaningful symbol - a phoenix<br />
<br />
The flag is "ok" on being s<b>imple or distinctive</b> related to the gold border with a white field.<br />
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However the flag overall fails on most of the principles:<br />
<br />
<b>Principal 1: </b>Keep it simple. The bird is too complicated, as is the ribbon.<br />
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<b>Principal 3:</b> Use 2 or 3 colors. The flag's base is rather basic with white and gold, but when you add in the bird, motto ribbon, and city name, it totals six colors.<br />
<br />
<b>Principal 4:</b> Never use lettering or seals. The original design had the city motto, and the current flag has the motto <i>and</i> the name of the city on it! "If you need to write the name of what you're representing on your flag, your symbolism has failed." says Ted Kaye of the North American Vexillological Association.<br />
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<b>Principal 5: </b>Be distinctive or related: The overall design is not distinctive due to its failure on the other principles, and it looks like a bit of a jumbled mess of text, ugly bird, and ribbons. Two other major cities have a phoenix (Atlanta, GA, and Phoenix, AZ), and that's ok. However I don't relate to the flag or make a connection to my city.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fog and Gold Design</span></b><br />
So I set out to make a flag that used the relatable phoenix that symbolizes the city's resilience after fires in the 1850s, and the rebirth after the Great 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Here is my final design and submission for your consideration.<br />
<br />
Elements and symbolism:<br />
1. Phoenix and fire shape are based on the 1929 version of the flag with some minor adjustments, including adding a few feathers to the head, and opening up the eye a bit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="544" src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5060/1*RE_XimWMeU34keCNshUjMA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="by gy" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">(caption from John Lumea's blog entry) Photograph of a detail of the original San Francisco flag.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> This design was executed in 1900 and in use until sometime in the 1930s. The photo, dated no later than 1927, is from the second volume of the two-volume scrapbook, “Album of San Francisco,” compiled by Hamilton Henry Dobbin (1856–1930). Collection of the California State Library. Library catalog listing via </span><a class="bi cv gz ha hb hc" href="https://calisphere.org/item/804aac79d12b7799fed09190402ad43c/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 0px calc(1em + 1px); background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\"><line x1=\"0\" y1=\"0\" x2=\"1\" y2=\"1\" stroke=\"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.84)\" /></svg>"); text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Calisphere</a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></td></tr>
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2. Flame color: International orange like the Golden Gate Bridge<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">hexidecimal color code #e74000, a slightly deeper red color than official Golden Gate Bridge International Orange and a touch of cyan. I call it Flame International Orange. </span><br />
<br />
3. Phoenix color: Crimson for the loss of life and blood from our disasters, first San Franciscan Ohlones, union workers, soldiers, and activists throughout history.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">hexidecimal color code #8d0000, a variant of crimson red. I call it Brown Crimson.</span><br />
<br />
4. Gray: Should San Francisco's flag show our distinctive and well known flag? The answer is a resounding YES!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">hexidecimal color code #a7a9ac</span><br />
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5. Gold: The city blossomed into its metropolis state thanks to the California Gold Rush. Gold represents that history, as well as the city's bold pride to take its own distinctive path.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">hexidecimal color code #</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">FDBB1B, which is a variant of Golden Poppy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBc19BGuHcapB0G-LGjJWQTOymZ50P-X7QEUdSMK2jrTLeAO-itkQt5IcpqsALCNRVoUnkc2ehRoJekI8zhb53yjpre0W-nPu_pzmRUNKQXpQI6BEyHom56aIig7zdPpFAhLZZ-lwTdgU/s1600/San+Francisco+Adapted+Phoenix+Flag_2019_11_clippingMask-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBc19BGuHcapB0G-LGjJWQTOymZ50P-X7QEUdSMK2jrTLeAO-itkQt5IcpqsALCNRVoUnkc2ehRoJekI8zhb53yjpre0W-nPu_pzmRUNKQXpQI6BEyHom56aIig7zdPpFAhLZZ-lwTdgU/s640/San+Francisco+Adapted+Phoenix+Flag_2019_11_clippingMask-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog and Gold Flag of San Francisco, by Brian Stokle (2019)</td></tr>
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How do we make a better flag for San Francisco?<br />
1. Order flags from me and hang them out your window.<br />
2. If you'd like to submit your own design or push for a better flag, organize and write letters to your elected officials, and community groups.<br />
3. Sponsor a competition and get a good design panel that represents all aspects of San Francisco and has some good design folks on the panel that understand flags.<br />
4. Finally, when the City selects a new flag, whether the Fog & Gold Flag or not, ti will need to change the language of the official ordinance, most likely. If Fog & Gold were selected, I'd change the Administrative code.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv5gdZFJNuDe_WgwyEWlfiAcNw1iWyLZVbkVpBSdOXNQMj-AaEajHdT4cd6CT8J_u-ae5T6fF8tiXsh5w-nkZPOPYS5gmAol3jOQfmI-t6gQFmdi3m9xN7hFgNUxwvo8UgwXJaXWw8nQ/s1600/San+Francisco+Admin+Code_Official+City+Flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="1276" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv5gdZFJNuDe_WgwyEWlfiAcNw1iWyLZVbkVpBSdOXNQMj-AaEajHdT4cd6CT8J_u-ae5T6fF8tiXsh5w-nkZPOPYS5gmAol3jOQfmI-t6gQFmdi3m9xN7hFgNUxwvo8UgwXJaXWw8nQ/s640/San+Francisco+Admin+Code_Official+City+Flag.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/California/administrative/chapter1generalprovisions?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:sanfrancisco_ca$anc=JD_1.3">Official San Francisco Administrative Code regarding the city's flag design.</a> </td></tr>
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Below what I'd revise it to.<br />
<img alt="Image" height="264" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EGVZD6hVUAQtac_?format=jpg&name=large" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I'll be ordering 3'x5' flags to show with pride from our homes and throughout the city. Who's in?<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
UPDATE: April 2020</h3>
<div>
Hey folks, I was able to order flags. Now you can get them by going to the new website: <a href="http://www.sffoggoldflag.com/">www.SFfogGoldFlag.com. </a></div>
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In addition, there are new Twitter and Instagram accounts: @SFfogGoldFlag</div>
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Lastly, take a look at the nice article that San Francisco Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub wrote about the flag, its creation and its meaning during the coronavirus pandemic and the shelter-in-place order. </div>
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<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/The-flag-San-Francisco-needs-is-flying-with-a-15232690.php">https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/The-flag-San-Francisco-needs-is-flying-with-a-15232690.php</a></div>
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-23182156341127265662018-06-03T00:34:00.000-07:002019-11-18T23:51:43.958-08:00Station placement matters: DTX goes down Pennsylvania<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
San Francisco's Downtown Rail Extension (DTX) route has been decided. The San Francisco Planning Department <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">selected the "Pennsylvania" </a>option as the preferred alignment to bring Caltrain and high-speed rail to the Transbay Transit Center.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkE_aAps_0RkgtQhqv4fylLfKQecCmv_nw1DJxECpmucBj_KvkV4Xlzamtv-0tCE31D3eQ2CorEmWQRTnp1KsOpi3kjpx61tHgDdaNWPIRgF7hfPJtQSjeH1zMwmwrkNPjInY3cRN_rk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+9.01.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1109" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkE_aAps_0RkgtQhqv4fylLfKQecCmv_nw1DJxECpmucBj_KvkV4Xlzamtv-0tCE31D3eQ2CorEmWQRTnp1KsOpi3kjpx61tHgDdaNWPIRgF7hfPJtQSjeH1zMwmwrkNPjInY3cRN_rk/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+9.01.32+AM.png" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vision of Caltrain stops in San Francisco once DTX opens. Blue shows walk distance up to 1/3 mile and orange is a 10 minute bus or Muni Metro ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now what?<br />
Let's open the question of where the new stations on the line should go. Assuming they should be placed where they are today assumes that the location decisions may 50-100 years ago is the best for today.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX62jRPeulH7zDdV_SuUObLSBOXp8tdS8y4-N3-Fl0HSZckVf76pr6smZvipItmmVBVpDn9CyqgUeZZRd714xsxbVz6dhZ0LaKfMWl4WBokl7xylnBfaaBhR7okcCvhKpRT5sTgqG0yGM/s1600/Caltrain_theFutureIsWorthIt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="1600" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX62jRPeulH7zDdV_SuUObLSBOXp8tdS8y4-N3-Fl0HSZckVf76pr6smZvipItmmVBVpDn9CyqgUeZZRd714xsxbVz6dhZ0LaKfMWl4WBokl7xylnBfaaBhR7okcCvhKpRT5sTgqG0yGM/s640/Caltrain_theFutureIsWorthIt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Caltrain vehicles will be coming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are many questions about financing the project, who will build it, what's needed to be cleared environmentally, how long will it take, and when will it actually open. I won't be addressing those questions. I don't have the answers but will say, fund it, and HURRY UP!<br />
<br />
I'm here to discuss the stations and where to put them. A lot of thought goes into these mega projects, but sometimes, due to complexity, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/09/keep-dtx-stations-high-and-dry.html">some items are given less attention</a> than they deserve. What am I getting at? I'm saying, <b>we have a <i>new tunnel, </i></b>which will have <i>new and more frequent service</i>, yet we haven't discussed station locations and often assume that the existing ones are fine without asking ourselves, <b>where would the best station locations actually be?</b><br />
<br />
Cities are messy, exciting, thriving and complicated places that have projects that must adapt to the existing city. Yet, we have here, with the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX), a chance to <i>decide</i> where to place our stations. And when we decide where to place stations, <b>let's make sure they have a solid and easy transfer to a future 2nd Transbay Crossing.</b> We don't want to have a "missed connection" in which stations are too far apart and require a long transfer or don't even allow a transfer. Imagine, if the highway system had created one freeway, but a 2nd crossing freeway was built, that it just missed the first, or didn't offer a connection. Would seem silly <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/23/missed-connection-why-there-is-no-interchange-at-hwy-87-and-i-880/">(but does exist, rarely.)</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0oCdWzc-r7-5vlUSpdaFxM4WzB31PhcKt8VtWwn9uFnGy5VCb1xwBMPkFid7gBSuBcr-HtG2c07aOrcwEzqBnHHzq3ilW3N4o0FzH4jKtt50MtZ0_lrKGggMNHq1oBo53t3axhAYK9Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-05-14+at+11.27.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0oCdWzc-r7-5vlUSpdaFxM4WzB31PhcKt8VtWwn9uFnGy5VCb1xwBMPkFid7gBSuBcr-HtG2c07aOrcwEzqBnHHzq3ilW3N4o0FzH4jKtt50MtZ0_lrKGggMNHq1oBo53t3axhAYK9Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-05-14+at+11.27.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transbay Center's decorative skin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's most important?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>1. DTX - Peninsula rail access into Downtown San Francisco:</b> Getting Caltrain passengers and High Speed Rail passengers into Downtown San Francisco is critical. More people will use Caltrain once it gets to the Salad Spinner Transit Center (err, Transbay Transit Center), and fewer people will "have to" drive.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Connections to other transit: </b>Making easy, short, and legible transfers between stations so <i>people</i> can get to where they need to go easily. That means making Caltrain and BART have great transfers. The BART to Caltrain transfer between Embarcadero and Transbay Center will be long and isn't even certain of being built. So let's make sure a 2nd Transbay rail line makes a great transfer with Caltrain, whether it's in Downtown, at 4th & King or in Mission Bay.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Stations located where ridership demand is and will be the highest. </b>Why have a station where few people will use it. Let's make stations be where the most people can benefit from them, whether they live nearby, work nearby, shop nearby, go to school nearby or take their kids to school or daycare nearby.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's set in stone, and what do we have?</span></b><br />
<br />
Based on the Pennsylvania Alignment and the existing rail line through San Francisco we have two things that are pretty much set in stone:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Stations:</b> Only the Transbay Transit Center (aka Salesforce Transit Center) or "Salad Spinner" for short is set. This location isn't moving. All other stations current, past, or planned are not set because we're building a new tunnel. A new tunnel will require new stations to be built, whether they're in the same place as their current location or in a new place.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Alignment: </b>now that the Penn alignment is picked, and the existing rail from Potrero Hill to Brisbane is set, we can know where tracks are and will go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoSQlDxZTFf-RwEEIBGkYJzwzdxdnlGNV0kBrilDax-PoniL16c9-sMaeloz0Koe-hQ_WLRr-Cjjj7v8bRVkndN1Dx-HjLsbW9kP7cZ2gxuKOEttixKVik7qR0eWrvrLUCw98DGAWRp4/s1600/RAB-Study-Recomended-Alignment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoSQlDxZTFf-RwEEIBGkYJzwzdxdnlGNV0kBrilDax-PoniL16c9-sMaeloz0Koe-hQ_WLRr-Cjjj7v8bRVkndN1Dx-HjLsbW9kP7cZ2gxuKOEttixKVik7qR0eWrvrLUCw98DGAWRp4/s640/RAB-Study-Recomended-Alignment.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SF Planning's preferred Pennsylvania Ave alignment that was chosen over the Mission Bay (Third St) alignment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's fluid, pending or undecided?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>3. </b><b>Location of other stations </b>between Downtown San Francisco and South San Francisco. I'll be focusing on San Francisco's station options.<br />
<br />
<b>4. </b>Alignment and station locations of a BART <b><i>2nd Transbay Crossing</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> Will the Salad Spinner (aka Salesforce Transit Center) have trains punch out to the east to reach Oakland, or loop back? Will it become a through station, or a stub end station with more limited capacity in the long run?<br />
<br />
<b>6. </b>Where and <b>how will passengers using Caltrain/HSR get across the bay </b>to reach Oakland, especially along a new 2nd Transbay Crossing? Will it follow <b>a through train </b>crossing the bay to Oakland? Will riders make the 900+ foot walk to BART's Embarcadero Station or make a transfer to a new 2nd Transbay BART line that's a shorter walk?<br />
<br />
I won't be answering #5 or #6 but will attempt to answer #3 and #4.<br />
<br />
Let's see if stations should stay at their existing locations, be relocated, and where new stations should be. A preliminary note: train stations don't often have a single cross street or entry point. All these stations are actually a long rectangle box that often have exits on each end and in the middle. I've assumed that stations are about 700 feet long, especially for BART trains.<br />
Current and planned stations:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Transbay Center (planned)</li>
<li>Fourth and Townsend (Fourth and King currently)</li>
<li>22nd Street</li>
<li>Oakdale (planned)</li>
<li>Bayshore</li>
</ol>
If we step back, let's look at where these stations are. Would a 2nd new BART line go through it? Are they working well as station locations? Could the be better designed? Or would a new location be better? First we'll look at the priorities in placing a 2nd BART line through San Francisco, then at the stations.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2nd Transbay BART:</span></b><br />
A second transbay BART line could go in a number of locations where it crosses Caltrain, but it's most likely to pass through SoMa, Mission Bay or both. Anywhere between 16th Street and Market is a potential alignment area for BART. Bottom line - we must make a key priority be that a great (efficient, quick and humane) transfer location between Caltrain and BART be actively pursued and built.<br />
<br />
The risk is that without a chosen 2nd Bay Crossing alignment, the transfer point between BART and Caltrain will be missing or weak.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Possibilities (map forthcoming)</h3>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mission or Howard BART line: a WIN! as short pedestrian tunnels would connect to the Transbay Center <i>in between </i>Mission and Howard stations.</li>
<li>2nd Street BART line: </li>
<ol>
<li>Transbay Center: a win, as the west end of the train station is only 170 feet from 2nd Street.</li>
<li>Townsend: Not a good spot as the closest each line get to each other would be 2nd/Townsend BART and a 3rd/Townsend Caltrain station: a 900 foot distance. </li>
</ol>
<li>3rd Street BART line: </li>
<ol>
<li>Transbay Center: at 1,200 feet from the Transbay Center, this is a <i>very poor </i>choice for connecting BART to Caltrain. It's even still relatively far from the nearest Market Street station (Montgomery) at 600 foot distance.</li>
<li>Townsend: 3rd Street is one block away from planned 4th & Townsend station, <i>but if the Caltrain station where moved </i>one block to the east, they could be on top of each other at 3rd & Townsend.</li>
</ol>
<li>5th Street BART line: </li>
<ol>
<li>Transbay Center: Very far away. At 3,100 feet away, this cannot be considered a transfer.</li>
<li>BART Market Street: a very good for transfers (it's at Powell Station), but bad for missing Downtown San Francisco.</li>
<li>Townsend: the planned Caltrain station lies between 4th and 5th streets, so this would be the main Caltrain/BART transfer point due to the closer connection. A very good option from a transfer perspective.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stations</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Transbay Center </span>- aka Salad Spinner Center</b><br />
As mentioned above, <b>not moving</b>. Also, located right at the center of our 21st century downtown San Francisco.<br />
<br />
<b>Transfer Station: </b>A 2nd Transbay BART line could pass here and create a great transfer if it were located along 2nd Street, Main Street, Mission Street or Howard Street. Anywhere else, such as the proposed 3rd Street BART alignment, is too far away (i.e. from First & Minna at the center of the train station, it's nearly half a mile to a 3rd and Mission BART station. A transfer to the existing BART & Muni station at Embarcadero is good, but at 900 feet long, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/05/ped-tunnel-vision.html">the pedestrian tunnel to connect under Beale Street</a> cannot be considered an optimal transfer.<br />
<br />
As shown in the map below, a 2nd Street BART station would be within the quarter mile walk shed of the planned main exits of the train center onto First and Fremont Streets. With a connecting tunnel from the west end of the Transbay Center to 2nd St for BART, the connection is quite close.<br />
<br />
<b>Local bus: </b>Ten regular Muni bus lines and three express bus lines will be stoping at the new Transbay Center. Connections to the city are considerable, with many more bus lines available on Market Street. The orange lines show which frequent buses stop at Transbay: 5-Fulton, 7-Haight/Noriega, 14-Mission and 38-Geary<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkBPkrPm0v2SI0pp-fTjvenrcq8tz9YxDtZNV0bJMkO5hePZlTJi3O2E77DyDsh4A6NXUSYOs5F62RlWOGzmaEmc0s4FUdxkAuUuaqsx7llLDRqowBmkwMbLzvh08jkOmoJDSxYbHJlM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+10.46.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1600" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkBPkrPm0v2SI0pp-fTjvenrcq8tz9YxDtZNV0bJMkO5hePZlTJi3O2E77DyDsh4A6NXUSYOs5F62RlWOGzmaEmc0s4FUdxkAuUuaqsx7llLDRqowBmkwMbLzvh08jkOmoJDSxYbHJlM/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+10.46.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarter and Third Mile walk sheds from the Transit Center's Fremont and First Street exits. Orange lines denote transit lines that serve the station and reach out to a 10 minute journey time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth Street</span></b><br />
<b>Neighborhood: </b>The station here is located in a decent place - near the existing SoMa job sites and housing, as well as pretty close to Mission Bay and the future dense Central SoMa area along 4th & 5th streets south of the freeway. Sports is big here: AT&T Park is 1,400' away, while the Warriors Arena is almost a mile away, 4,500' to be exact.<br />
<br />
<b>Transfer Station: </b>It's unclear whether a BART line would pass here, but there's a decent chance it will. The best options for getting close are by passing along 3rd St, 4th St, or 5th St. A station along King St, or Bluxome might work too, although more tricky.<br />
<br />
The Muni Metro Lines, T-Third, and N-Judah, have stations along Fourth Street and King Street respectively.<br />
<br />
<b>Local bus: </b>Four regular Muni bus and 3 express buses stop here, taking folks to Downtown, Van Ness, Chinatown and the Marina. Unfortunately, no buses or transit take folks to the nearby Mission District.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHe0N5EqYnUMs-7EtQeeflaYNDwMHH8uj3sdJE5hyphenhyphenQJmGio19fE_mwjlnNVWlzaGVDO7Kc7z67S89ooQJudn9PLmDzRGdlCfkpjP72AYxW1y5c4xEUX6fdKNqoQVpERmsGTgyMLGsT5Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.10.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHe0N5EqYnUMs-7EtQeeflaYNDwMHH8uj3sdJE5hyphenhyphenQJmGio19fE_mwjlnNVWlzaGVDO7Kc7z67S89ooQJudn9PLmDzRGdlCfkpjP72AYxW1y5c4xEUX6fdKNqoQVpERmsGTgyMLGsT5Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.10.48+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Townsend Station between 5th and 4th Streets as currently planned. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds</span>. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange lines denote transit lines that serve the station and reach out to a 10 minute journey time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Note the walk shed is better at accessing points in Central SoMa and less so in Mission Bay south of Mission Creek.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYczN7A7PRouYMf9zBRJAQ_OwAPLzWIKCcOfZsqGA3-2402ol0_aKG4uIl3YA6Sen_hyphenhyphenBXAlOz4YDwheIjYocIjBOlinnHwnPXKQvudQp1R2v6T_mJyaQRb_BkdiWbafw5oQ_MdCloPSc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.10.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYczN7A7PRouYMf9zBRJAQ_OwAPLzWIKCcOfZsqGA3-2402ol0_aKG4uIl3YA6Sen_hyphenhyphenBXAlOz4YDwheIjYocIjBOlinnHwnPXKQvudQp1R2v6T_mJyaQRb_BkdiWbafw5oQ_MdCloPSc/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.10.26+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Townsend Station between 3rd and 4th Streets as I have proposed. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds</span>. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orange lines denote transit lines that serve the station and reach out to a 10 minute journey time. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Note the walk shed is better at accessing points in Mission Bay south of Mission Creek, and a potential 3rd Street BART station while still also access Central SoMa.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Solution: </b>The currently planned station will be underground and location under Townsend between 4th and 5th streets. Fourth Street has a bridge that crosses Mission Creek. <i>Fifth Street does not.</i> In addition, 5th Street doesn't currently offer any connection to King Street or Berry. From a station area access perspective, <b><i>the station would be better located one block east - between Third and Fourth streets</i></b>, both of which cross Mission Creek. In addition, BART may follow Third Street, and this block further east is higher ground, and less vulnerable to flooding from rising seas. (<i>and don't tell me to not worry, not EVERY sea level protection project will be built.)</i><br />
<br />
One downside of moving the station east one block would mean a slightly longer walk to the new Central SoMa development employment centers on 5th Street and 6th Street. The shorter distance to the Transbay Center (from 6,300 feet (1,900m) to 5,250 feet (1,600m)) may seem like a bad idea, but many examples in the world, including Chicago, London, Paris and Tokyo have regional trains with closer spaced stations in the city center.<br />
<br />
Bottom line: a Caltrain station on Townsend between Third and Fourth gets you:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Short transfer to T-Third</li>
<li>Short transfer to a new BART line on 3rd or 4th streets</li>
<li>A block long transfer to N-Judah</li>
<li>Higher ground station location</li>
<li>Easy pedestrian access to BOTH the bridges on 3rd Street and 4th Street</li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">22nd Street</span></b><br />
<b>Neighborhood: </b>Simply put, this station is in a rotten location. Hemmed against a hillside with little access, and in a low density neighborhood with industrial uses, the station isn't even near transit corridors. True, the Dogpatch is doubling or even tripling in population, but that's starting from a low number.<br />
<br />
<b>Solution: </b>Move the station, north, south or both to a transit corridor or place with higher density development and better transit access. Best bet is to 16th Street, but Cesar Chavez could work too if the Islais Creek area densifies with jobs and housing as the <a href="http://www.resilientbayarea.org/islais-creek/">Resilient by Design </a>project proposes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_DAvUqHFh8_-xSlTSCELpo4HSj1QP1irO9EUoGf1IR_WExyy2yUdtToRJQdVNbTzFlNhVQ3BHaQGB6zKwrwmjt-evv0vrYeWKv9MUfMQ2jsHew1w6FoyxwsgAEDtgVoTLwwsgfDhAJw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.59.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_DAvUqHFh8_-xSlTSCELpo4HSj1QP1irO9EUoGf1IR_WExyy2yUdtToRJQdVNbTzFlNhVQ3BHaQGB6zKwrwmjt-evv0vrYeWKv9MUfMQ2jsHew1w6FoyxwsgAEDtgVoTLwwsgfDhAJw/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-02+at+11.59.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22nd St Station under Pennsylvania Ave - Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds plus moderate frequent bus lines (orange) are shown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Cesar Chavez</b></span><br />
<b>Neighborhood: </b>Although no much in the way of dense jobs or dense housing exists along the Cesar Chavez or even the Evans corridor, a station here might make sense if densification is planned.<br />
<br />
<b>Local bus: </b>No busses currently serve the potential station location, Cesar Chavez at Pennsylvania Ave. However, if a station were placed here, replacing 22nd St, the 48-Quintara could be moved to stop at the station.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Solution: </b>Due to its proximity to the Oakdale station, locating a station here is less necessary, especially if a 16th Street station is created.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimteWqKs_4HQ45dx9-3_LBCjskPhXNvi_2cGJQdb0I8XDxK5O6jiVidttcMq5onpE0ENZl6LVZSOpjrC2f2W5L1Nej-83rcFy_lMA9mHN4pKXRl25wwLzPVP-vRLBbmsFuiCkgu_KuVNY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+12.20.52+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimteWqKs_4HQ45dx9-3_LBCjskPhXNvi_2cGJQdb0I8XDxK5O6jiVidttcMq5onpE0ENZl6LVZSOpjrC2f2W5L1Nej-83rcFy_lMA9mHN4pKXRl25wwLzPVP-vRLBbmsFuiCkgu_KuVNY/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+12.20.52+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cesar Chavez Station at Pennsylvania Ave - Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds plus moderate frequent bus lines (orange) are shown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">16th Street Mississippi</span></b><br />
If we open the question of where to place stations, might not we consider adding a station in San Francisco. We are a denser city, with much growth happening in the east side of the city. Might a new or relocated station at 16th St in Mission Bay bring more people closer to their homes and jobs than 22nd St?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Neighborhood: </b>With Mission Bay to the east, and an evolving and densifying Potrero Flats to the east, while having a <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/projects/16th-street-improvement-project">major transit corridor in the works</a> (22-Fillmore bus), this location would be ideal for a station. The stop would serve jobs and schools with UCSF Mission Bay and the Medical Center, as well as CCA, and the many health and biotech jobs in the area. A stop here would also serve the Chase Center (Warriors Arena). As station here would also serve many more people living and working nearby than at 22nd Street.<br />
<br />
The perceived down side with 16th Street is that its rather close to the 4th & Townsend station (about 3,300 feet). However, as mentioned before, many regional rail lines have closer spaced stations in and near the Downtown core. Some comparatively close station examples include:<br />
<br />
Paris: RER B, Chatelet to Sain Michel, 3,200 feet<br />
London: Waterloo East station to Charing Cross Road Station, 4,000 feet<br />
Chicago: Metra Electric, Millennium Station to Van Buren Station, 2,800 feet.<br />
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<b>Solution: </b>Close the 22nd Street station and relocate to 16th Street.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTEOtp0zoipptb2nAd0oVVEPgDlJ7IjiKaAEQWRlI59iJLpmRTlziLTTZeCLTPGs_LP2TgvJGD1loqcGWdn6wVDal9B4dbuKL_zT5edTyxw5ci1oM90xWl7R5zozcKVv8RdNYtyM2OSY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+8.41.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTEOtp0zoipptb2nAd0oVVEPgDlJ7IjiKaAEQWRlI59iJLpmRTlziLTTZeCLTPGs_LP2TgvJGD1loqcGWdn6wVDal9B4dbuKL_zT5edTyxw5ci1oM90xWl7R5zozcKVv8RdNYtyM2OSY/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+8.41.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16th St Mission Bay Station at Mississippi and 7th St - Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds plus moderate frequent bus lines (orange) are shown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C4BedsJjyYDdlP2vuuBIlzZICkji1ahBmEHkNEgQ5hjh1jp-yrKaYTwSiXX1YZCi5qMT_l-Mf0hhf0F5-nR03aGsFbJcmL4Uum5zKkBQn9aczB_9zOqWf0rznP5QqwEStF9TUu3DhtU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+8.45.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C4BedsJjyYDdlP2vuuBIlzZICkji1ahBmEHkNEgQ5hjh1jp-yrKaYTwSiXX1YZCi5qMT_l-Mf0hhf0F5-nR03aGsFbJcmL4Uum5zKkBQn9aczB_9zOqWf0rznP5QqwEStF9TUu3DhtU/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+8.45.18+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of both Mission Bay stations if both 16th St Mission Bay and Townsend Station between 4th and 3rd streets were built.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Oakdale</b><br />
<b>Neighborhood: </b>Residents of the Bayview and the growing Hunters Point neighborhood deserve and should have a regional rail station - especially considering the rail line already passes through the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<b>Solution: </b>Keep proposed Oakdale Station location between Oakdale and Quint Streets. Improve local transit feeding the station. More on this from the<a href="https://www.sfcta.org/transportation-planning-and-studies/current-research-and-other-projectsstudies/caltrain-oakdale-station-study"> SFCTA's study</a>. When this station does get planned, addressing gentrification, housing and displacement challenges must also be addressed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JB2LEOD8CehsLGMfjkNP9YwDiTacUIQZncdo7qYsqiEVIAxuH2rnKLYlT9xkZGB4f6jhskmCQbNNkbomu2Ho9SXq62iBxM0xYy4utc8MxKJXrKzNLCkD0Jc8v7BJgJwkdsza_YBEbKk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+12.30.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JB2LEOD8CehsLGMfjkNP9YwDiTacUIQZncdo7qYsqiEVIAxuH2rnKLYlT9xkZGB4f6jhskmCQbNNkbomu2Ho9SXq62iBxM0xYy4utc8MxKJXrKzNLCkD0Jc8v7BJgJwkdsza_YBEbKk/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-06-03+at+12.30.35+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oakdale Station at Quint - Quarter mile (dark blue) and third-mile (light blue) walk sheds plus moderate frequent bus lines (orange) are shown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In analysis and summary having the following stations is recommended:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Transbay Transit Center</li>
<li>16th St Mission Bay Mississippi</li>
<li>Oakdale</li>
<li>Bayshore</li>
</ol>
Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts comments or ideas.<br />
<br />
-Brian<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-14217761100236288222018-01-31T21:38:00.002-08:002018-02-09T22:40:13.378-08:00Oakland: Sometimes the most ambitious plan is the most practical - looking at 980 option<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I started this series of Downtown Oakland Rail scenarios for a very explicit reason. Find out if and how any other cocktail of rail alignments for a Second Transbay Crossing and HSR to and through Oakland might equal or show a strong alternative to <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/about/vision-2/">ConnectOAKLAND's plan</a> of running a new trainline down the I-980 corridor. After looking at alternatives for an <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2018/01/oakland-bart-east-west-cap-north-south.html">east-west BART</a> line down 14th St, and a <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/12/taking-subway-to-oaklands-kono-and-big.html">north-south line</a> on the Lake Merritt side of Broadway, we look at the east side of Downtown - the ConnectOAKLAND vision for BART <i>and </i>regional rail/HSR to run along the 980 corridor.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt3kmRmk99Wxw9j3cuFRwhFFO_bGGfTy5jXG7M-SkawHrNf3TtqI4f47uTnL-Ky_WDcfDlBKJMZ7qSvd4bW8RLIPyP0tqC9aQR2w8yvTMwLywcOGjgKknPesmxaQcZXAtfn7xUNTtsNM/s1600/980-MultiwayBlvd-Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt3kmRmk99Wxw9j3cuFRwhFFO_bGGfTy5jXG7M-SkawHrNf3TtqI4f47uTnL-Ky_WDcfDlBKJMZ7qSvd4bW8RLIPyP0tqC9aQR2w8yvTMwLywcOGjgKknPesmxaQcZXAtfn7xUNTtsNM/s640/980-MultiwayBlvd-Aerial.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: ConnectOAKLAND</td></tr>
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Full disclosure, I am a founding member of <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/">ConnectOAKLAND</a>. I am an advocate for the ConnectOAKLAND 980 alignment. However, I and the folks at ConnectOAKLAND believe that all alignments should be considered for their pros and cons (cost/benefit, people it serves, opportunities, future riders, construction costs and disruption, etc.). This series of posts is my way of looking at the many alternatives and a way to find out what could make the most practical and implementable rail system for Downtown Oakland, its surrounding neighborhoods while greatly benefiting the region.</div>
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Admittedly, you may have seen some of this alignment before if you're familiar with the ConnectOAKLAND vision. I have thrown in a few minor new items to make it interesting. I've called this option the Jefferson Square 980 option, as the park is one block away from 980 and would benefit from removal of the swooping overhead connector ramps.<br />
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If I haven't said it before, the primary reason to look at these alignments, whether in Oakland or San Francisco, is to address the <a href="http://www.spur.org/publications/white-paper/2016-02-10/designing-bay-areas-second-transbay-rail-crossing">need for a 2nd Transbay Rail Crossing </a>which would improve and make the Bay Area a better place for many reasons:</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Better connect Oakland and San Francisco and the other cities in the East Bay and West Bay. <b>With more options, you have more transit choices </b>and not get stuck in traffic or be part of the problem that is air pollution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><b>Reduce the overcrowding</b> of the Transbay Corridor (Bay Bridge AND Transbay Tube).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Create a redundant rail line so that:</span></li>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><b>Backup rail line:</b> In the event of mechanical issues or earthquake compromising a tunnel, we'd have another rail tunnel to move folks around.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Allow for <b>24-hour rail service across the bay.</b> One crossing could close for the evening and overnight for needed maintenance while the other provided vital access across the bay to our 24-hour employment world.</span></li>
</ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Create more opportunities on each side of the bay for transit rich employment and housing locations that allow folks to not depend on a car.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Strengthen the Bay Area's economy by both allowing more housing near more stations, and getting folks to jobs throughout the Bay Area without requiring them to endure 2-hour commutes.</span></li>
</ol>
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As mentioned before, I've only slightly reoriented the maps with Broadway pointing "north and south" rather than its actual northeast/southwest axis.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGwSU8afXhMhME1T5Pio2yPzfjtc_lbQ1g-Eojsg5ecXYuSSeoSf6XFnq3sE9oGrfz0W7-Ff3yA337jrdiLTuKHx4dTOI_yzwd88ijozzOXHNhJeXN00FWCAaBFEMl9wxMqhD29Ed-8I/s1600/Oakland+Lake+N-S_980JeffersonSqPk-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="1600" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGwSU8afXhMhME1T5Pio2yPzfjtc_lbQ1g-Eojsg5ecXYuSSeoSf6XFnq3sE9oGrfz0W7-Ff3yA337jrdiLTuKHx4dTOI_yzwd88ijozzOXHNhJeXN00FWCAaBFEMl9wxMqhD29Ed-8I/s640/Oakland+Lake+N-S_980JeffersonSqPk-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The hallmark of this alignment is that it brings <i>both BART and Regional Rail </i>into the same station - the 14th Street Central Station. With trains from different services side-by-side to allow easy transfers, it will become a great hub that can allow these cross-platform transfers between BART and Caltrain or Capitol Corridor, just like BART trains due today at MacArthur and 19th St stations. In addition, the alignment, within walking distance of the current Broadway corridor, can stitch West Oakland and Downtown Oakland together by removing the existing 500+ foot wide freeway, replacing it with a transit tunnel that carries more people than the freeway ever will, and still provides a roadway link between Highway 24 to I-880 via a new boulevard.<br />
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Simultaneously, any new development here beyond the rail elements would allow for much housing, services, institutional and employment centers on state or city owned land - meaning the city could decide whether it's all housing and at what price points, or a mix of low, medium and market rate housing plus some educational institutions or something else. In addition, any great change needs to take into consideration how the nearby neighborhoods, here West Oakland and Jack London, might be negatively affected by this project. Any plan should include ways of preventing displacement of existing residents and homeowners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO9QNmmGIxer_uwl8pxVDFaVQya_btSD8CR7O1K2ozLG6glKTqkSs9vKhBwtU-TrjLop0yC_I2BQtTZfilevOoCCeJQeyZaLMsVyFtMS1xB8KZSlRbhu58DGkG3S9qCJLhywIeCeUVIk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-31+at+9.22.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1192" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO9QNmmGIxer_uwl8pxVDFaVQya_btSD8CR7O1K2ozLG6glKTqkSs9vKhBwtU-TrjLop0yC_I2BQtTZfilevOoCCeJQeyZaLMsVyFtMS1xB8KZSlRbhu58DGkG3S9qCJLhywIeCeUVIk/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-01-31+at+9.22.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
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The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b><br />
(see map above)</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART and Regional Rail/HSR- <b>the 980 Transit Tunnel</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Coming from the north, from the MacArthur Station lines* the new line would split away from the existing line above ground while in the center of I-980, in the vicinity of 27th St and Grand Avenue.</li>
<li>Transition to a tunnel to run under Brush Street (or Castro) as a transit tunnel as part of the closure of the trenched portion of I-980 between Grand Ave and I-880. (<i>I-980 freeway would remain between I-580 and Grand Avenue)</i></li>
<li>Continue south as a tunnel under Brush past Jack London Square and under Howard Terminal and the Oakland Estuary to Alameda Island. </li>
<li>In Alameda the line would follow under Main Street, between the former Naval Air Station and the residential neighborhoods of Alameda, turning west towards San Francisco at some point, possibly at Tower Ave, Atlantic, or further south.</li>
<li>Regional Rail and BART would both use this tunnel that could be 4 tracks at minimum but potentially built up to 8 tracks split between two levels.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: lora, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* The rail tracks through Downtown Oakland from MacArthur Station to West Oakland and to Lake Merritt Station are known as the K-Line. North to </span></i></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
</ul>
<li>BART - <b>21st Street Tunnel Connector</b></li>
<ul>
<li>For BART's lines to the South Bay and the Tri-Valley, a connecting tunnel would branch off the 980 tunnel to connect to the current 19th Street BART station, thereby allowing them to transfer to the new transbay service via the Orange line in the interim. </li>
<li>Trains would be stored along the underground tunnel that continues east under 21st St and Lake Merritt for about 1,600 feet.</li>
<li>The station allows Orange line trains to transfer to the new 2nd Transbay Crossing.</li>
<li>In the long run, this tunnel could transition into two possible rail lines - the Eastlake Connector and/or the MacArthur Eastmont Line</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Capital Corridor/HSR - <b>the San Pablo Trotting Tunnel</b></span></li>
<ul>
<li>Regional, intercity, HSR and any other electric rail service from north of Oakland would dive into a new tunnel that passes under Emeryville's East Bay Bridge Shopping Center near 40th St where the current Toys R' Us and Home Depot</li>
<li>Shifts south to pass under San Pablo Avenue going south into Oakland</li>
<li>Turns south at Brush Street to run parallel to I-980 and follow the 980 Transit Tunnel and along the same alignment as BART to Alameda.</li>
<li>After passing under Howard Terminal and the Oakland Estuary the tunnel would pass under Alameda, eventually turning west to San Francisco, most likely as a separate tunnel under the bay than the new 2nd BART Transbay crossing.</li>
<li>Unlike other options without this tunnel, this line gets regional and intercity rail:</li>
<ul>
<li>closes to Downtown Oakland</li>
<li>has no need to cross a freeway to get to Downtown Oakland</li>
<li>cross platform transfers allow quicker, easier transfers than a station that has tracks crossing perpendicular</li>
<li>An intercity station here, in lieu of a freeway, disrupts the neighborhood <i>much less </i>than building one underground under an active city street.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Capital Corridor - <b>the 2nd Street Passenger Tunnel</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Any non-electric passenger rail service would follow the current Union Pacific railway tracks between the Port of Oakland and West Oakland.</li>
<li>All passenger rail service is currently diesel. However, if the Capital Corridor and San Joaquin were converted to electric, then only the interstate Amtrak lines (Pacific Starlight and California Zephyr) would use this alignment. </li>
<li>To reduce conflict between trains and cars/buses/bikes/pedestrians a 2nd Street Tunnel would carry passenger only trains roughly between the Port of Oakland and Brooklyn Basin.</li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.capitolcorridor.org/vision-plan/">Capitol Corridor Vision Plan</a> calls for such a tunnel as an alternative to address safety and capacity through the corridor. </li>
</ul>
<li>A connector tunnel between the 980 tunnel could be added to link service from Berkeley and Sacramento south to San Jose. Such a tunnel would mean all regional and intercity rail (but not diesel transcontinental service) would pass through the 980 tunnel.</li>
<li>Likewise, a connector from the regional rail transbay tunnel could connect to points south with a connector from Alameda to Jack London and points south.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART - <b>Eastlake Connector Rail</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Separating some service from the current A-Line's Green or Blue line would allow trains to pass through one of Oakland's densest neighborhoods, Eastlake.</li>
<li>Trains running north could split off somewhere between Fruitvale and Lake Merritt, passing east west through the neighborhood.</li>
<li>Trains would connect to the 21st Street Tunnel to pass under 19th St Station and on to the 2nd Tube via the 980 Corridor.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART - <b>MacArthur Eastmont Line</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Utilizing the 21st Street Tunnel, the line would split off to follow Grand then on along the MacArthur Boulevard and Freeway corridor.</li>
<li>The line would pass along MacArthur all the way through the Dimond District, Laurel, Mills College and end at Eastmont at 73rd Avenue</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Union Pacific Freight Railway - <b>Embarcadero Freight Tunnel</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Freight rail service would either:</li>
<ul>
<li>Continue to run on the surface along Embarcadero West through Jack London.</li>
<li>Follow through a tunnel or trench under Embarcadero West through Jack London. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART - Transbay service from Oakland to San Francisco</b></li>
<ul>
<li>14th Street Central Station</li>
<ul>
<li>At 1/3 a mile from Broadway, and much less to other Oakland employment centers such as the Ask.com building and the Federal Building, a station here would both access existing employment sites and promote new sites between Broadway and Castro.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li>Brush London Intermodal Station</li>
<ul>
<li>By placing a station here, passengers using the new tube could transfer to the original BART system to reach points south. </li>
<li>As pointed out in the Jack London BART study, it would provide the closest station to the Jack London neighborhood, especially if Howard Terminal is developed.</li>
</ul>
<li>20th Street Broadway Station </li>
<ul>
<li>This station could be located under 20th or 21st streets just east of Broadway depending on where the tunnel is located.</li>
<li>The 19th Street Oakland station would be renamed to the 20th Street Broadway Station as this is closer to the center point between the existing station (btwn 17th & 20th streets), and the new station that would be between Franklin and Harrison.</li>
<li>Such a station would create a station closer to the Lakeside high rise area where the Kaiser Building, Ordway Building, and Oakland Cathedral are located.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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21st Street</div>
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<br />
20th Street<br />
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: lora, serif;">
<li><b>Capitol Corridor</b></li>
<ul>
<li>40th Street / East Bay Bridge</li>
<li>14th Street Central Station (only HSR station)</li>
<li>Brush London Intermodal at Brush Street & 2nd St</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b style="background-color: white;">The Cons</b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Primarily offers capacity relief to the yellow and/or red lines.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Requires a reconfiguring or decommissioning of part of the I-980 freeway. Although a lightly trafficed freeway, bringing the 75,000 daily cars to the street level could be disruptive.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">A stub rail line, although good for storing trains may be problematic.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">The BART lines could be considered to be reverse splitting (having the Red line removed from the Broadway segment might reduce service to Broadway, but it might not.)</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b style="background-color: white;">The Pros</b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Relieves congestion of the current Transbay Tube on BART's Yellow and/or Red lines and possibly the Green and Orange line. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Creates a fantastic transfer center at 14th Street Central Station (or 14th Street TransContinental Station). This would provide direct transfers between BART, regional and intercity train lines. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Brings rail access to Jack London neighborhood and the northeast side of West Oakland. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Intermodal train station in Jack London could be a interim transfer station before the San Pablo Ave Tunnel is built, offering transfers between Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin lines, along with potential HSR and Caltrain lines, to the BART system.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b style="background-color: white;">Phasing</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Phasing of this grand plan of BART and regional rail service means that certain parts could be built sooner than others while still be functional, and not needing to find so much funding all at once to build.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
If only the regional rail segments were built, including a 2nd Transbay Crossing, the extra BART line may not be necessary or need to follow the same alignment. In contrast, if only the BART segments were built, but the San Pablo/Brush tunnel for HSR/Cap Corridor were not built - that would be ok.</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<b>Current Rail Arrangement</b></div>
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<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
The option could be phased in a number of ways:</div>
</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">
<li>As one complete line</li>
<li>In multiple phases with the first phase having the San Francisco line only connect to the MacArthur Station. The second and third phase would add Transbay Caltrain service to the East Bay, first to only 14th St Central Station, then on to Emeryville via the San Pablo Tunnel.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
First Phase A<br />
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<br />
Phase A2<br />
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Second Phase B<br />
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<br /></div>
Third Phase C<br />
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<br />
<br />
Fourth Phase D<br />
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Phase E<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b>In summary</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
Great plan with many phasable options especially for BART lines. The intermodal station at 14th St Central Station would become a very important hub in the regions rail network allowing folks from Sacramento to make a quick and east transfer to get to San Francisco. Likewise, having regional rail (Caltrain, Capital Corridor, etc.) stop in Downtown Oakland with great transfers to San Francisco would seem to be a great benefit to Oakland residents, employees, and the community at large.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-69399700859947828072018-01-05T18:09:00.001-08:002018-01-05T23:34:46.087-08:00Oakland: BART east & west - Cap north & south<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In America's streetgrid pattern of cities, our subway and metro systems tend follow the streets, whether under, over or sometimes in the streets. Last time we looked at future rail in Oakland, including a second transbay crossing, with a north-south alignment through downtown along Jackson Street. This time we turn the compass east-west. Will the alignment prove more fortuitous, of equal measure or weaker than the north-south.... nobody knows.<br />
<br />
Let's find out. First, an announcement from honesty and full disclosure.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
Full disclosure, I am a founding member of <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/">ConnectOAKLAND</a>. The group advocates for a <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/2017/02/06/bringing-region-california-together/">particular alignment</a> for future rail in Oakland. I am an advocate for the ConnectOAKLAND 980 alignment. However, I believe that all alignments should be considered for their pros and cons (cost/benefit, people it serves, future riders, construction costs and disruption, etc.). This series of posts is my way of looking at the many alternatives and a way to find out what could make the most practical and implementable rail system for Downtown Oakland and the region.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
As mentioned before, I've only slightly reoriented the maps with Broadway pointing "north and south" rather than its actual northeast/southwest axis.</div>
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<br />
<div>
The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b><br />
(see map at beginning of post)</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART - <b>the Eastlake 14th St Tunnel</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Coming from the south and the east, a new BART line splits off near 14th Ave from the current A-line which the Green, Blue and Orange lines currently run on. </li>
<li>The tunnel would go under International Boulevard, but could also go under 12th St or 15th St if deemed a better fit. </li>
<li>After briefly passing under Lake Merritt, the tunnel follows its primary 14th St path </li>
<li>The tunnel would pass 4 levels deep under BART's Broadway tunnel and the 12th St station, as well as under the current I-980, whether or not it became transformed into its own transit tunnel and boulevard. </li>
<li>After a few bends in West Oakland, still under 14th St, the alignment would leave Oakland under the Port of Oakland with the option to pass to the north or south of the Bay Bridge</li>
<li>The tunnel would pass under the first Transbay Tube at some point between Oakland and the west span of the Bay Bridge</li>
</ul>
<li>BART - <b>MacArthur - 14th St link (optional; not shown above - see below)</b></li>
<ul>
<li>For BART's lines to Berkeley and Contra Costa County a connecting tunnel could link to the 14th Street Tunnel by splitting off near Grand Ave just before the current tracks enter the Broadway Tunnel.</li>
<li>The tunnel would follow Castro or Martin Luther King Jr. Way then turn west to join the 14th Street Tunnel. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Capital Corridor/HSR - <b>the San Pablo Trotting Tunnel</b></span></li>
<ul>
<li>Regional, intercity, HSR and any other electric rail service from north of Oakland would transfer into a new tunnel that passes under the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center near 40th St where the current Toys R' Us and Home Depot</li>
<li>Shifts to pass under San Pablo Avenue going south into Oakland</li>
<li>Turns south at Brush Street to run parallel to I-980</li>
<li>After passing under Howard Terminal and the Oakland Estuary the tunnel would pass under Alameda, eventually turning west to San Francisco</li>
</ul>
<li>Capital Corridor - <b>the 2nd Street Passenger Tunnel</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Any non-electric passenger rail service would follow the current Union Pacific railway tracks between the Port of Oakland and West Oakland.</li>
<li>All passenger rail service is currently diesel. However, if the Capital Corridor and San Joaquin were converted to electric, then only the interstate Amtrak lines (Pacific Starlight and California Zephyr) would use this alignment. </li>
<li>To reduce conflict between trains and cars/buses/bikes/pedestrians a 2nd Street Tunnel would carry passenger only trains roughly between the Port of Oakland and Brooklyn Basin.</li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.capitolcorridor.org/vision-plan/">Capitol Corridor Vision Plan</a> calls for such a tunnel as an alternative to address safety and capacity through the corridor. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Union Pacific Freight Railway</li>
<ul>
<li>Freight rail service would either:</li>
<ul>
<li>Continue to run on the surface along Embarcadero West through Jack London.</li>
<li>Follow through a tunnel or trench under Embarcadero West through Jack London. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART - Transbay service from Oakland to San Francisco</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Eastlake Franklin Station</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li>Library Station on 14th Street in front of Oakland Public Library</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li>12th Street/Oakland - renamed 14th Street Metro Center Station at City Hall</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA0ZsNjCD7j0n3WpylEPJuntbKNk1l-RFSv0dMJPm9Rkeb0idr-sygn1aIdNQkUqtpvUB-d06ZryC9lylTHid08CR88N4u2xh8fFGCh4z6IwcXzhq-gr3s-oadUemxVeXM7FUJ4mE9v4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.53.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA0ZsNjCD7j0n3WpylEPJuntbKNk1l-RFSv0dMJPm9Rkeb0idr-sygn1aIdNQkUqtpvUB-d06ZryC9lylTHid08CR88N4u2xh8fFGCh4z6IwcXzhq-gr3s-oadUemxVeXM7FUJ4mE9v4/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.53.39+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li>14th Street Central Station (aka Transcontinental Station)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<ul style="font-family: lora, serif; text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART - infill station(s)</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Brush London Intermodal at 5th St & Brush St</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgCODLWaq00p11zzDBev2aMMyD2whruTINj8n5bx9t3fAVIdY5acJpjD12VO8HIlLzdQ3vUv6BBBHenwPZ3jmQgwLYVS_DBiDvy1lxyveTCE-l5HUmzvtphj_PtdNChOit5EEdrPUT9o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.57.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgCODLWaq00p11zzDBev2aMMyD2whruTINj8n5bx9t3fAVIdY5acJpjD12VO8HIlLzdQ3vUv6BBBHenwPZ3jmQgwLYVS_DBiDvy1lxyveTCE-l5HUmzvtphj_PtdNChOit5EEdrPUT9o/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.57.31+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul style="font-family: lora, serif;">
<li><b>Capitol Corridor</b></li>
<ul>
<li>40th Street / East Bay Bridge</li>
<li>14th Street Central Station</li>
<li>Brush London Intermodal at Brush Street & 2nd St</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeGO-EFNo3yr56RBB2XOjNZa80Z2oUP5lSKexm0tqaK4Re2TAEBKviniukhKcHSgv3MJZBQHeXxF1F3QSZzB1dC2rgd2deJbc7Wcv3-tMzNwWVDMBBpzI6YCAzCzKSYa-pX5lacNt3RU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.55.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeGO-EFNo3yr56RBB2XOjNZa80Z2oUP5lSKexm0tqaK4Re2TAEBKviniukhKcHSgv3MJZBQHeXxF1F3QSZzB1dC2rgd2deJbc7Wcv3-tMzNwWVDMBBpzI6YCAzCzKSYa-pX5lacNt3RU/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-01-03+at+9.55.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b>The Cons</b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times;">
<li>Primarily offers capacity relief to the green and/or blue lines.</li>
<li>Requires a reconfiguring or decommissioning of part of the I-980 freeway.</li>
<li>The Eastlake Franklin station could be better placed, rather to a Eastlake Clinton Station closer to the shopping district, likely near 5th Avenue instead of 10th Ave. In this case, the station name could be made the Eastlake Clinton Station.</li>
<li>Building a new station in the center of Downtown Oakland beside Oakland City Hall may prove challenging and disruption at depths of up to 100' deep.</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b>The Pros</b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times;">
<li>Relieves congestion of the current Transbay Tube on BART's Blue and/or Green lines and possibly the Red or Yellow line. </li>
<li>Creates a fantastic transfer center in 14th Street and Broadway. This "Metro Center" style station would provide direct transfers between most of BART's lines.</li>
<li>Brings rail access to the Eastlake neighborhood, the most dense neighborhood without a BART station in the East Bay.</li>
<li>Intermodal train station offering transfers between Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin lines, along with potential HSR and Caltrain lines, to the BART system.</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b>Phasing</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
Phasing of this grand plan of BART and regional rail service means that certain parts could be built sooner than others while still be functional, and not needing to find so much funding all at once to build.<br />
<br />
Likewise, if only the BART segments were built, but the San Pablo/Brush tunnel for HSR/Cap Corridor were not built - that would be ok.<br />
<br />
The BART line could be phased in a number of ways:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>As one complete line</li>
<li>In 2-3 phases with the first phase having the San Francisco line end at 14th St. The second and third phase would connect the line to Eastlake and the A-Line.</li>
<li>A separate alternative would have the 14th St tunnel operate <i>standard gauge </i>rail cars rather than BART gauge rail cars. </li>
<ul>
<li>A new line could continue east under Lake Merritt and on to the MacArthur Blvd corridor. </li>
<li>The C-line up to Berkeley, El Cerrito and Richmond could be converted to standard gauge. It's the shortest line and would allow....</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
First Phase A<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRQJupMcd9e7K1AK4Sxho5u7rCfsxNcAlzHOooVRcr69MLq52h2h5AKjqkbj4Fw56uIWeA57bNPaIKpRPFfN0JGsXDKdvA7UNEEWhsypNV1rLXNNfiGoRrTu0GPdF7QdOyTZ7yXYg5SY/s1600/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseA-02-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRQJupMcd9e7K1AK4Sxho5u7rCfsxNcAlzHOooVRcr69MLq52h2h5AKjqkbj4Fw56uIWeA57bNPaIKpRPFfN0JGsXDKdvA7UNEEWhsypNV1rLXNNfiGoRrTu0GPdF7QdOyTZ7yXYg5SY/s640/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseA-02-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Second Phase B<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbSp7G-ifJ6zymi3Xmt4O7zjmPbEJcrXrq6UoA8ZlhlHqUY_XA-pGKfc1VEDDbny9KHO2EYkKHQOiEUn3YTUuYfnMp1xQI9srEvWW1M0sX-ok1fbittcWdRg7zh4mvX1_REZEhc9Nsek/s1600/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseB-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbSp7G-ifJ6zymi3Xmt4O7zjmPbEJcrXrq6UoA8ZlhlHqUY_XA-pGKfc1VEDDbny9KHO2EYkKHQOiEUn3YTUuYfnMp1xQI9srEvWW1M0sX-ok1fbittcWdRg7zh4mvX1_REZEhc9Nsek/s640/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseB-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Third Phase C<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkwXeOig4wNLgrlm953oyMdFqQPhiSkDhr0hPTqPEDg6tdSwaTk6Ta55jkXA31lOLszSqhJlO8r1R3OvRf657WQE0Q6kGGiOBaajzdUCyCVxHNTdyFn7KrWt60Q9MPp_y6ouV8VpWMzU/s1600/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseC-01-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkwXeOig4wNLgrlm953oyMdFqQPhiSkDhr0hPTqPEDg6tdSwaTk6Ta55jkXA31lOLszSqhJlO8r1R3OvRf657WQE0Q6kGGiOBaajzdUCyCVxHNTdyFn7KrWt60Q9MPp_y6ouV8VpWMzU/s640/Oakland+Ogawa_PhaseC-01-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<div style="font-family: Times;">
<b>In summary</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
Good plan with many phasable options especially for BART lines. The intermodal station at 14th St Central Station would become a very important hub in the regions rail network allowing folks from Sacramento to make a quick and east transfer to get to San Francisco. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-41664903790433763092017-12-28T00:18:00.001-08:002017-12-28T12:08:32.323-08:00Taking the subway to Oakland's KONO and a big hub in Jack London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
Urban Life Signs returns to Transbay Crossing alignment and station analysis. For the first time in a long time, we look at Oakland.<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b> (</b>The last time we looked at alignments was back in mid <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/06/expanding-our-rail-network-while-saving.html">2016</a> and <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-2035-rail-plan-for-oakland.html">2015</a>)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif;">Talk of a 2nd Transbay Rail Crossing has continued to be part of the transportation conversation for over a year:</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<li><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/13/proposed-3-bridge-toll-hike-clears-major-hurdle-moves-closer-to-ballot-box/">SB 595</a>, created by the MTC calls for an election to raise bridge tolls to fund multiple transportation projects was signed into law by the governor in October 2017. The bill and future ballot measure includes funding for a new second Transbay rail crossing.</li>
<li>The MTC <a href="https://mtc.ca.gov/our-work/plans-projects/other-plans/core-capacity-transit-study">Core Capacity Transit Study</a> wrapped up in September 2017, with a considerable portion focused on a 2nd Transbay crossing.</li>
<li>The draft <a href="https://patch.com/california/banning-beaumont/caltrans-releases-vision-california-s-rail-plan-7-public-workshops">State Rail Plan</a> was release a few months ago with comments closing yesterday, December 11, 2017.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=BDA14490-FB58-45D6-95FC-4F90A9453A82">Dianne Feinstein</a> renewed her calls for a <a href="https://sf.curbed.com/2017/12/8/16751814/feinstein-san-francisco-transportation-second-bay-bridge">Southern Crossing</a>, which she called to have both BART and vehicular traffic. (December 6, 2017)</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
This time around I'll be looking at where they trains could go, the tradeoffs, the opportunities, the challenges, and the timing for <i>Oakland–</i> not my usual San Francisco analysis (<a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/analyzing-transbay-alignments-part-i.html">1</a>, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/keep-it-simple-with-midges-delight-part.html">2</a>, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-woman-is-on-her-way-to-work.html">3</a>). Just like earlier this year, I'll be looking at different options independently. For Oakland, I'll be calling the alignments by park or open-space names. Because I'll be showing both BART and Capitol Corridor/ Amtrak/ Caltrain/HSR, creating names by major streets would get really long and confusing.<br />
<br />
Full disclosure, I am a founding member of <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/">ConnectOAKLAND</a>. The group advocates for a <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/2017/02/06/bringing-region-california-together/">particular alignment</a> for future rail in Oakland. I am an advocate for the ConnectOAKLAND 980 alignment. However, I believe that all alignments should be considered for their pros and cons (cost/benefit, people it serves, future riders, construction costs and disruption, etc.). This series of posts is my way of looking at the many alternatives.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
I've only slightly reoriented the maps with Broadway pointing "north and south" rather than its actual northeast/southwest axis.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl7R9PqWuKt5Fp1fYOfCg-qOVq-NiDG7GuBPU5WfRHKzkLbLoo__ujYZTvZrFz5sykE-pADeOhe5EXaC_AGZYO7CbhhjgWTGX9kI1nWc8woWHktvjc3Sa0g55A6P2bzCqAizrxsuyAak/s1600/BART_TB2_OaklandDowntown2017_SnowPark-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl7R9PqWuKt5Fp1fYOfCg-qOVq-NiDG7GuBPU5WfRHKzkLbLoo__ujYZTvZrFz5sykE-pADeOhe5EXaC_AGZYO7CbhhjgWTGX9kI1nWc8woWHktvjc3Sa0g55A6P2bzCqAizrxsuyAak/s640/BART_TB2_OaklandDowntown2017_SnowPark-01.png" width="459" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Park Alignment: BART along Jackson St and 27th St; Capitol Corridor along 2nd St. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today we're looking at what a Jackson Street alignment through Lake Merritt Station might look like. We're calling this the Snow Park alignment seeing that it goes under Snow Park near the shores of Lake Merritt. I chose this alignment, the BART alignment, in part, to show where <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/parallel-subway-lines-how-far-would.html">a line parallel to BART's Broadway line</a> might go that is in the "Goldilocks" distance from another line, which is 0.3 to 0.5 miles away. Jackson Street is in the middle of this zone being 0.36 miles away from the 12th St/Oakland City Center Station.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfu-YIfQrDj80-Kh7IAq6iQTrNv0ljWDP9MdBnOFhAE4U-dLxZSEr2D6UUQfpaFaHflT7DI-9UkHFrfg_TxYgbKQkHJZoOPcKW0tmmnIxsmD62rkkKPGOzx0QZPd6hdc6HwmvUSCm_9s/s1600/Oakland+Parallel+Lines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1376" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfu-YIfQrDj80-Kh7IAq6iQTrNv0ljWDP9MdBnOFhAE4U-dLxZSEr2D6UUQfpaFaHflT7DI-9UkHFrfg_TxYgbKQkHJZoOPcKW0tmmnIxsmD62rkkKPGOzx0QZPd6hdc6HwmvUSCm_9s/s640/Oakland+Parallel+Lines.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map showing where optimum locations of a metro line and stations should go in Downtown Oakland. A distance of 0.3 to 0.5 miles is optimum in a downtown (CBD) area. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b><br />
(see map at beginning of post)</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART</li>
<ul>
<li>Arrives in the East Bay in Alameda from the south. Station located along Webster St. </li>
<li>Pass under Oakland Estuary between Alameda and Oakland.</li>
<li>Runs under Jackson St between Oakland Estuary to Grand Ave</li>
<li>Turns northwest up Harrison and 27th St to reach 26th Street</li>
<li>Shortly run west under 26th St to reach I-980.</li>
<li>Finally turns north onto existing BART line between MacArthur and 19th St Oakland. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Capital Corridor/HSR </span></li>
<ul>
<li>The majority of the passenger rail alignment follows its exisiting path along Union Pacific tracks.</li>
<li>To reduce conflict between trains and cars/buses/bikes/pedestrians a 2nd Street Tunnel would carry passenger only trains roughly between the Port of Oakland and Brooklyn Basin.</li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.capitolcorridor.org/vision-plan/">Capitol Corridor Vision Plan</a> calls for such a tunnel as an alternative to address safety and capacity through the corridor. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Union Pacific Freight Railway</li>
<ul>
<li>Freight rail service would either:</li>
<ul>
<li>Continue to run on the surface along Embarcadero West through Jack London.</li>
<li>Follow through a tunnel or trench under Embarcadero West through Jack London. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCWclRN6Uz4QrkaWWsggQj9tACly__0QPNb9KQjZCWce3YcNxGYCI_WN48hQTT5eBLlinUeYMAVLsJs_aghQp4mCVw09-T4MbWzsoDouwIhyL4v5D4Wf15k9Co17ZXx1l-eKwI8vAX0w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-28+at+11.56.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1324" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCWclRN6Uz4QrkaWWsggQj9tACly__0QPNb9KQjZCWce3YcNxGYCI_WN48hQTT5eBLlinUeYMAVLsJs_aghQp4mCVw09-T4MbWzsoDouwIhyL4v5D4Wf15k9Co17ZXx1l-eKwI8vAX0w/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-12-28+at+11.56.57+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capital Corridor Vision Plan recommended alternative for addressing capacity and safety in this dense built up corridor with significant rail traffic. Image: <a href="https://www.capitolcorridor.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CCVIP-Final-Report-Appendices-v2.pdf">Capitol Corridor Vision Plan Appendices</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;">
<ul>
<li><b>BART - Transbay service from San Francisco to Alameda then Oakland</b></li>
<ul>
<li>The Webster Alameda Station offers Alameda its first BART station and a much needed option for accessing the western half of Alameda without going through the congested Webster and Posey Tubes.</li>
<li>Jack London Square Intermodal Station is a grand junction where BART, Capitol Corridor and Amtrak train service meet for making transfers and for dramatically improving access to the Jack London and Warehouse District areas. The transfers will allow someone taking the Capitol Corridor from Fairfield to transfer here to jump on a BART train to get to San Francisco or even SFO. Other regional rail could come here such as ACE from Livermore and Tracy.<a name='more'></a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu9RqnVR1BxnE4_6WQQcWr5ctuIrhVetQXlDpB04xvTyrBrKJ4f_N8TY_SZQj1b7tjDn6f_EihDoKzWus9RIDvRIbGPWhv5jUNjYXFWpE_6-nQPMuChH-sYP4kDbRkYgN4mygDLyd3XY/s1600/2ndTransbay_Oak_birdsey_JLS_Jackson-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu9RqnVR1BxnE4_6WQQcWr5ctuIrhVetQXlDpB04xvTyrBrKJ4f_N8TY_SZQj1b7tjDn6f_EihDoKzWus9RIDvRIbGPWhv5jUNjYXFWpE_6-nQPMuChH-sYP4kDbRkYgN4mygDLyd3XY/s640/2ndTransbay_Oak_birdsey_JLS_Jackson-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul><ul>
<li>Lake Merritt/9th St Station would be located under Jackson St, just north of the current Lake Merritt Station between Jackson and Fallon streets. A pedestrian tunnel would connect it to the existing Lake Merritt Station to allow transfers from the Blue and Green lines to the new BART line.</li>
<li>The KONO Adams Point Station would lie under 27th St with Adams Point to the east and KONO to the west, and Oakland's northern downtown district (Kaiser Building, Pandora, etc.) within walking distance. This station, more than any of the other two would bring rail access within walking distance to many new residents and employers.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Capitol Corridor</b></li>
<ul>
<li>The alignment of the Capitol Corridor service wouldn't change much apart from one critical piece: Undergrounding the service in Jack London Square following under 2nd Street. By putting passenger rail service underground, capacity for passenger service through this corridor would expand, and reduce conflicts and safety issues between trains, cars, bikes and pedestrians that the current tracks on Embarcadero West exacerbate.</li>
<li>The freight service could remain on Embarcadero West at street level as it does today, or an underground tunnel could go under Embarcadero West to remove all surface rail and its challenges from the Jack London Square area.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSoqOAM8vTZMtJ9ggQnTATFpMWVwLO-ROpTgD9JZKmn8Q82zCCwVTdhfyhWev7uIMQ-hR1E4VQGUiNxWkNiYjDYWh0vaQzPQILfkRdQul0qMrPwIG1OZorNA33O8037StyvNvBH1mQRs/s1600/2ndTransbay_Oak_birdsey_LMJackson9th-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSoqOAM8vTZMtJ9ggQnTATFpMWVwLO-ROpTgD9JZKmn8Q82zCCwVTdhfyhWev7uIMQ-hR1E4VQGUiNxWkNiYjDYWh0vaQzPQILfkRdQul0qMrPwIG1OZorNA33O8037StyvNvBH1mQRs/s640/2ndTransbay_Oak_birdsey_LMJackson9th-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Cons</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Only offers capacity relief to the red and yellow lines.</li>
<li>Does not offer a way for standard gauge rail to cross the bay. Thus no downtown Oakland Amtrak or HSR station is offered in this option.</li>
<li>Jackson St is not a commercial or office corridor in spite of its proximity to downtown. However this could change over time.</li>
<li>Connecting to the BART line between MacArthur and KONO/Adams Point could be challenging due to the rail being hemmed in by the freeway, and the buildings located on the turn near 27th St.</li>
</ul>
<b>The Pros</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Relieves congestion of the current Transbay Tube on BART's Yellow and Red line. </li>
<li>Creates a fantastic transfer center in Jack London Square at the existing Amtrak station.</li>
<li>Brings rail access to Adams Point and KONO, as well as the North Lake Downtown area.</li>
<li>Alameda gets regional rail access, reducing roadway congestion.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Phasing</b><br />
The two main alignments could be built at separate times (First BART, second Amtrak or visa versa). Possible phasing could also have the Oakland and Alameda tunnels built before the 2nd Transbay Crossing is built. However, this would create a stub line until the transbay service began.<br />
<br />
<b>In summary</b><br />
Good plan but with limited success, especially for standard gauge services like Capital Corridor, Caltrain and HSR. However, the intermodal station at Jack London would become a very important hub in the regions rail network allowing folks from Sacramento to make a quick and east transfer to get to San Francisco. </div>
</div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-24944120418052256482017-10-30T23:55:00.001-07:002017-10-31T12:00:04.200-07:00Chronicle of a flag design<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm like a lot of folks. I heard <a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/article/vexillology-revisited-fixing-worst-civic-flag-designs-america/">Roman Mars' TED Talk</a> on flag design. It so happens that the flag he focussed his criticism on, San Francisco, is the city I live in and call home. Little did I know back then in 2015, that I would become passionate and at times obsessive in my quest to design a new flag for San Francisco.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to make a flag that looked cool - it had to be a truly great flag that really showed the uniqueness and energy of San Francisco mixed in with a bit of history if possible. As you'll see in the designs below, I have focussed on two to three main themes with a huge number of weak to mediocre designs and hopefully one or two that are worthy to fly on a flagpole atop San Francisco City Hall along with the California and American flags.<br />
<br />
Per the guidelines of the flag design:<br />
<ol style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #231f20; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.85; margin: 2em 0px 2em 128px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Keep It Simple</span> <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">(The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory)</em></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Use Meaningful Symbolism</span> <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">(The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes)</em></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Use 2 to 3 Basic Colors</span> <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">(Limit the number of colors on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard color set)</em></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">No Lettering or Seals</span> <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">(Never use writing of any kind or an organization’s seal)</em></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Be Distinctive or Be Related</span> <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">(Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections)</em></li>
</ol>
I came to a few meaningful symbols and possible distinctive features that represent San Francisco:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Physicality of the city</li>
<ul>
<li>fog</li>
<li>bridges</li>
<li>hills</li>
<li>Surrounded by water</li>
</ul>
</ol>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>History</li>
<ul>
<li>Gold rush beginnings</li>
<li>Fire and earthquake disasters</li>
</ul>
</ol>
<div>
The physicality mostly drives the shapes, while the history points to some colors. I'll stop here and let you scroll through some of my design highlights over the past two years.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The Finalist Flag Designs</h3>
Let's first start with the my formal submission for flags.<br />
<br />
FINALISTS #1: Fog and Gold<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt9n2KGA-Gpie18dZChm7wAUeeKg3cXnuAxpCS8lBUgMskAEYttXlHRbwxofohIkAKjbbSnXNz5N_ni8naXjMaaQiNguDOTcyOfFSSSczv89_71PL3wBh9DTWq8YaTtnPjbsn0CksT-E/s1600/SF+Flag_FogFlag_1GOLD-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt9n2KGA-Gpie18dZChm7wAUeeKg3cXnuAxpCS8lBUgMskAEYttXlHRbwxofohIkAKjbbSnXNz5N_ni8naXjMaaQiNguDOTcyOfFSSSczv89_71PL3wBh9DTWq8YaTtnPjbsn0CksT-E/s640/SF+Flag_FogFlag_1GOLD-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Fog is the theme. The city is surrounded by water, and it has been blessed with gold at times throughout its history.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
FINALIST #2: Wavy fog over bridge and pyramid<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifgk60h6YfeHoG3Fug5R_5GLsSqwKUGB7dWm9PklYz5-IicOZtQRf-sHgxv6aXag0vKMzwX5JaXRAlunTJY2QrcnBNi5xSt3dz4LRlyipAEYMhiaq-t_NqOxOUcDoBPxz_gzYmiXgiBw/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_DARKblue-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifgk60h6YfeHoG3Fug5R_5GLsSqwKUGB7dWm9PklYz5-IicOZtQRf-sHgxv6aXag0vKMzwX5JaXRAlunTJY2QrcnBNi5xSt3dz4LRlyipAEYMhiaq-t_NqOxOUcDoBPxz_gzYmiXgiBw/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_DARKblue-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
The fog covers all - creating four micro climates. Golden pyramids, and red bridges are prominent with a historical acknowledgement of our past flag's phoenix.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Finalist #3: San Francisco Square Star<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf-WCDGznFiVkKCs6yJW2QMG4JqISCmelEMFw3psXVLA37-0y8MTWtIt36TtyLdW_J6HLGYMy01HuP8LFP9feg9GS7WEGeKCwcLofaFu4-3C8KdoDZ7UJ4ydlx6nbOKuQPlAsvEAbFL8/s1600/SF+Flag_GoldSquare2.54star-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf-WCDGznFiVkKCs6yJW2QMG4JqISCmelEMFw3psXVLA37-0y8MTWtIt36TtyLdW_J6HLGYMy01HuP8LFP9feg9GS7WEGeKCwcLofaFu4-3C8KdoDZ7UJ4ydlx6nbOKuQPlAsvEAbFL8/s640/SF+Flag_GoldSquare2.54star-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here I finally broke away from direct physical references. It was quite liberating. The angled lines hint at the different street grids. The staggered gray hints at our tectonic fault lines. The "square star" hints at the city's pseudo square shape that is pointy in parts and not really a square.<br />
<br />
Color-wise, the gray, gold, red and blue (a lighter blue here) are all here, but green is added to point to our large green parks, our Mexican past, and our hoped for green future.<br />
<br />
As a reminder, this is what San Francisco's current flag looks like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ngy5DNbeg0DQDrnMxoQJHcs4DKk1gJ8XJGcLVOgW8ki80RG_c0ZqfN0iWtOkDa7ThWyD850J8OCHAcV7cE-LGJ9vyFHlFsxeqYmCoOavZMtGQfNZGfHNXvuhc8CWBcmWT4I89tG5hug/s1600/SanFrancisco+Current+Flag+Design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ngy5DNbeg0DQDrnMxoQJHcs4DKk1gJ8XJGcLVOgW8ki80RG_c0ZqfN0iWtOkDa7ThWyD850J8OCHAcV7cE-LGJ9vyFHlFsxeqYmCoOavZMtGQfNZGfHNXvuhc8CWBcmWT4I89tG5hug/s640/SanFrancisco+Current+Flag+Design.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The evolution of flag designs</h3>
</div>
<div>
My first blog post of a flag for San Francisco seems to have been in August 2013 - four years ago! Where I called for fog and the Golden Gate Bridge. I sure haven't drifted from that theme much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1tZVUl3galJK6KZ8n_fOS7WtOG23UBqxas2FNUxNCJkxPT-im0kuw5FcEw4DNqzVIoEtqssFgHnL4sTAOKvicRD3jHjrqm-y3PI0VmlrF1Aagn0SAcrMwIYh9EZ1NjkiM2kAxb6D0U0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-30+at+10.21.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1226" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1tZVUl3galJK6KZ8n_fOS7WtOG23UBqxas2FNUxNCJkxPT-im0kuw5FcEw4DNqzVIoEtqssFgHnL4sTAOKvicRD3jHjrqm-y3PI0VmlrF1Aagn0SAcrMwIYh9EZ1NjkiM2kAxb6D0U0/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-10-30+at+10.21.12+PM.png" width="598" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Two years later, in 2015, I created quite possibly my first San Francisco flag design. "Fog Meets Gate #3". Not sure what #1 or #2 looked like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqHHdKdC8JG5tQ3ggqtylm8mlPBhQS3y_3bNELztLm7Y7J8cJdRXSIcpeDZ9DBq66ar5UgY8bRq08T8nXaY6lNfyWrcsVZ0vGwBtYNqiWngOyDM6b3kgzJUMj0oDdEsGw4ZATxpwvLM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-30+at+10.22.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1234" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqHHdKdC8JG5tQ3ggqtylm8mlPBhQS3y_3bNELztLm7Y7J8cJdRXSIcpeDZ9DBq66ar5UgY8bRq08T8nXaY6lNfyWrcsVZ0vGwBtYNqiWngOyDM6b3kgzJUMj0oDdEsGw4ZATxpwvLM/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-10-30+at+10.22.21+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A later iteration of Fog Meets Gate had a symetrical Union Jack feel to it.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fzOBKsQHs6vhI89lblMqCvytk91D_a66mGi2yFWqCTq-HeE6xVR-B-J95xlDKgWayuZ8SULikyHP7WOQsv9nHtJZ223i2JF-y3Hz-MJylP4IcGvOdmmGg_5dBkwCpaHeF3mtGqyowMM/s1600/2015_0720_BenShaw_TwistonBStokleFlag+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fzOBKsQHs6vhI89lblMqCvytk91D_a66mGi2yFWqCTq-HeE6xVR-B-J95xlDKgWayuZ8SULikyHP7WOQsv9nHtJZ223i2JF-y3Hz-MJylP4IcGvOdmmGg_5dBkwCpaHeF3mtGqyowMM/s400/2015_0720_BenShaw_TwistonBStokleFlag+copy.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Similar idea - cooky 1970s vibe. The hills have entered the design now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR20kqa2w3WzRIj25pJQ36AF2PWVQEyhNdBBfZ5vFpbL2dgFBkka11ttahrt_fzSdSPy-iCq82B5Ut0pq7Iv7mhV-UtNpepVpnePGeCqCuWSNX2hcGO1SKDJsCOdiBBt63_pULpaI3iE/s1600/2015_0720_SF+Flag_double+Circle1.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR20kqa2w3WzRIj25pJQ36AF2PWVQEyhNdBBfZ5vFpbL2dgFBkka11ttahrt_fzSdSPy-iCq82B5Ut0pq7Iv7mhV-UtNpepVpnePGeCqCuWSNX2hcGO1SKDJsCOdiBBt63_pULpaI3iE/s200/2015_0720_SF+Flag_double+Circle1.2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv241gKeBhcQN3clOGRXfcih1av6hel23exsdXEjE6cQ-6A7HfmkelvHpYnEuVB2fke05d6xMLLq5TYUxI9DVochMtKHUON7ho5FMes44lwaBjXYl1RWg5QPZd6AUeVKRCB5-xN6jFEi4/s1600/2015_0702_SF+Flag+Design+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv241gKeBhcQN3clOGRXfcih1av6hel23exsdXEjE6cQ-6A7HfmkelvHpYnEuVB2fke05d6xMLLq5TYUxI9DVochMtKHUON7ho5FMes44lwaBjXYl1RWg5QPZd6AUeVKRCB5-xN6jFEi4/s200/2015_0702_SF+Flag+Design+B.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Experimenting with a more literal looks with weak results<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6sX9LJCn0_tSPe7eTNj9CzqEiGB5oGxPzSopeXgEaW8PPmQmIjYuLF8URUKiaaYhTZj4g1rOYLYlxR5fG9WVy0nAgXlkyrCWeXoUOdpM4yiCcpOK5I7TE_T3Vn6fBReGwAp9Q_pTxIk/s1600/2015_0704_SF+Flag+C+Bridge+Fog1_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6sX9LJCn0_tSPe7eTNj9CzqEiGB5oGxPzSopeXgEaW8PPmQmIjYuLF8URUKiaaYhTZj4g1rOYLYlxR5fG9WVy0nAgXlkyrCWeXoUOdpM4yiCcpOK5I7TE_T3Vn6fBReGwAp9Q_pTxIk/s320/2015_0704_SF+Flag+C+Bridge+Fog1_Page_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
By April 2016, I was finally trying to simplify. This "Sea Hill Fog Bridge" flag tries to do it all while also including the bad. The colors after this got pretty set: gold, white/gray, red/orange, and blue for the history, fog, Golden Gate/Fires, and waters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqp1eTOb3lB3QwJq_EhP_Uxd5z5QNqBPKH38q4BFW3bYr7KafSGXdLiiT7b3mmqHqJBIB4myldilVdKOCaxn3uee4MB5Mc-EAkX32v5Ds2cr_v48abo5ijXvTnLMZG3aGuYQYHfbSYMw/s1600/SF+Flag+2016+cable+hill_7.0+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="495" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqp1eTOb3lB3QwJq_EhP_Uxd5z5QNqBPKH38q4BFW3bYr7KafSGXdLiiT7b3mmqHqJBIB4myldilVdKOCaxn3uee4MB5Mc-EAkX32v5Ds2cr_v48abo5ijXvTnLMZG3aGuYQYHfbSYMw/s640/SF+Flag+2016+cable+hill_7.0+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought the Bay Bridge had been left out too long, so earlier this year I traced out the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge spans to scale on top of each other. Nice image, not a flag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpYWmC7-q0jTaO0zaGTWHivygurbX441BsCgZ30z3G8P2X3U1dzvYVJWMuZlV6vUe6UdCfJSwqMVXjNk-q7MroUnCj5uRYWj2Rh8YBEL8F5YB2Vky0xsW-xMJCjFtLtY98TxpCGCHsng/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_GoldBlue_touch2-01+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="910" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpYWmC7-q0jTaO0zaGTWHivygurbX441BsCgZ30z3G8P2X3U1dzvYVJWMuZlV6vUe6UdCfJSwqMVXjNk-q7MroUnCj5uRYWj2Rh8YBEL8F5YB2Vky0xsW-xMJCjFtLtY98TxpCGCHsng/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_GoldBlue_touch2-01+copy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Working of that theme I developed this graphic showing the many skylines of San Francisco:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sea with Farallons</li>
<li>Golden Gate Bridge</li>
<li>Hills</li>
<li>Bay Bridge</li>
<li>Downtown Skyline</li>
</ul>
<div>
Not a great flag, but lots of fun to make.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWObWJWxSwTF_1spyQtq1wKedZS6jes8IErcdJZwi2euvStW4WLZoQoXxbbhsHhIKx-K7dJxL292SrjwgjLC8gmzMEhGlohnj-ILFxV-OTAVAFy8WemFksLrYmXLE1ZmOlpBgFDPzwO9w/s1600/SF+Flag_Spans3-01-01+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1350" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWObWJWxSwTF_1spyQtq1wKedZS6jes8IErcdJZwi2euvStW4WLZoQoXxbbhsHhIKx-K7dJxL292SrjwgjLC8gmzMEhGlohnj-ILFxV-OTAVAFy8WemFksLrYmXLE1ZmOlpBgFDPzwO9w/s640/SF+Flag_Spans3-01-01+copy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I even tinkered with other color combos.<br />
<br />
Out of that silhouetted bridge and design work I created a more simple design showing gentle undulating fog over the Golden Gate Bridge (reddish orange), with a gold colored Bay Bridge. In this design you find my first hat tip to the current flag's phoenix design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBEms0jvKjK0E6eHthLr5M6XWS1SJ-aco0O9ICqoNyz1MWq7tJtYvryORu_5h3lrO0NA1N5yXWI1ggrVvo-S644ltBFsCHHYETbT8EE5WCIQ8NsPlkfL7U_71Z6CJWsZyCyqzPQHrhaQ/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_TIGHT_fogLEFT-02+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBEms0jvKjK0E6eHthLr5M6XWS1SJ-aco0O9ICqoNyz1MWq7tJtYvryORu_5h3lrO0NA1N5yXWI1ggrVvo-S644ltBFsCHHYETbT8EE5WCIQ8NsPlkfL7U_71Z6CJWsZyCyqzPQHrhaQ/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_TIGHT_fogLEFT-02+copy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here the fog got tapered, while the reddish orange became bolder red.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBfivxsC5gNamD1MOAgAyoF8R42xe17a5XfiP-odlZD-rwXyqf1J1g8Tu5vLHDBLownXvyfyQee3eV2ISzTVI1vXV4FD7kgrX_6g8e9WtlwDB1IG6i7P3IgtaY_YjHo7Bcv5PjpmT-Y4/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_TIGHT_LEFT_1.6x1_varried4-01+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBfivxsC5gNamD1MOAgAyoF8R42xe17a5XfiP-odlZD-rwXyqf1J1g8Tu5vLHDBLownXvyfyQee3eV2ISzTVI1vXV4FD7kgrX_6g8e9WtlwDB1IG6i7P3IgtaY_YjHo7Bcv5PjpmT-Y4/s400/SF+Flag_Bridge+Silhouette_TIGHT_LEFT_1.6x1_varried4-01+copy.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Time to break out of the mold. Based this design on old San Francisco street maps with Market Street (lower yellow line) and California Street with a bent pier into the bay. Ultimately too abstract and unclear.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4v8Xt3iTn_5WYbmPvSe2EgIQXOyE2oEBXShhGCFUt4FKnp_7kq6DpaWJJr_6Ls3we6553jDjcX1s2E5-NELRRirmWzAgR8Z1EBulT7b9IyA1eVhSEje9GKoEGImUIm9DvAWg0fgy_RI/s1600/2016_0706_Flag_MarketSt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1350" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4v8Xt3iTn_5WYbmPvSe2EgIQXOyE2oEBXShhGCFUt4FKnp_7kq6DpaWJJr_6Ls3we6553jDjcX1s2E5-NELRRirmWzAgR8Z1EBulT7b9IyA1eVhSEje9GKoEGImUIm9DvAWg0fgy_RI/s400/2016_0706_Flag_MarketSt.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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How about San Francisco's famous dual street grid with Market St separating the two. A great idea that didn't deliver as a flag design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Gr0RPxFYqBQhTW-E83Ir29sIDrJcjI8gqA6OvvhbIOM0s6Rp88kF7TA6piSqJnMHyjsAm0U16vPTJVotFpJWtGMU24O4PYwSGaXqtr2qHp-2-OcKHWoAzCf4DZgDz6bYJcjJgZ8y5M/s1600/SF+Flag_GRID_20170705_90deg-01+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1161" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Gr0RPxFYqBQhTW-E83Ir29sIDrJcjI8gqA6OvvhbIOM0s6Rp88kF7TA6piSqJnMHyjsAm0U16vPTJVotFpJWtGMU24O4PYwSGaXqtr2qHp-2-OcKHWoAzCf4DZgDz6bYJcjJgZ8y5M/s400/SF+Flag_GRID_20170705_90deg-01+copy.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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More practice trying new themes and designs by going to the Art Deco features of the Golden Gate Bridge towers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayvzU9Hfp5wkZZTsfWg8DO6vNMkUafS9rBEoRnyl7yHZF6onmzoII2-3QBIR1WWVWl7I8p0wvt0429CqyE8L05WS-MchXUAauYOnW2BVhdc_fta4TKF0Xx1fsjUbKw3IFG9NDONM7GVs/s1600/GoldenGateBridge_DecoFlag-01+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="253" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayvzU9Hfp5wkZZTsfWg8DO6vNMkUafS9rBEoRnyl7yHZF6onmzoII2-3QBIR1WWVWl7I8p0wvt0429CqyE8L05WS-MchXUAauYOnW2BVhdc_fta4TKF0Xx1fsjUbKw3IFG9NDONM7GVs/s400/GoldenGateBridge_DecoFlag-01+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Back to the Golden Gate Bridge and fog themes. The pointy pyramid started as the tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, then morphed into a more stylized pyramid (HT Transamerica Pyramid). I couldn't help but throw in the Ferry Building base. A bit of a kitchen sink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVyhRWOIRImGP0SVNKu7SQ2BM0wlPOzcot6rNy_o7aYgD6B3L1tpPMm4lg17pK7aOlkRFbJiOzOYu-rjypjlgrQNSy6FxJoX_zwgV0j0h7ys08onMRpVncdY6ajhQBK2YLvxnLDhBOzA/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE2_9-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="540" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVyhRWOIRImGP0SVNKu7SQ2BM0wlPOzcot6rNy_o7aYgD6B3L1tpPMm4lg17pK7aOlkRFbJiOzOYu-rjypjlgrQNSy6FxJoX_zwgV0j0h7ys08onMRpVncdY6ajhQBK2YLvxnLDhBOzA/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE2_9-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we're on to something.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmD3AeW-1G6Jhyphenhyphen4rnt59Q8a1W7FlQTrp190oQbjhDUraXc5UiM4AeS82D_giS_DvwrVSt1Ygpxc9bMoUWMbqhXpA63abo0WPf-vUwkxWtxOz7JoqAr18S5Kk9HmNhJeNQ8w8bsEK7aNM/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE3_low-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmD3AeW-1G6Jhyphenhyphen4rnt59Q8a1W7FlQTrp190oQbjhDUraXc5UiM4AeS82D_giS_DvwrVSt1Ygpxc9bMoUWMbqhXpA63abo0WPf-vUwkxWtxOz7JoqAr18S5Kk9HmNhJeNQ8w8bsEK7aNM/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE3_low-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some golden flavored fog added in for good measure. Could the four bands stand of fog stand for four micro-climates?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXPIFVH51VDHoRM8AxyleTVmm23fdjvXs0gtMj94FLTp4PLM8ssN7TbpqDxRdf5bK5JiaZsCa57clfdeixzMJ09LahcuSULn5EQQX0sDkcQL2jODKSvl55kw-xj6CenXjyt0XYUY7HyA/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_GoldFog_GoldPyramid-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXPIFVH51VDHoRM8AxyleTVmm23fdjvXs0gtMj94FLTp4PLM8ssN7TbpqDxRdf5bK5JiaZsCa57clfdeixzMJ09LahcuSULn5EQQX0sDkcQL2jODKSvl55kw-xj6CenXjyt0XYUY7HyA/s400/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_GoldFog_GoldPyramid-01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Still it all seemed one step too busy. Of the big themes, which might be the most basic and important to San Francisco - THE FOG.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1gjFj_AEYnMMq3Y83_5xEcBHmwVyydzKyuuDG6t6ADRR8213ZxqDX7122dHkTj29TNcS7P_EC0-rsmzVQ_CyaGZEZsIA4IKx13WmVlZLTKDvVuY5TGWn7m1ydQxQLYz0O7HmTa75tJE/s1600/SF+Flag_FogFlag-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1gjFj_AEYnMMq3Y83_5xEcBHmwVyydzKyuuDG6t6ADRR8213ZxqDX7122dHkTj29TNcS7P_EC0-rsmzVQ_CyaGZEZsIA4IKx13WmVlZLTKDvVuY5TGWn7m1ydQxQLYz0O7HmTa75tJE/s640/SF+Flag_FogFlag-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihncmIxW2MkrRIhvDgLIf20brbLG-GXYXgfxIFfZeXUsT8evDn4Xv8AlKjp2vHI0ubW1dYqkkECjQSD8nyxfj1T6gqzSqOCoimnhzL7SngZmmYdWK6JKbqBRVDBwLteXbWn_Dc6iFxLsE/s1600/SF+Flag_FogFlagGold3-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihncmIxW2MkrRIhvDgLIf20brbLG-GXYXgfxIFfZeXUsT8evDn4Xv8AlKjp2vHI0ubW1dYqkkECjQSD8nyxfj1T6gqzSqOCoimnhzL7SngZmmYdWK6JKbqBRVDBwLteXbWn_Dc6iFxLsE/s640/SF+Flag_FogFlagGold3-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello phoenix!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlN5RZDeoGadHiQwQlsGSPQ6QWjxZ_06F9-4gRllSYUKfCCK968ydDS39mjJ3myNb9z9UNLl1HH90s4KjdJdVOidGgKZK3rZvxjs9VEGT9x-ENZ2dCw2OvP8z60ddxk5HTZcxysdg7J4/s1600/SF+Flag_Phoenix_BlueFieldFog-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlN5RZDeoGadHiQwQlsGSPQ6QWjxZ_06F9-4gRllSYUKfCCK968ydDS39mjJ3myNb9z9UNLl1HH90s4KjdJdVOidGgKZK3rZvxjs9VEGT9x-ENZ2dCw2OvP8z60ddxk5HTZcxysdg7J4/s640/SF+Flag_Phoenix_BlueFieldFog-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're all influenced by other folks an their designs. Below is Mc Allen's proposal for a San Francisco designed flag. Horizontal bands of fog are counterplayed with vertical towers of San Francisco's two bridges and Sutro Tower. Although I liked his fog, Sutro Tower, bridges flag for its content, something didn't click for me. Great vertical features, but felt a bit too literal for a flag. Great use of overlaying and backdrop fog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi2sRI6SsSeD8rxQD6PFJYvH9o6hwhVzTOKvqexY1bsvfgxrLSC7wF79u50yIDdyXeTankmMfrdq8JGZqi-QGf2luWFuhbb838ar8nsi8SeZMGYHVGKMHgU-leqo1rEAy3I_UbNZu51k/s1600/McAllen+SF+Flag+Design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi2sRI6SsSeD8rxQD6PFJYvH9o6hwhVzTOKvqexY1bsvfgxrLSC7wF79u50yIDdyXeTankmMfrdq8JGZqi-QGf2luWFuhbb838ar8nsi8SeZMGYHVGKMHgU-leqo1rEAy3I_UbNZu51k/s400/McAllen+SF+Flag+Design.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My take on the fog and Sutro.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEpLamb5dKER8Nr6stz5InxWyUll8KE6KZsI1uY2g-lcUZTRKxhfMA-OnfaCU0xkxJWyxR62x-tjYJ3E2zSaNzZh8eLb_898n5j-P1FnEzV5Qbxq8NWGsdoZkbDE4jK011NnZMYDPBkw/s1600/SF+Flag_FogFlag_Sutro3-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEpLamb5dKER8Nr6stz5InxWyUll8KE6KZsI1uY2g-lcUZTRKxhfMA-OnfaCU0xkxJWyxR62x-tjYJ3E2zSaNzZh8eLb_898n5j-P1FnEzV5Qbxq8NWGsdoZkbDE4jK011NnZMYDPBkw/s640/SF+Flag_FogFlag_Sutro3-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And as a wrap up. Let's look at my three submissions for official flag designs for a San Francisco flag again.<br />
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Design #1<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs6RSW8S3Zdk0y2aq3ttAkcRwzv01Mwtba1Z9HG25SS84vFREGTGuWmll08u0IGe40ob6k0GsU2RI6ILdDW1xfLWAtZhqvQgEEfXmAagPLv1lI1SjP8B9fiRvE0QfPWJKCiRUOQNzYfs/s1600/SF+Flag_FogFlag_1GOLD-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs6RSW8S3Zdk0y2aq3ttAkcRwzv01Mwtba1Z9HG25SS84vFREGTGuWmll08u0IGe40ob6k0GsU2RI6ILdDW1xfLWAtZhqvQgEEfXmAagPLv1lI1SjP8B9fiRvE0QfPWJKCiRUOQNzYfs/s640/SF+Flag_FogFlag_1GOLD-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Design #2: Wavy fog over bridge and pyramid<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cZwyu2EXTk6ttRykRf8BU1-Y_TJ4WI1gah-PR-TZ5-4z5kl7XzZLN50ibC5a_FqtRqBlId5TIY8ZQRXklOrI_7WZ8wiMS4SOQR8DQ2c-fVgVTxI0hm3Ku6jfNA777ilKk0ngKZghd3Y/s1600/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_DARKblue-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cZwyu2EXTk6ttRykRf8BU1-Y_TJ4WI1gah-PR-TZ5-4z5kl7XzZLN50ibC5a_FqtRqBlId5TIY8ZQRXklOrI_7WZ8wiMS4SOQR8DQ2c-fVgVTxI0hm3Ku6jfNA777ilKk0ngKZghd3Y/s640/SF+Flag_Bridge+CrossWEAVE4_DARKblue-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Design #3: San Francisco Square Star<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3JH-w7dKgxEGDZHnV7PufwXMNr_OUdlCSeuRCX973F4BaUFkb4iQZLddUnrupuEPbu4O0UthxwrDUnn2yOF5gRhEphGpH2X7H3qsKCFL1FbyGQMlk_sNmNlg2fZpAYSTLsiwJBnf544/s1600/SF+Flag_GoldSquare2.54star-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3JH-w7dKgxEGDZHnV7PufwXMNr_OUdlCSeuRCX973F4BaUFkb4iQZLddUnrupuEPbu4O0UthxwrDUnn2yOF5gRhEphGpH2X7H3qsKCFL1FbyGQMlk_sNmNlg2fZpAYSTLsiwJBnf544/s640/SF+Flag_GoldSquare2.54star-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can find more about the details of the study of flags, vexillology from the <a href="http://nava.org/navanews/Commission-Report-Final-US.pdf">North American Vexillological Society.</a><br />
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Let me know what you think. What you like, don't like, think is intriguing, what matters, doesn't and more.<br />
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-Brian Stokle<br />
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P.S. Here are some of the other San Francisco flag redesigns that other folks have made that I like overall or for some design element or theme.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjI0-n_bAcU0ph5YYhuuZ4IlWw1myAc_3o35jR9MSvOUVR29ROOCHEe0YFjZlfrIeJ8nDAMFjqe2_4TqvZ9YpKlcj4BCFSXHCOV3lsxYxTJULlchV3Mp4nTmgjxaTTD1960hwjmkQeJs/s1600/Burrito+Justice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjI0-n_bAcU0ph5YYhuuZ4IlWw1myAc_3o35jR9MSvOUVR29ROOCHEe0YFjZlfrIeJ8nDAMFjqe2_4TqvZ9YpKlcj4BCFSXHCOV3lsxYxTJULlchV3Mp4nTmgjxaTTD1960hwjmkQeJs/s320/Burrito+Justice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design: <a href="http://www.burritojustice.com/">Burrito Justice</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6HT9mH8jdGPZqgXS-tbFsoGFM5o8DcSpId0Gk23PfKUiAK46BI9kImtQxcto3iTgY8o_X-qywRJJcqjupBnOxhFI7NXbsbh66UF5T4d9sU7kdMOFBK-axF4H5CtO3fP9Q1NDTpPRoE8/s1600/DasBirdies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1277" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6HT9mH8jdGPZqgXS-tbFsoGFM5o8DcSpId0Gk23PfKUiAK46BI9kImtQxcto3iTgY8o_X-qywRJJcqjupBnOxhFI7NXbsbh66UF5T4d9sU7kdMOFBK-axF4H5CtO3fP9Q1NDTpPRoE8/s320/DasBirdies.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology/comments/4pes02/san_francisco_redesign/" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(113, 138, 131); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff604a; font-family: Acto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: inherit; transition: color 0.1s, background-color 0.1s, fill 0.1s; vertical-align: inherit;">DasBirdies</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKccid81OAwwQGrHz204HC_sqvga6r55WCtMvSj838oZQsVzPbz3M2jEbRIJ-QvXohbzggCTE4VhLf-BffqlRD1r_jM03NLm29ZKfzWnNnBe7DZdpWkN11Hl79spg-gyFUfMT1IQZM49I/s1600/Marc+Country+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKccid81OAwwQGrHz204HC_sqvga6r55WCtMvSj838oZQsVzPbz3M2jEbRIJ-QvXohbzggCTE4VhLf-BffqlRD1r_jM03NLm29ZKfzWnNnBe7DZdpWkN11Hl79spg-gyFUfMT1IQZM49I/s320/Marc+Country+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design: <a href="https://twitter.com/neilmussett/status/544124750210301952">Neil Mussett</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qo0ANpAb68MHOCZ3zvJ06T5La4dh0D_-s_PNOxUgTamPD40X7R9VVR42bxA93XbGT9vA67u9sX8LXZzmJDihNitBimdRW08etcAPWJBqpuBsOlaHYVbn2b3_5Lvxu0_1NEtHq4Lg7Zc/s1600/Maz+Ameli.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qo0ANpAb68MHOCZ3zvJ06T5La4dh0D_-s_PNOxUgTamPD40X7R9VVR42bxA93XbGT9vA67u9sX8LXZzmJDihNitBimdRW08etcAPWJBqpuBsOlaHYVbn2b3_5Lvxu0_1NEtHq4Lg7Zc/s1600/Maz+Ameli.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design: <a href="https://twitter.com/mazameli/status/603420722145308673">Maz Ameli</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPqJs3yRWv9O2fUQtHK0xYAXTmq_kekB3GHZP5d2TDGqyXQXcpPoONy4m1vpFZl3Y4DzfJIZbWcpdGP_dsz7ZKSaJpvGNU65tyd1S77bmO98hNqDlLMmJMKreSJY01KLNg9Yu3-tmMWU/s1600/Michael+Greshko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPqJs3yRWv9O2fUQtHK0xYAXTmq_kekB3GHZP5d2TDGqyXQXcpPoONy4m1vpFZl3Y4DzfJIZbWcpdGP_dsz7ZKSaJpvGNU65tyd1S77bmO98hNqDlLMmJMKreSJY01KLNg9Yu3-tmMWU/s320/Michael+Greshko.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design: Michael Greshko</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com2San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000136.9717915 -123.71030900000001 38.578067499999996 -121.12852200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-80232847637986894602017-09-30T23:50:00.001-07:002017-10-01T09:49:28.033-07:00Keep DTX stations high and dry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With two recent hurricanes coming ashore of mainland United States in Texas and Florida, and the associated flooding, it got me thinking about future sea rise and storm risk areas in the Bay Area and how future train tunnels and stations might be affected if we were to have a big storm combined with sea level rise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZylykLAFH9dJS_wCP5AplDimAunKXEPXq-CnLpQBY48Kp0W3RRH6FNzEi_d17SIC5s2wLwyswY3P0fNq1af-SMQj-Jo0ADQTrfizGx-TcySGpqjc1QgxN_MTMk6wie60AIbcb1uhjig/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-01+at+8.50.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="956" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZylykLAFH9dJS_wCP5AplDimAunKXEPXq-CnLpQBY48Kp0W3RRH6FNzEi_d17SIC5s2wLwyswY3P0fNq1af-SMQj-Jo0ADQTrfizGx-TcySGpqjc1QgxN_MTMk6wie60AIbcb1uhjig/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-10-01+at+8.50.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Move the Mission Rock Station 0.33 miles south to 16th St to higher ground and better connection with Muni buses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Firstly, to be clear, my intentions are to be proactive, adaptive and work with the world of higher seas that we are now entering. I have not intention to be alarmist - rather prudent under future dramatic circumstances. Let's just say, with sea level rise we must avoid the unmanageable and manage the avoidable. Seeing that we haven't protected any of our shore <i>yet</i>, new train stations should <i>avoid the unmanageable flooding.</i> However, if have <i>managed the avoidable, as in protecting our low lying lands, </i>stations could be placed in lower lying places.<br />
<br />
The current <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-mission-bay-tetris-rubiks-cube-rail.html">Downtown Rail Extension </a>of the Caltrain line calls for a tunnel from Mission Bay to the Trainforce Transit Center (aka Transbay Transit Center) at Mission and First streets, <i>through areas at <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/08/entwining-bart-and-caltrain-elegantly.html">5 or fewer feet above current sea level.</a></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CNGkyxgJ2NN8FUZS9EcJb6sca8Y_d7Ja-kjWTScQeQvsagpjcBOAGLg-iXmeLuHaWZoqjbodg-SrzgoTu8c8K9moIFSrU-jm8tD8n_yjpHmghx1eFsdobooqbrLWWmvzu5RthiGmx_c/s1600/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527_Penn-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CNGkyxgJ2NN8FUZS9EcJb6sca8Y_d7Ja-kjWTScQeQvsagpjcBOAGLg-iXmeLuHaWZoqjbodg-SrzgoTu8c8K9moIFSrU-jm8tD8n_yjpHmghx1eFsdobooqbrLWWmvzu5RthiGmx_c/s400/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527_Penn-01.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SF Planning Department's Pennsylvania Alignment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEazh8BqJYlw-vXq4yK4Mlhg0evZsXLtTlwxVt18N0owTvNSvL-5miDcp92RI8rr4nhbJy5XqpOqXADdwq6lUt0tI8aOXOQHMURmHj9zdBz1nj1NusANMDbGtNskqsBXIcvpy_FvImeE/s1600/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527_3rdSt-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEazh8BqJYlw-vXq4yK4Mlhg0evZsXLtTlwxVt18N0owTvNSvL-5miDcp92RI8rr4nhbJy5XqpOqXADdwq6lUt0tI8aOXOQHMURmHj9zdBz1nj1NusANMDbGtNskqsBXIcvpy_FvImeE/s400/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527_3rdSt-01.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SF Planning Department's Third St (Mission Bay) Alignment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know that train tunnels go through zones full of groundwater. These tunnels are build to minimize or prevent groundwater infiltration into the tunnel. Pumps are standard in underground subway systems like San Francisco and New York City. So having a new train tunnel go through a area potentially flooded by sea water may not be such a problem, especially if vents and emergency stairways exit to higher ground or platformed locations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKXhcEhnL7ho939p6F8T6cKQSIe5bEK_Y1E-PR-KXiaO953qf3yDD7T6j-_e_sJH9kLbNrYd4BZEKhvycQ2F2mP2yieArh_zaE0FFbur6ie3cxUfRi9aTNaAbRqjwgOebRPtrx0-6RTQ/s1600/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527BLUE_3rdSt2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKXhcEhnL7ho939p6F8T6cKQSIe5bEK_Y1E-PR-KXiaO953qf3yDD7T6j-_e_sJH9kLbNrYd4BZEKhvycQ2F2mP2yieArh_zaE0FFbur6ie3cxUfRi9aTNaAbRqjwgOebRPtrx0-6RTQ/s640/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527BLUE_3rdSt2-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This leads me to my point. Although tunnels may pass through potetially wet zones, why would we build a multi-billion dollar train tunnel with <i>stations</i> and station surface openings where the land is so low and at risk of being inundated in less than 100 years by sea level rise?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyCBA6L76aY8-2it6HU-hk59ShTTAY83Z-w62HdDgyUPX8MuW8JQS27D7LabgQI1Q4tWhNKC6orf1_T72RtpayMTzMPGR6yDBYUk3TX0U4v6WxXTEakOxF20fRdHGNOjRg_JFt-UMOK0/s1600/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527BLUE_Penn_high-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyCBA6L76aY8-2it6HU-hk59ShTTAY83Z-w62HdDgyUPX8MuW8JQS27D7LabgQI1Q4tWhNKC6orf1_T72RtpayMTzMPGR6yDBYUk3TX0U4v6WxXTEakOxF20fRdHGNOjRg_JFt-UMOK0/s640/SurgingSeas_MissionBay_5%2527BLUE_Penn_high-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The solution to the problem is to place the stations at higher ground. </span><br />
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By placing stations at higher ground, say above 5 feet, we can ensure that the stations will likely be open and functioning for the 100-150 years that a train tunnel is built for.<br />
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In addition, moving the DTX stations to higher ground might create better station locations than current stations, and wouldn't create significant design changes to the tunnel constructions that are currently planned.<br />
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<b>Pennsylvania Alignment</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcGJKJRo9f_1PKEe1KVRumqEsD20gS29Kk4t_RTlxiW8PsMXc0n0eH_oTPngLqMQ3p58iYCXSmehRGsed2hyQSYTzPMNfImKG0Y3N-jNy49fAH2jOBnA2rO_fI2VEffY3dHOZPss-vas/s1600/SurgingSeas_DTX+5%2527+Pennsylvania-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcGJKJRo9f_1PKEe1KVRumqEsD20gS29Kk4t_RTlxiW8PsMXc0n0eH_oTPngLqMQ3p58iYCXSmehRGsed2hyQSYTzPMNfImKG0Y3N-jNy49fAH2jOBnA2rO_fI2VEffY3dHOZPss-vas/s640/SurgingSeas_DTX+5%2527+Pennsylvania-01.png" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennsylvania Alignment with stations moved to 3rd & Townsend, 16th and Mississippi, and Cesar Chavez.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
DTX project has the following two alignments under serious consideration. Both alignments work well for getting commuters to Mission Bay and on to the Transbay Transit Center (aka Trainforce Terminal). Their main differences are where to place stations and how those locations will be closer or farther from various employment, residential and entertainment concentrations.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Pennsylvania Alignment</li>
<ul>
<li>Tunnel from 23rd St under Pennsylvania, under the 16th St/Mississippi intersection, under 7th St, then turn east under Townsend and on under 2nd St to the Transbay Center.</li>
</ul>
<li>Third Street (Mission Bay) Alignment</li>
<ul>
<li>Tunnel from 23rd St over to Third Street, then under Third St through Mission Bay, then under 2nd Street in SoMa on to the Transbay Center.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
The <b>Pennsylvania Option</b>, as planned places its SoMa/Mission Bay station under Townsend between 4th & 5th streets. This area is in the 5 foot sea rise zone. However, moving the station just one block east, between 4th and 3rd streets would be higher ground while still keeping the station as a transfer point to the Muni T-Third line.</div>
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<div>
Alternatively or in addition, a 16th St Mississippi Station would provide better access to the UCSF Mission Bay and new Warriors Stadium area, not to mention the California College of Arts. </div>
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<b>Third Street (Mission Bay) Alignment</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf9Qb_WJWNdWM2PGLVMRVhAcaAsOSk3jkvowpm8fnJrvGAbiBg-C5l84gup4a1_8A7X82wcKWvK-7L4YMIRVaQrYdS8WabR8MoYLJDzdc9JHgUhcFRAwD3QqFoETrgK4L4Lf6mFiNwxw/s1600/SurgingSeas_DTX+5%2527+ThirdSt-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf9Qb_WJWNdWM2PGLVMRVhAcaAsOSk3jkvowpm8fnJrvGAbiBg-C5l84gup4a1_8A7X82wcKWvK-7L4YMIRVaQrYdS8WabR8MoYLJDzdc9JHgUhcFRAwD3QqFoETrgK4L4Lf6mFiNwxw/s640/SurgingSeas_DTX+5%2527+ThirdSt-01.png" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third Street Alignment with stations moved to 16th and 3rd, and Cesar Chavez.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <b>Third Street Option</b>, as planned, places the new SoMa/Mission Bay station under Third Street somewhere near Mission Rock and north of UCSF Mission Bay. This area is great for access to the future Central SoMa developments, Mission Rock and Mission Bay overall. However it is in the 5 foot sea rise zone. Moving the station just a bit south, between 16th St and South St, or Mariposa and 16th St would be higher ground while still keeping the station as a transfer point to the Muni T-Third line. Although farther from Central SoMa, that area would still be accessible by the T-Third. A station between 16th St and Mariposa would be at the front door to the UCSF Mission Bay Medical Center and to the future Warriors Arena (Chase Center), with its added office buildings.<br />
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Under current plans of the RAB study, the 22nd St station would be put underground, an expensive proposition. Under my plan, both options would move south, away from the more residential Dogpatch neighborhood, to and above ground Cesar Chavez Station that would provide better access to points west of the rail line, and still be above the 5 foot elevation.<br />
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For both the Pennsylvania and Third Street options, having 22nd Street station moved south, but having 16th St stations would still provide good access to the new Pier 70 development, and provide better access to the southern Mission Bay than any of the current plans.<br />
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We may someday create a plan to protect our at-risk of sea level rise flooding neighborhoods. But until we actually have them protected, plans for building these highly important train tunnels should have stations opening to the surface on higher ground, not potentially wet zones.</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-88509837917985414442017-07-31T22:52:00.001-07:002017-08-02T07:27:30.310-07:00To run parallel or across: SF Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last post we looked at <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/parallel-subway-lines-how-far-would.html">parallel subways</a> throughout North America and examined how the distance between them might aid in the Bay Area's hoped for new subways, especially a second transbay rail crossing. We applied it to Oakland. This time we look at San Francisco to see how it might apply there.<br />
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San Francisco clearly needs an extra separate subway line to relieve the overcrowded and stressed Market Street Tunnel and Transbay Tube. Putting a new line through its downtown would relieve the current line, and allow for even more people to take transit to work in San Francisco. Note, that a parallel subway line is just one way to address capacity. A line that runs perpendicular addresses some of the same demands, just in different ways. We'll talk about that a bit later.<br />
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The distance between parallel lines (based on my small sample size) is roughly 0.33 miles to 0.5 miles apart, or 1,700 feet to 2,600 feet. This translate to about 7 to 12 minutes if you're walking.<br />
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BART passes through four stations along Market Street, while Muni Metro passes through seven. In addition, if you take in the BART's curve down Mission Street to the south, the line has six stations from Embarcadero to 24th St Mission.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDiFBrjLihfvfbyw1VX-PU6x0BYgCpi-j65UzLesMTrKvDbH0PHW4mac7Ie9BbKJuRNdpa2tIjxeTqZmnxooDYsXYnODXAASWiMlOzAZzxyRi4-AyqqUUq79iTmU9pBMBx9kDd3eYBdQ/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_Market-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDiFBrjLihfvfbyw1VX-PU6x0BYgCpi-j65UzLesMTrKvDbH0PHW4mac7Ie9BbKJuRNdpa2tIjxeTqZmnxooDYsXYnODXAASWiMlOzAZzxyRi4-AyqqUUq79iTmU9pBMBx9kDd3eYBdQ/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_Market-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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If we use the sweet spot distanced, 0.35 miles away, <b>south of Market</b>, then <b>Folsom Street </b>is at this distance and runs parallel to Market through SoMa. If the parallel line were to continue further south, bending into the Mission District, an "optimum" street not too far, and not too near to BART would be <b>Harrison Street </b>between Division and 24th St. Stop locations could include:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>First and Folsom near the "Trainforce Center" (or maybe the "Salad Bowl" with its curved walls and leafy green top"</li>
<li>Moscone at Folsom to connect to the T-Third in the Central Subway</li>
<li>Eighth St and Folsom in SoMa West</li>
<li>Northeast Mission at 16th Street or 18th St</li>
<li>24th Street</li>
<li>Bernal Heights?</li>
</ul>
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To the north, the street grid does not run parallel/perpendicular, so a parallel line would be more difficult to install, or at least would need to be deeper to avoid footings of existing buildings. That all being said, if we force this parallel line into existence, we find a few possible station locations:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Finnicial District and North Beach</li>
<ul>
<li>Columbus and Montgomery at the Transamerica Pyramid near Jackson Square</li>
<li>Clay and Kearney at Portsmouth Square near Chinatown</li>
</ul>
<li>Northeast of Union Square in Lower Nob Hill/Upper Tenderloin</li>
<ul>
<li>Sutter and Taylor </li>
<li>Geary and Leavenworth along the Geary bus line</li>
</ul>
<li>Western Addition and Civic Center</li>
<ul>
<li>Van Ness and Turk</li>
<li>Gough and McAllister near Hayes Valley</li>
</ul>
</ul>
By no means is this the only places such stations could go. The stations would likely need to be at least 100 to 200 feet deep to avoid some taller buildings with deep pilings or foundations that go to bedrock, especially in the financial district.<br />
<br />
Further south, parallel to Mission Street, the line would run down Dolores Street if at 0.35 miles away, with possible stations at:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Duboce and Market, with a possible one block connect to Muni Metro lines</li>
<li>18th and Dolores on the edges of the Mission and Castro and at the doorstep of Dolores Park</li>
<li>South Mission</li>
<ul>
<li>24th Street and Dolores or</li>
<li>29th Street and Dolores</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<a name='more'></a>The idea of such parallel lines 0.35 miles from Market to Mission shows how distances could work, but would only work most of the station areas were significantly upzoned and densified.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIam1iE-LDkJFnNDTuk7ZSQ-JYPV3HD28RcLe7TrT-ktYeZFV_Ev10UFpISvqVLJRG4FgVgBPcESccbwqtNJYPm9lx92NzQUU5PpsQyT223HdP9kv1p76L9MQbAZTXu_2FKqJbx-feLw/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_dblParallel-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIam1iE-LDkJFnNDTuk7ZSQ-JYPV3HD28RcLe7TrT-ktYeZFV_Ev10UFpISvqVLJRG4FgVgBPcESccbwqtNJYPm9lx92NzQUU5PpsQyT223HdP9kv1p76L9MQbAZTXu_2FKqJbx-feLw/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_dblParallel-01.png" width="592" /></a></div>
<br />
The attention to BART as the primary subway system in the region is understandable. It reaches a majority of the Bay Area, and is the most "advanced" of the systems However just because it runs on a different technology and has a different name, we should not forget about Caltrain and the Downtown Extension (DTX) to the Transbay Transit Center. Although not parallel to BART, any future planned 2nd tube should take the Caltrain line into its planning process.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYolr_rc8xxodvqSQ_bHjjerYeCdmP3in4F-QyIoDvotSU65RiYTGovgTqBF6HMZVoL4phyphenhyphenrkAX64VDGHef0sW_z5C2m5nbEswoybk-ledSZCCtIjEKistM3vzEhDBdwfjeQneE_1dfE/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_Caltrain_dblParallel-01-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYolr_rc8xxodvqSQ_bHjjerYeCdmP3in4F-QyIoDvotSU65RiYTGovgTqBF6HMZVoL4phyphenhyphenrkAX64VDGHef0sW_z5C2m5nbEswoybk-ledSZCCtIjEKistM3vzEhDBdwfjeQneE_1dfE/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_Caltrain_dblParallel-01-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Continuing the parallel lines as a starting point but adding in the need for folks to transfer between the old line and the new line, having a hybrid of a parallel line while also crossing at some point may be the stronger formula.<br />
<br />
Option one takes the north of Market route, while crossing Market Street at Civic Center then following Harrison St south through the Mission. An alternate plan, as shown below, has the Folsom line in SoMa turn west to follow Hayes St. Another street like Fell or Grove could work too.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Option #1 - North of Market Harrison Line</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE7Wt7z8hsZfagMBIWeAL_mdCvBBouiFq9uLnPdYq-oDUEjCcqYUum17-v9DETNxr9VMH_Nw03pGTohQb5eJ4915yubGMLWh6DK5nnohkgSpC8GaouK6Fqc21wwk8Qck2JovLgYm9pMw/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_North2Bryant2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE7Wt7z8hsZfagMBIWeAL_mdCvBBouiFq9uLnPdYq-oDUEjCcqYUum17-v9DETNxr9VMH_Nw03pGTohQb5eJ4915yubGMLWh6DK5nnohkgSpC8GaouK6Fqc21wwk8Qck2JovLgYm9pMw/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_North2Bryant2-01.png" width="592" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Option #2 - Folsom - Hayes Line</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH25jnCLZ38cIoDQqr6qFTQ1P1J0dZGr72vj_pEMZbCcSdYq6PSdvg9nc5e-FSOMZGxJBdQSI_G9CsP8MIM3KFmEkGyODXkYb6U_pV58zrXH4K7R8f_4zKKq-hWmYwVM2g-jM9ZTFjXs/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_FolsomHayes-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH25jnCLZ38cIoDQqr6qFTQ1P1J0dZGr72vj_pEMZbCcSdYq6PSdvg9nc5e-FSOMZGxJBdQSI_G9CsP8MIM3KFmEkGyODXkYb6U_pV58zrXH4K7R8f_4zKKq-hWmYwVM2g-jM9ZTFjXs/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_FolsomHayes-01.png" width="592" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Talking about parallel lines is really just a tool to think about where and how a new metro or subway rail line should pass through San Francisco from a second transbay crossing.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, the crossing approach is more compelling to me, as it achieves better coverage, creates stronger new transfers. As shown in <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-woman-is-on-her-way-to-work.html">previous blog posts</a>, I believe a 3rd St/2nd St line that turns west down Post then on to Geary is the best option for the people it serves at homes, and jobs, and critical serves.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREVC1M45jJ-LN-wBuxCGR4zrQ_kTTdOiKjPBXmn5VkRySeAIuNXhxhqR5Qncketw7tjyCNej0vK7KbF99DuC28-WPkANgQfivAlNOrn3oNK_5__ojbEYiSbXDF2_uv6S_-0pmjydV0jQ/s1600/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_SLR+SpecialV2_CaltrainTB2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREVC1M45jJ-LN-wBuxCGR4zrQ_kTTdOiKjPBXmn5VkRySeAIuNXhxhqR5Qncketw7tjyCNej0vK7KbF99DuC28-WPkANgQfivAlNOrn3oNK_5__ojbEYiSbXDF2_uv6S_-0pmjydV0jQ/s640/Parallel+Metros_San+Francisco_SLR+SpecialV2_CaltrainTB2-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At the same time, a reroute of the Caltrain DTX line to avoid sea level rise of at least 6' is also prudent. Providing stations in south Mission Bay / north Dogpatch, as well as Brannan and 7th, you get a line that skirts the significant sea level rise zones of Mission Bay and South SoMa near the 4th & King Railyard. At the same time, it still serves the attraction points of jobs in Mission Bay and South SoMa, entertainment at AT&T Park and Chase Center/Warriors Arena, and the thousands of people who live in Mission Bay, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and SoMa.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcZ7KhHtek99PZwtiS1iseCgOxheDjqvn8z_bbfGosyN8F8CLrsFM9X1cz5aK8-IhrrE9hrN21GG5nIUlMF6PSHUcznxITQiU3rn6njiL1fBl5TRDJV4dUePyXB289ZFtVcLyD2LAG6I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-08-01+at+9.07.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcZ7KhHtek99PZwtiS1iseCgOxheDjqvn8z_bbfGosyN8F8CLrsFM9X1cz5aK8-IhrrE9hrN21GG5nIUlMF6PSHUcznxITQiU3rn6njiL1fBl5TRDJV4dUePyXB289ZFtVcLyD2LAG6I/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-08-01+at+9.07.31+AM.png" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Climate Central / <a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/maps">Surging Seas</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This option also creates two super hubs where multiple BART, Muni and Caltrain trains all meet and facilitate solid transfers and generate more ridership.<br />
<br />
The <b>Trainforce Center</b> would host:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART's existing lines under Market St</li>
<li>Munit Metro's lines under Market St</li>
<li>Caltrain and High Speed Rail</li>
<li>New BART transbay line serving Downtown, Richmond District, Alameda, Downtown Oakland and the East Bay.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The <b>Union Square/Powell </b>hub would host:</div>
<ul>
<li>Muni Metro T-Line (Central Subway)</li>
<li>BART's existing lines under Market St</li>
<li>Muni Metro's lines under Market St</li>
<li>New BART transbay line serving Downtown, Richmond District, Alameda, Downtown Oakland and the East Bay.</li>
</ul>
An alternate option is to take the new BART line up 5th Street instead of 3rd and 2nd Streets. The benefit is it goes through Mission Bay and the new South SoMa developments. However it would go directly through the more at risk areas that would experience flooding if little to no mitigations for sea level rise are installed.<br />
<br />
Either way, these plans that call for a new line to <i>cross the Market Street </i>BART and Muni lines will dramatically increase transit share, function in 2075 when sea level rise and storm surges are higher (if <i>real</i> protections are put in place), serve more people who will be taking transit than driving, and the benefit the city's neighborhoods with more dense housing that includes abundant affordable housing.</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-74943766814848237292017-06-30T23:44:00.000-07:002017-07-01T09:29:25.070-07:00Parallel Subway Lines - How far would Goldilocks go?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Parallel metro rail lines<br />
<br />
The Bay Area is a big metropolis. Not the biggest, but quite large. We have a metro rail (or subway) system called BART. We also have a regional rail system with Caltrain, while BART beyond Oakland and Berkeley acts more like a regional rail system.<br />
<br />
What we don't have is multiple and separate rail lines that cross each other or run parallel like may cities do. In Washington DC, the Metro lines cross themselves three locations (Metro Center, Gallery Place/Chinatown, and L'Enfant Plaza). The Atlanta MARTA system makes a cross, where all lines meet at Five Points. In Los Angeles the lines meet at 7th St/Metro Center and soon Union Station.<br />
In Boston, the colored rail lines meet at a plentiful 4 locations. However connecting the four stations are all in very close proximity, effectively making one large hub, not multiple ones like in other examples.<br />
<br />
Why have parallel lines or a hub transfer station where lines cross? Having two completely separate lines, whether parallel or crossing overs people different ways, options, to get to city centers. With a cross of lines, it means trains can come from all directions. If parallel, it means that depending where I am, or where I'm going, I have two options. This is especially useful if one of the lines is crowded or if there's a train breakdown. I can always use the other line.<br />
<br />
When looking at comparable city centers to Oakland or San Francisco, we see cities with similar densities like Washington, DC, Montreal, Toronto, and Philadelphia. All of these cities have parallel subway rail lines for at least two stations on each line. On average they are about 1/3 to just under 1/2 a mile apart; 0.35-0.45 miles apart to be precise, based on the cities I looked at.<br />
<br />
Let's just look at parallel lines and stations for now. I ask, how far apart should a parallel line be in the Bay Area. Today we look at how far apart train lines should <i>or could </i>be in Oakland.<br />
<br />
<b>Toronto</b><br />
0.40 miles apart<br />
Toronto's looping Yonge-University (#1) Line swoops makes a distinct loop through the heart of the city center, turning back at Union Station. Although only one line, it acts like two.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Washington, DC</b><br />
0.34 miles apart<br />
Washington's Metro system run by WMATA was built and designed in a similar time as BART. Much like BART, multiple rail lines. On the map shown, the parallel lines running north are 0.34 miles apart. The one to the left carries the Silver, Blue and Orange lines, while the line to the east carries the Yellow and Green lines.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOOhDDll1IqLhi9Lm16TsfXussnk4bzTn0OQm6_WR6fmDLNw_riqGombZGzVF3ziKsVizoUOKbJqbZzrU_7inkLUkDWXUbeLItq8myhf6s-fXdj2hXPDjb6czR1DpYQ2VkohGRaCn7Cw/s1600/Parallel+Metros_DC-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOOhDDll1IqLhi9Lm16TsfXussnk4bzTn0OQm6_WR6fmDLNw_riqGombZGzVF3ziKsVizoUOKbJqbZzrU_7inkLUkDWXUbeLItq8myhf6s-fXdj2hXPDjb6czR1DpYQ2VkohGRaCn7Cw/s640/Parallel+Metros_DC-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Montreal</b><br />
0.43 miles apart<br />
Montreal's has two metro lines, the Orange and Green run parallel for quite a long distance. Their separation varies, but is about 0.43 miles in the city center.<br />
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<b>Philadelphia</b><br />
0.3 miles apart<br />
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Oakland</h2>
<div>
0.43 miles apart between Broadway and Brush - the ConnectOakland I-980 proposal.</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From this list of systems, parallel lines range from 0.3 to 0.43 miles apart, with the average distance between parallel rail lines in or at city centers is 0.3675 miles.<br />
<br />
0.3 miles from Broadway is just west of Martin Luther King Way to the west and just east of Alice Street to the east.<br />
0.43 miles from Broadway is to Brush St in the west and to Madison Street in the east.<br />
<br />
So the I-980 proposal is in the range of existing parallel subway lines, on the outside edge of the range. Placing the parallel line on Castro St or Jackson St is 0.365 miles from Broadway - essentially the average distance in this small sample.<br />
<br />
Finally, let's look into the past to a late 19th century Chicago where the Chicago Loop was constructed in a less than currently dense city. The north/south roads of the loop, Wabash and Wells streets are 0.394 miles apart, which happens to be about the distance between Broadway and 12th St and the center of I-980 at 12th St.<br />
<br />
Note that none of these parallel rail lines are <i>closer </i>than 0.3 miles. Making stations too close means they are overly redundant and are not spreading out the area that would benefit from transit and from dense development. Making the rail lines in Oakland less than 0.3 miles, say running down Webster and Harrison would be a mistake based on this analysis. </div>
<br /></div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-51475229803053629972017-05-12T20:31:00.000-07:002017-05-12T20:31:33.771-07:00In one word: one-word station names and line names<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After joking around about how <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-new-map-for-bart-with-better-names.html">long BART station names</a> have become, it's time to get serious (sort of) and present my suggestions for "reasonable" and not long-winded names in which nearly half the new stations is brandished with a slash. (Yes I'm looking at you Warm Springs/South Fremont.)<br />
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I really blame North Concord/Martinez for starting the mess with the slashes in long names. It was the first station with a slash, well before Civic Center/UN Plaza, and Pittsburg/Bay Point. I give some sympathy to Dublin/Pleasanton as the station lies on the border between the two incorporated cities of Dublin and Pleasanton.<br />
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I now give you a system map of Bay Area station names... ALL WITH ONE WORD NAMES! One exception is given to numbered streets. I couldn't fathom naming a station "16th" instead of "16th Street". Somehow calling Redwood City's station "Redwood" seemed ok to me, but not "16th" in lieu of "16th St".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Qm560nA5wsAWKz_wCAEePC8DzPqQ9FcubzwBEaMImxiW-71GarTzn-dg5LY0pX9dBkvYlefLSBa6Lsk6Vk1NqdhaIKOtGb0kiOZMd8SezOtaKyNbC6lRp7eYsFZHN-mpQpN2LeKd6Y/s1600/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_onewordnamesBIG-01+crop-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Qm560nA5wsAWKz_wCAEePC8DzPqQ9FcubzwBEaMImxiW-71GarTzn-dg5LY0pX9dBkvYlefLSBa6Lsk6Vk1NqdhaIKOtGb0kiOZMd8SezOtaKyNbC6lRp7eYsFZHN-mpQpN2LeKd6Y/s640/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_onewordnamesBIG-01+crop-01.png" width="574" /></a></div>
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What I'm more excited about than the one word station names is the <b>rail <i>line</i> names</b>. Although line names based on color and numbers are practical, they aren't very inspiring. It's the London Underground and its Canadian counterparts that have named lines with colorful names. The line names can be simple and practical (e.g. Central Line), honor an event or royal (Expo Line, Victoria Line).<br />
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So let's give some names to Bay Area rail lines. I've come up with a few names that seem relevant geographically, historically, or just fun.<br />
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Here's what I put together, but there's much room for improvement.<br />
BART Red Line --> <b>Golden Line</b><br />
BART Yellow Line --><b> Diablo Line</b><br />
BART Green Line --> <b>Estuary Line</b><br />
BART Blue Line --> <b>Emperor Norton Line</b><br />
BART Orange Line --> <b>Key Line</b><br />
Oakland Airport Connector --><b>Amelia Connector</b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Regional rail lines could be the following:<br />
Caltrain Local Service --> <b>El Camino Line</b><br />
Caltrain Baby Bullet --> <b>El Camino Express</b><br />
SMART --> <b>Redwood Line</b><br />
ACE Train --> <b>Altamont</b><br />
Amtrak San Joaquin --> <b>San Joaquin</b><br />
Amtrak Capitol Corridor --> <b>Capitol Corridor</b><br />
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Let me know what you think and offer your own suggestions. I look forward to hearing some great ideas in comments and on Twitter.<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-606182192101236052017-04-29T00:03:00.001-07:002017-04-30T20:43:32.232-07:00A new map for BART with better names<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now that BART has extended to Warm Springs/South Fremont and will soon go further south to Milpitas and San Jose, it's high time to create a new BART map, that not only includes other regional rail like Caltrain and Capitol Corridor, but <i>ALSO <b>all new station names!</b> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>BART seems to have made an unofficial policy of creating long station names, preferably with a slash. These are really long station names. Note that some of the station names I've put in the map have evolved since the <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/04/naming-train-station-should-be-writing.html">last time station names were discussed</a>.<br />
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Please help us decide if the stations should have really long names (first map), local area names with some describers, or if they should simply be named after cross streets (second map).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uRl8jtD8mp3lmvOYE5PAqMwo5PAPfxSKPNvujjm964M-QoH8zFCP2z2q-Xl78GuQXD5YTFkq9mrPVqTwNTgcTPjLpsHTEY72_rL0IucHHbIvCK2gq7Cmjosqjp2jrybMgqoYYPQcLHA/s1600/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_stationnames2bc-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uRl8jtD8mp3lmvOYE5PAqMwo5PAPfxSKPNvujjm964M-QoH8zFCP2z2q-Xl78GuQXD5YTFkq9mrPVqTwNTgcTPjLpsHTEY72_rL0IucHHbIvCK2gq7Cmjosqjp2jrybMgqoYYPQcLHA/s640/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_stationnames2bc-01.png" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximum use of hyphens, nearby shopping centers and academic institutions were employed in the station naming.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjH980yCrTgD4OGZlq4nS5F9Do_zSLfE6ntZJhp14jggk3vhg3_oJP1ITKc2Rp_3l2N_OoM_kTxh17cjXERsyMWdFN8iedgo586lq19MiwgdZIAbMLIz4gOqkYd0t1GwAv56vyJW8Wrg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-29+at+10.18.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjH980yCrTgD4OGZlq4nS5F9Do_zSLfE6ntZJhp14jggk3vhg3_oJP1ITKc2Rp_3l2N_OoM_kTxh17cjXERsyMWdFN8iedgo586lq19MiwgdZIAbMLIz4gOqkYd0t1GwAv56vyJW8Wrg/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-04-29+at+10.18.08+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cross streets could be really helpful. Who needs a town name when you could just new when streets you could walk down after arriving at the station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPj39vV5Dt2HWXZzfmI7Wms-oe8BwXSCFkzbhNGytwjE6YyHvjAYbvTvWTnML_6WdXW-Av1JM-MpEyjz5lWNwEP_ra93_GseN82Entk1fDjNyWrS-4smhdJ8TjqDL72UWuyg18S1lk_Q/s1600/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_stationnames2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPj39vV5Dt2HWXZzfmI7Wms-oe8BwXSCFkzbhNGytwjE6YyHvjAYbvTvWTnML_6WdXW-Av1JM-MpEyjz5lWNwEP_ra93_GseN82Entk1fDjNyWrS-4smhdJ8TjqDL72UWuyg18S1lk_Q/s640/ConnectOaklandBART_BayAreaRail_2017_stationnames2-01.png" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virtually all station names incorporate the closest cross streets, or the nearest two major cross streets.</td></tr>
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-60678730996508020292017-03-10T00:19:00.001-08:002017-03-12T08:23:02.966-07:00Baseball Access - get the trains close<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Oakland Athletics baseball club is still looking into where it should locate in Oakland. I<a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2017/01/baseball-access-parking-and-car-kind.html">n January we looked at car and parking access</a> at the sites under consideration. Folks, a lot of folks, get to games via transit - especially rail transit. Let's look at how the sites stack up for current transit access and possible future access.<br />
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Trains (or reliable bus service) need not be at the doorstep of the stadium. Many folks are willing to walk up to a mile, especially if the walk is pleasant. The Giants relocated to Pacific Bell Park in 2000, which is about a mile from Montgomery BART station. Having a station a bit closer, such as a half mile, is better because more folks will opt to take transit instead of driving, resulting in less highway and street traffic on game day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PfACPVyclwJssAtRZAyGbg4voN23NPIjrBgbv4Q4ULrDUuN05Qxajtl_TwCoIgR9TGtHkARcm20e80RApN9SFPg7eevIWZthBa7OYYhkUl29JgHZmAboz4DrnVXt8HfS_rg6Vxf7574/s1600/20090424bridgecharette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PfACPVyclwJssAtRZAyGbg4voN23NPIjrBgbv4Q4ULrDUuN05Qxajtl_TwCoIgR9TGtHkARcm20e80RApN9SFPg7eevIWZthBa7OYYhkUl29JgHZmAboz4DrnVXt8HfS_rg6Vxf7574/s640/20090424bridgecharette.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">If a pedestrian bridge is needed to get to the ballpark, let's make it attractive and fun. The current bridge feels like you're in a cage. Bridge shown is the Elliot Avenue Helix Bridge in Seattle. <span style="color: #252525; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Image: <a href="http://torontoist.com/2009/04/like_a_bridge_over_troubled_train_tracks/">Brenda Petroff/Torontoist</a></i></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAPofot90FPaCtqBVdEj1nBbtIZu0U_OCDJ2TKR6teYd2ck_s0mvVBWjqOvhJgk65c4Fk6tLv6QAkdoKNnzVSvulnIU1CZi1UzwKysRVeLhKbN_KihU7Q8dNTQxe661DUHEX49TH9u1A/s1600/103_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAPofot90FPaCtqBVdEj1nBbtIZu0U_OCDJ2TKR6teYd2ck_s0mvVBWjqOvhJgk65c4Fk6tLv6QAkdoKNnzVSvulnIU1CZi1UzwKysRVeLhKbN_KihU7Q8dNTQxe661DUHEX49TH9u1A/s640/103_2838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Existing "caged in" pedestrian bridge linking BART and Amtrak to the Oakland Coliseum. Image: <a href="https://phantasticphans.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/468/">Phantasicfans</a></td></tr>
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Luckily the N-Judah tracks were extended to the Giants' ballpark doorstep by the first game, so folks from San Francisco could get a direct ride, or transfer from BART. Similarly, Caltrain is only a quarter mile away. However, keep in mind that thousands of people coming from the East Bay take BART in walk to the game, even when the area was less developed.<br />
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How far, by walking distance, are the current A's sites from the nearest BART and Amtrak stations along with the nearest ferry landing?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWf8e8KEiSmtrCA7sN86Kr-M7QLorQF9An3JOTnY61WXWIidB26e6FcOn5WLQhjBrh_7H_2oxhSlZbyNVcmuz9zkMjYUj-FxuLqmCFVSD1Cqntix95lIvcmQDnjLlY1OSGbblI-I2d3c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+12.37.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWf8e8KEiSmtrCA7sN86Kr-M7QLorQF9An3JOTnY61WXWIidB26e6FcOn5WLQhjBrh_7H_2oxhSlZbyNVcmuz9zkMjYUj-FxuLqmCFVSD1Cqntix95lIvcmQDnjLlY1OSGbblI-I2d3c/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+12.37.06+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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In scoring the locations and transit, we'll weigh BART much more than Amtrak, which runs much less frequently than BART and carries fewer people. Here's how I scored transit access:<br />
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Distance from x a weighted factor:<br />
<br />
BART factor: x 85<br />
Amtrak factor: x 10<br />
Ferry factor: x 5<br />
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One way to explain the factor by average attendance per game and how folks got there. Over the past 10 years, the average game attendance has been just above 20,500. If we simplify and say 20,000, let's assume that 10,000 people arrive by car. (The parking lots hold almost 10,000 parking spaces). If 10,000 people came by transit then the scoring is factoring that 85% come by BART, 10% by Amtrak and 5% by ferry. Although this isn't likely the case currently due to no ferry being close by, it will be a reasonable proxy for a future ball park and a weighted score.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The lowest score is the most desirable. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">
Current Transit</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLXHBsmI8OOujSop4b5vcAs9uRt9G4-t0qeK5UOctyj-Vzx1cqCy3O5wHqsuQDTXFbRH6_vJsucltyKdtvSWg8c3NVWHz12pw4p9soOKF-0FrGJ_yFyeXLlJm4YqTKenzgVl3QwnqFHs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+7.00.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLXHBsmI8OOujSop4b5vcAs9uRt9G4-t0qeK5UOctyj-Vzx1cqCy3O5wHqsuQDTXFbRH6_vJsucltyKdtvSWg8c3NVWHz12pw4p9soOKF-0FrGJ_yFyeXLlJm4YqTKenzgVl3QwnqFHs/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+7.00.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what we get for scores based on today's rail transit access to future ballpark sites when only considering BART and Amtrak:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yjJlHJYDymDFmPQOQ7Sr7p-0x3pYDzC7ZB_p0weEav0NEQjsHR0N5WFUvma3u9OS8PPhaGAplunfA0e5Rbjo0XmXJQV_gwgYs2YbiNvzAf4XrvYfK3LYHURuCvNczAsv56DslNjhXwY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+8.02.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yjJlHJYDymDFmPQOQ7Sr7p-0x3pYDzC7ZB_p0weEav0NEQjsHR0N5WFUvma3u9OS8PPhaGAplunfA0e5Rbjo0XmXJQV_gwgYs2YbiNvzAf4XrvYfK3LYHURuCvNczAsv56DslNjhXwY/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+8.02.57+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Coliseum:</b> <b>29 pts</b><br />
Brooklyn Basin: 85 pts<br />
Estuary Park: 38 pts<br />
Laney College Fields: 53 pts<br />
Howard Terminal: 93 pts<br />
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Adding in the Ferry factor doesn't change much, however the Coliseum is really not a fair score being that the Oakland ferry is 6.5 miles away. Consequently, I've given a second Coliseum score with ferries that assumes a new ferry landing in San Leandro Bay about 0.9 miles away.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Coliseum: 59 pts </b>(current ferry)<b>, 28 points </b>(new ferry and ferry landing at Coliseum)<br />
Brooklyn Basin: 91 pts<br />
<b>Estuary Park: 42 pts</b><br />
<b>Laney College Fields: 60</b> <b>pts</b><br />
Howard Terminal: 95 pts<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>So the Coliseum site is clearly the best location for transit access, based on today's transit, and the likely transit for next 10 years. It's hard to beat the Coliseum's 1/4 mile walk to BART and Amtrak and its 29 point non-ferry score. Laney College Fields and Estuary Park score reasonably well due to being close to both Lake Merritt BART and the Jack London Amtrak station. Howard Terminal get's the worst score with and without ferry access with a 93 point non-ferry score. BART is 1 mile away while Amtrak is 3/4 mile away - both adding to its undesirable high score.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzcQIbJOWFy73mf_Ra_hDvckTFmkYPgmh0L7MTasDETUvDidvHqkHYfBqc2vXnUoMgFJwN5UoUBpENjtFu_JayRZ2bQrLqH8veC3jUKuMA_Nse5PcceUv3oTciQjkNUWw8Spxw6pEdzQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.59.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzcQIbJOWFy73mf_Ra_hDvckTFmkYPgmh0L7MTasDETUvDidvHqkHYfBqc2vXnUoMgFJwN5UoUBpENjtFu_JayRZ2bQrLqH8veC3jUKuMA_Nse5PcceUv3oTciQjkNUWw8Spxw6pEdzQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.59.41+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">
Transit Future</span></h3>
Based on the past 70 years, and from what I read about stadiums, they're meant to last about 50 years. Some are shorter (I'm looking at you <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/28/turner-field-final-homestand-sun-trust-park-globe-life-park-rangers/91212778/">Turner Field</a>), and some are longer (Fenway Park and Wrigley Field). What if we planned for access today, but also considered transit access in 5, 10 and 15 years, when it might get better, and you might need less parking.<br />
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For each site, the current transit or promise of future transit varies. For the Coliseum, Laney College, and Estuary Park, the transit is already good. Could it get better? We'll see in a moment. For Howard Terminal and Brooklyn Basin it's currently lacking, but it <i>might </i>get better.<br />
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What new transit could come in 5, 10 or 15 years, especially if it were prioritized, funded, politically backed and benefited folks beyond the baseball stadium area. A bus rapid transit line could come in 5 years, a streetcar in 10 and if you pressed hard, BART in 15 years.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Streetcar</span></b><br />
The current thinking is that Oakland might benefit from a <a href="http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/Oakland-Magazine/January-February-2015/Streetcars-Could-Return-to-Oakland-as-a-Broadway-Shuttle-Upgrade/">streetcar</a>. The streetcar would link classic downtown (Broadway & 12th) to Jack London Square and other points along the waterfront. A streetcar could go to all the "downtown" sites: Howard Terminal, Estuary Park, Laney College Fields and Brooklyn Basin.<br />
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While the Coliseum is far away from downtown, one could argue that Oakland could use a streetcar in many neighborhoods, including near the Coliseum. A streetcar could go up Hegenburger and 73rd to Eastmont, or up and down International. I'm not sure of how much better than buses it would be, but it's a thought.<br />
<br />
In any of these cases, the added streetcar only really adds dramatic benefit to the stadium access for Brooklyn Basin and Howard Terminal. For the others it would be a bonus. For the neighborhoods, a streetcar would greatly be a benefit to all, especially those that would have added development potential surrounding them: Estuary Park, Howard Terminal, and Brooklyn Basin.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">BART</span></b><br />
Adding BART would be a greater benefit to a stadium, even those that are near an existing BART station. The second transbay crossing is the best bet for a new BART line, or a line that will eventually lead to a 2nd Transbay Crossing. Where would such a crossing go? and would it be near any of these sites?<br />
<br />
<b>Coliseum</b><br />
It's unlikely that a new Transbay crossing would arrive at Coliseum Station, unless there was a change of heart and an airport-to-airport tube were built. This is highly unlikely and would get enough ridership to justify its construction, but it would mean a new BART station between Coliseum and, say, maybe South San Francisco.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm6aenYAmxl4BA9szyLrMWO_BmCMgINOlaXM_I4a0bb5meyeu_mHNGWJnhdP3CeW9G_mZHVl-QR1c2OIaeLsdlGoz3hzF7_HHa02lOCGGQS1IQy_jclgOUx3Gu9mQIx6ffqUA8aeVu7Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.55.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm6aenYAmxl4BA9szyLrMWO_BmCMgINOlaXM_I4a0bb5meyeu_mHNGWJnhdP3CeW9G_mZHVl-QR1c2OIaeLsdlGoz3hzF7_HHa02lOCGGQS1IQy_jclgOUx3Gu9mQIx6ffqUA8aeVu7Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.55.37+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Brooklyn Basin, Laney College Fields, and Estuary Park</b> all could have a new BART line leading to a second crossing if it passed east of Broadway. Brooklyn Basin and Laney College Fields are really out of Downtown. However if the line went through Eastlake, it would stop nearish to Laney College Fields. An Eastlake Station at Park Blvd and E. 18th St would only be half a mile from such a stadium. Estuary Park has the best chance of a new BART line passing nearby, especially if it came from the north along a street like Alice or Franklin or Madison.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SK4xLIaVQULigKPuUkV_RCV1CiwBMpNF7r6Ae3sCAyzv2nlr1XgqU2J5-Gj2jBoaV0StxwM6nW7b_3UC6JSUNmiKsQqeDOq2-d22fi897lYjgZbzGVPB0l3tzZG9_h3WhV-Bv2-acEY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.46.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SK4xLIaVQULigKPuUkV_RCV1CiwBMpNF7r6Ae3sCAyzv2nlr1XgqU2J5-Gj2jBoaV0StxwM6nW7b_3UC6JSUNmiKsQqeDOq2-d22fi897lYjgZbzGVPB0l3tzZG9_h3WhV-Bv2-acEY/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.46.23+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Howard Terminal</b>, in my eyes, has the best chance of getting the new BART 2nd Transbay line to pass nearby. The <a href="http://www.connectoakland.org/">Connect Oakland proposal </a>to bring BART under Brush St, where I-980 currently runs, directly intersects the Howard Terminal site. It would suddenly put a station at the stadium, much like today's Coliseum. The transit access score for the stadium would plummet from a 93 score to an 18 score, even better than the Coliseum's low 23 score. However, would waiting 15-20 years for such a line be worth it? I don't know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5KzWGdpsn2PQulRi-m5U7cCLl7sdt3GDVLIj9mPO-vJtN-KWibDH9z2qKxMmh7fMHVnKWZDq2RA9xrAAchRxnQHm0MbPp3RBKnhFZCpbJZks-gD7duR3Ol1-958PSrtt8aD3TQuYFCM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.39.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5KzWGdpsn2PQulRi-m5U7cCLl7sdt3GDVLIj9mPO-vJtN-KWibDH9z2qKxMmh7fMHVnKWZDq2RA9xrAAchRxnQHm0MbPp3RBKnhFZCpbJZks-gD7duR3Ol1-958PSrtt8aD3TQuYFCM/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+6.39.21+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
Here's how the scores actually stack up with and without ferry service.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZVUeMd5vL69MSEo8H7xVNaVacG2THMXTcsLsjCKmNofidJeDYKY_QwUYobYaXy9i8rvqvKVhvtLzzlaC0lVEoxM1YouYKvIxs4DVMPCQt2Oqdt6MJCHfYYRj-pLkGxBo7K4sto4e4UM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+8.21.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZVUeMd5vL69MSEo8H7xVNaVacG2THMXTcsLsjCKmNofidJeDYKY_QwUYobYaXy9i8rvqvKVhvtLzzlaC0lVEoxM1YouYKvIxs4DVMPCQt2Oqdt6MJCHfYYRj-pLkGxBo7K4sto4e4UM/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-12+at+8.21.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>With Ferry service:</i><br />
Coliseum: 34 pts<br />
Brooklyn Basin: 85 pts<br />
Estuary Park: 38 pts<br />
Laney College Fields: 55 pts<br />
<b>Howard Terminal: 20 pts</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>Without Ferry service</i><br />
Coliseum: 31 pts<br />
Brooklyn Basin: 84 pts<br />
Estuary Park: 38 pts<br />
Laney College Fields: 53 pts<br />
<b>Howard Terminal: 18 pts</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
So let's see, is waiting 10 years worth waiting for a new rail line to serve a new ballpark, or would a streetcar need to be build first? </div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-30603310741132042012017-01-31T21:01:00.002-08:002017-05-03T20:28:59.868-07:00Hitting all the bases with Anna Madrigal's Steps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A woman is on her way to work. She gets on a train at West Portal Station in San Francisco, tagging her Clipper card. She quickly reads the latest news on her quick ride to Montgomery Station - just long enough to read the headlines and look at photos of the A's World Series victory parade from the day before.<br />
<br />
Once off the train at Montgomery, she takes escalators deeper down below Market St to reach a new BART station that will take her to Oakland through the new second tube. On her way down she appreciates the echoing music through the hallways and puts a couple dollars in a guitarist's case. Reaching the platform, she arrives just in time as the platform doors and train doors open. She knows she's on the right because the sign is blinking purple next to the doors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.connect.media/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jack_london_square_ellis_partners1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://www.connect.media/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jack_london_square_ellis_partners1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack London Square Offices. Image: <a href="https://www.connect.media/oaklands-jack-london-square-office-portfolio-trades/">Connect.Media</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a quiet and pleasant ride under the bay her train makes a short stop at Alameda Point Station. She's happy she'll be getting off a the next station, Jack London Station. (She'll come back through Alameda and get dinner with her friend there on her way back.) A minute later she's getting off at Jack London Station, riding the escalators to the surface. She tags her Clipper card as she exits the station and walks three blocks to her job, ready to begin her new day.<br />
<br />
The above story is possible if, and only if, we build a second rail crossing under the bay (or over). Let's get started.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Today we look at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_City">Anna Madrigal</a>'s Steps</b> <b>option that reaches <i>both </i>Mission Bay <i>and </i>the Financial and Transbay districts</b>. This, the third of four in our series on San Francisco Transbay Alignment choices, which will be followed by a look at Oakland. Previously we have presented two options for <b>new rail into Downtown San Francisco</b>: the <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/analyzing-transbay-alignments-part-i.html">Lindsay Boxer Discovery</a>, and <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/keep-it-simple-with-midges-delight-part.html">Midge's Delight</a> options with their distinctive BART lines up Fifth St and Howard St respectively plus Caltrain through Mission Bay via Third St and Townsend respectively.<br />
<br />
Here we have the alignment that get's you nearly everywhere you want to be and where folks work or live:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mission Bay</li>
<li>South SoMa/South Beach</li>
<li>Transbay District</li>
<li>Financial District</li>
<li>Union Square</li>
</ul>
<div>
It also creates great seamless connections between BART, Caltrain and Muni Metro - i.e. short transfers that prioritize you getting where you want to go quickly, comfortably, intuitively and hopefully without a headache. </div>
<br />
The Caltrain/HSR DTX line follows its planned path up 7th Street, Townsend Street and 2nd Street. In a second phase, a turnback loop is built to increase capacity of the Transbay Transit Center<i>. </i>This tees up an eventual crossing to Oakland. The BART line from Oakland would first briefly pass through Mission Bay, then follow 3rd Street in South SoMa. From 3rd & Brannan, it would shift to 2nd Street to stop at the Transbay Center and Montgomery BART. Finally it would turn west down Post to reach Geary in the Western Addition.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFDhe4WOF4B313kb-oBb0mukMU3hIA6GNorwqgxJQXBYJ32AwZP4TVvptLSflBdnyc3NvGGhtk4D_XGkewhzCb9Wa1O5ktenfxJFiDiYQ_PVSH38jXDSXzk9OJZth32bnCQvZiVzkkDc/s1600/Mission+Rock+BART-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFDhe4WOF4B313kb-oBb0mukMU3hIA6GNorwqgxJQXBYJ32AwZP4TVvptLSflBdnyc3NvGGhtk4D_XGkewhzCb9Wa1O5ktenfxJFiDiYQ_PVSH38jXDSXzk9OJZth32bnCQvZiVzkkDc/s640/Mission+Rock+BART-01.png" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south from Third St at the planned Mission Rock development (top), Mission Creek (center), and AT&T Park (left). The new BART line (blue) would follow Terry Francois then up Third Street. King Street crosses Third with Muni Metro service (orange). Image: <a href="http://www.missionrock.com/">Mission Rock</a> via <a href="http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/drb/2016/1205Mission-Rock-IntroductoryEx.pdf">BCDC (pdf) </a>and Brian Stokle (lines)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Madrigal's Steps option would include:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>more BART stations (3 to 4); </li>
<li>build a somewhat longer 1.6 mile BART tunnel, compared to 1.5 miles (Lindsay Boxer), and twice as far as the 0.8 miles of Midge's Delight. </li>
<li>Unlike the other two options, Madrigal's Steps <b>gets folks directly to <i>both </i>the Financial District and Mission Bay.</b></li>
<li>A Caltrain loop that makes the Transbay Transit Center a through station - not a terminal station - that increases its train and passenger capacity.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "pt serif"; font-style: italic;"><b>Capacity difference between a TERMINAL and a THROUGH station:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">The Transbay Transit Center is currently designed to open as a terminal station, that could be converted to a through station. A terminal station is literally the end of the line. This means that <b>trains do not pass through but instead have to pull in and pull out of the station.</b> For every one train, two movements are needed – one entering and one leaving the station. This only increases the complexity of managing the station.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Think of a driveway at a home: a circle driveway vs. a standard straight one with a garage. Imagine you're having a party and you invite lots of people over. Luckily you have a driveway that can hold 6 cars (in addition to the 2 in your garage). Friends 1 and 2 arrive early and park in front of the garage. They want to leave early, but Friends 3 and 4, who arrived later and plan to leave late, have blocked them in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: "pt" serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>The only way for Friends 1 and 2 to have avoided the problem (if street parking is not an option) is for them to have backed out before Friends 3 and 4 arrived, which means Friends 3 and 4 have to wait to park in the driveway or arrive later than they wanted to.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: "pt" serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: "pt" serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>A circle driveway would have allowed Friends 1 and 2 to arrive early and leave early. Meanwhile Friends 3 and 4 could arrive later and leave later knowing they wouldn't block Friends 1 and 2, and in fact leave a space or two for Friends 5 and 6 who want to stay the night.</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CLoV0TZUvJW1pc0oORLK9rrXNV1maz29zpRZiOY8pze835Ge3NTlggTmVX8VPPO2c_iBTuvfzp7DiYwA9bSbrUJx5o73l3p5LIVgHAQLq3XT6Ys39RWN1QVvMJlANgNzdwa7_LBotF0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-31+at+9.01.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CLoV0TZUvJW1pc0oORLK9rrXNV1maz29zpRZiOY8pze835Ge3NTlggTmVX8VPPO2c_iBTuvfzp7DiYwA9bSbrUJx5o73l3p5LIVgHAQLq3XT6Ys39RWN1QVvMJlANgNzdwa7_LBotF0/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-31+at+9.01.45+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south on Third Street as it crosses King St. AT&T Park is on the far left corner. A station would go here in the Madrigal's Steps option. Image: Google Streetview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As noted before, the<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "vollkorn";"> options will be names of people. In San Francisco they are names of fictitious characters from stories that took place in San Francisco. Also, the orientation of the map has east at the top, "looking" to Oakland.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b><br />
(see map below)</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART</li>
<ul>
<li>Arrives under the bay at Pier 54 running north along Terry Francois Blvd. </li>
<li>Runs under 3rd St between Mission Creek and South Park</li>
<li>Turns slightly northeast to reach 2nd Street via Hawthorne St. </li>
<li>Finally turns west from 2nd St to Post St </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Caltrain/HSR </span></li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.bayrailalliance.org/caltrain_dtx">Downtown Extension DTX </a>follows the Pennsylvania and 7th Street alignment from Potrero Hill to SoMa.</li>
<li>Continues under <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">Townsend St</a>, then turns north up 2nd Street to the Transbay Center</li>
<li>Continues east out of the Center turning south to loop back to Townsend via Embarcadero. </li>
<li>Future extension of Caltrain and HSR tracks under the bay could be added later, paralleling the 2nd BART tube's alignment or taking a separate path.</li>
</ul>
<li>Muni</li>
<ul>
<li>Operates largely as today</li>
<li>Central Subway extended to North Beach and later to Fisherman's Wharf</li>
<li>Optional Geary St Muni Metro could loop around Transbay Transit Center and then turn back southwest along Folsom back to the Mission. The route could be all underground or a combination of surface and underground rail.</li>
<li>Optional extension of N-Judah Mission Bay line further west to Division Street.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0wo2e_MifPBjWUFsKJ-KbvJO1s1uXIB6sTVSrmMNhxyM_uS4ZtrE3WQ58MNpuvn6BnB8RW8D9uHSPPfdtrmxwf06-vM5QKaMuXweZjd2NlA7DBT0qM-3_cMDqmL_xByORUoCGJrz6rc/s1600/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_Madrigal_2ndPost-01Spear-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0wo2e_MifPBjWUFsKJ-KbvJO1s1uXIB6sTVSrmMNhxyM_uS4ZtrE3WQ58MNpuvn6BnB8RW8D9uHSPPfdtrmxwf06-vM5QKaMuXweZjd2NlA7DBT0qM-3_cMDqmL_xByORUoCGJrz6rc/s640/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_Madrigal_2ndPost-01Spear-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Madrigal's Steps option. Source: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b>Mission Rock Station </b>(Optional) at Terry Francois: The station on Terry Francois between Mission Rock St and Long Bridge St provides great access to planned dense <a href="http://www.missionrock.com/index.html">Mission Rock development</a> in Mission Bay. </li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Rock will be home to 1500 new rental units, and 11,000 jobs. </li>
<li>The station would offer access to the two nearby sporting venues: AT&T Park and the future Chase Center Warriors Arena. </li>
<li>In addition the T-Third line is a short walk across the Mission Rock development. </li>
<li>Either the 3rd and Townsend station or Mission Rock station would be built initially with the new Transbay Crossing. Several years later the second station would be built as an infill station.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufG8i0apVPgmSRDyP0HZHSJRTK58HdDV5PlOuO7UP2NHsbLXhTQ1BOyx2Qqaj0CUb9V5SNdxD7BX3AfB5Tr4XS-U-5xwyk74fI6lvu2G8K9m3DE5TfAoMugy42c4TsCRciSEjegbLprc/s1600/Mission_rock7.0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufG8i0apVPgmSRDyP0HZHSJRTK58HdDV5PlOuO7UP2NHsbLXhTQ1BOyx2Qqaj0CUb9V5SNdxD7BX3AfB5Tr4XS-U-5xwyk74fI6lvu2G8K9m3DE5TfAoMugy42c4TsCRciSEjegbLprc/s640/Mission_rock7.0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest on Terry Francois at Pier 48. A BART station here would run under Terry Francois here and only be a 1 minute walk to the Transbay Transit Center in a pedestrian tunnel. Image: Mission Rock via Curbed SF</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li><b>Third and Townsend Station </b>(under 3rd Street and at the doorstep of AT&T Park) would provide access to the growing <a href="http://sf-planning.org/central-soma-plan">Central SoMa </a>District in addition to AT&T Park and other points in SoMa and South Beach. In addition, transfers to the N-Judah and the T-Third, would only be about a block away. (see below for street examples)</li>
<li><b>Mission Transbay Station </b>(under 2nd Street) would be the new station that connects to both the new Transbay Transit Center with its train and bus stops (Caltrain, AC Transit, SamTrans, HSR), plus shopping (see below). A 230' long pedestrian tunnel under Minna St would link the new BART station with the Transbay Center. A 175' long pedestrian tunnel would link the new BART station to the Montgomery BART station. Mission Transbay Station would also double as a link (~1,100') between the Transbay Center and Montgomery St Station at Market St. In effect, the new Mission Transbay Station would create a mega transit hub that would include:</li>
<ul>
<li>4-5 BART lines</li>
<li>Caltrain, possibly Capitol Corridor and HSR rail service</li>
<li>Muni Metro service throughout San Francisco</li>
<li>Bus service to San Francisco, Marin, East Bay and Peninsula</li>
</ul>
<li>Similar to the other two proposals, a <b>Union Square Station,</b> this time on Post St, would serve the Union Square shopping district and neighboring Upper Tenderloin while also connecting to the T-Third (Central Subway) via a block long pedestrian tunnel (300'), and to Powell St Station where BART & Muni Metro stop.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBj3HE7uAzX7DsIANjqx0ak6F_ZY015d92DLUp8JUDMD5kDK-XfJGxCoTPjYiVIeAorJMbad3S75MxH9CdsB39JPUqtF60g7bLLAKgg-vSpIk-EOCbMNmGMYMZ8SQ6FJUHtNNK7Dk6Kc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-26+at+10.39.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBj3HE7uAzX7DsIANjqx0ak6F_ZY015d92DLUp8JUDMD5kDK-XfJGxCoTPjYiVIeAorJMbad3S75MxH9CdsB39JPUqtF60g7bLLAKgg-vSpIk-EOCbMNmGMYMZ8SQ6FJUHtNNK7Dk6Kc/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-26+at+10.39.36+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future hotel at the corner of Townsend and 3rd St</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42nDPPOKkPMvAXmrAtUn6R3YniF-cpcISVAuHK6-4fHfaevo3rUzaYYwv9RAw5QXTtAcbucLx_VZDLhYYNmjRESLWA3f0SPLxRPIT1MN7vvAO9rxk3-X19cRR9fhT6cd7fEvU9aut4-Y/s1600/2ndSt+Station+Birds+Eye-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42nDPPOKkPMvAXmrAtUn6R3YniF-cpcISVAuHK6-4fHfaevo3rUzaYYwv9RAw5QXTtAcbucLx_VZDLhYYNmjRESLWA3f0SPLxRPIT1MN7vvAO9rxk3-X19cRR9fhT6cd7fEvU9aut4-Y/s640/2ndSt+Station+Birds+Eye-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission Transbay BART Station with transfer connections to Transbay Transit Center (red) and Montgomery BART & Muni Station (top blue). All would combine to become a central Transbay Montgomery Hub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Caltrain / HSR</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b>16th St Potrero Hill Station (</b>optional) could be added as an infill station. Such a station would let people coming from the Mission better access Caltrain and would spread out the demand for Mission Bay employees to two stations. </li>
<li>The current Downtown Extension calls for a Fourth and Townsend Station, under Townsend and between 4th and 5th streets. However, with a new BART tube and its first San Francisco station at <b><i>Third St </i>and Townsend,</b> <i>moving the Caltrain station one block east of its planned location would make for a better connection between the two lines</i>, benefiting passengers transferring from BART to Caltrain. The station would still connect to the existing 4th & King Caltrain station if that remains operational. A Third & Townsend Station would have all the benefits of a 4th & Townsend station:</li>
<ul>
<li>Close proximity to AT&T Park</li>
<li>Planned growth area in the <b>Central SoMa plan</b>. </li>
<li>New Chase Center Warriors Arena would be a short walk away. </li>
<li>Transfers to Muni T-Third and the N-Judah would be important.</li>
<li>PLUS a direct seamless connection to the new BART line.</li>
</ul>
<li><b>Transbay Transit Center</b>: as planned this station will very soon provide a much improved bus station for access primarily from the East Bay, but also for passengers on buses from Marin, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties in a addition to Muni bus service from San Francisco. In the medium long term, once DTX is built, the Transbay Center will offer rail access into the heart of Downtown San Francisco with trains coming from the Peninsula, San Jose, as well as Fresno and eventually Los Angeles. </li>
<li>A 900' long <b>pedestrian tunnel under Beale Street</b> would link the Transbay Center from its east end to the BART/Muni Embarcadero Station, allowing Caltrain to BART or Muni transfers. At 900 feet, the tunnel is about the same length of a football field. Just underground. </li>
<ul>
<li>With the new BART station under 2nd Street, as mentioned earlier, a stronger connection between BART and Caltrain/HSR would exist via a pedestrian tunnel under Minna Street link the new BART Mission Transbay Station to the Transbay Center. That new BART station's concourse would act as a second link to the Market Street BART and Muni lines - in this case, linking to Montgomery St station.</li>
<li>Having the concourse over the Mission Transbay Station act as a pedestrian link will make this transfer much more active, safe and preferable, while also acting as the new station's concourse. </li>
<li>Having two pedestrian tunnel links from the Transbay Transit Center will help spread out high transfer demand on the tunnel.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXbs_Sp0olny4U7R74vS1ColhD7cJPbeH6jYGIBnVghw9Fz-uUhCniQy7iZd2V44uRHHnXrk2vhBAYOzEPGQUb7djRg2NoeT_RX4DDs_xNrPzDLJuxgaIRxrR6UT1EeP4DAIhbIV0vWk/s1600/2nd+St+and+Transbay+birdseye-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXbs_Sp0olny4U7R74vS1ColhD7cJPbeH6jYGIBnVghw9Fz-uUhCniQy7iZd2V44uRHHnXrk2vhBAYOzEPGQUb7djRg2NoeT_RX4DDs_xNrPzDLJuxgaIRxrR6UT1EeP4DAIhbIV0vWk/s640/2nd+St+and+Transbay+birdseye-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
The Transbay District will have the new Transbay Transit Center with Caltrain and High Speed Rail. It will connect to the Embarcadero BART and Muni Metro station. Adding the 2nd Transbay BART station under 2nd Street will create a second connection, and create a mega regional rail hub at the regions largest job center.</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Original image: Steelblue. Line work: Brian Stokle</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33EFGeGH5-RpJ5TKRaYp0CdhyphenhyphentBXqDVqXtOu3ZvjuqR-bqmEg6EGu-Lyvwr_z6rqXOptLeaE456JKY49vlQ5QFb-zKw5ZdKExsEsjDCInlr4iH8M2z2uS8MxJ857l_Mp9-XsfUwFV_7A/s1600/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_Madrigal_2ndPost-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33EFGeGH5-RpJ5TKRaYp0CdhyphenhyphentBXqDVqXtOu3ZvjuqR-bqmEg6EGu-Lyvwr_z6rqXOptLeaE456JKY49vlQ5QFb-zKw5ZdKExsEsjDCInlr4iH8M2z2uS8MxJ857l_Mp9-XsfUwFV_7A/s640/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_Madrigal_2ndPost-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdseye view showing how the new BART line would create new stations at Mission & 2nd, and at Union Square at Stockton and Post. You can see how the two new stations each tie into two other stations.<br />
Transbay Mission: ties into BART & Muni Metro (Montgomery), and Caltrain/HSR (Transbay Center)<br />
Union Square Mason St: ties into Muni T line (Union Sq /Market St), and BART (Powell St)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The <b>Cons</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The new BART line<b> is longer </b>than the two previously presented options<b>. </b></li>
<ul>
<li>Making a longer tunnel under a built city will cost more due to its length.</li>
<li>However, the <b>major cost in a subway system is actually its stations</b>. This plan calls for more stations, but they will provide more access and a better transit system, leading to more ridership. One way to alleviate initial high costs would be to not build one of the two Mission Bay stations, likely the Mission Rock Station. Embarcadero Station was built several years after BART opened, and helped defer the costs of a new station for a few years. The same could be done here.</li>
</ul>
<li>Parts of the alignment would require going under private property, principally where the BART tunnel shifts from Third to Hawthorne and from Hawthorne to Second Street. At a distance of 2,100 feet (0.4 miles), this would be technically easy for engineering, but possibly complicated from an <b>easement cost and approvals </b>point of view, and could be difficult passing under one mid-rise building.</li>
<ul>
<li>The segment between Third and Hawthorne from South Park St to Harrison St would pass deeply, under short 1 to 2 story buildings.</li>
<li>The segment between Hawthorne to Second Street roughly from Folsom to Minna is more tricky. Although the tunnel here would be quite deep (minimum 80' deep, but possibly down to 120' deep), it would pass under buildings ranging 3 to 11 stories in height. Apart from one 11 story building, all the other buildings are 3 to 6 stories in height.</li>
</ul>
<li>If rail is to pass <i>through </i>the Transbay Center on both ends, building the tunnel <i>east</i> will require removal of some tall buildings, assuming the tunnel is for both Caltrain and High Speed Rail. A Caltrain-only tunnel could turn more sharply and avoid most, if not all buildings.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>The Pros</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The new BART line<b> provides direct access to the Financial District </b>with the Mission Transbay Station. With a station inside the neighborhood with the greatest concentration of current and still growing BART ridership, where the highest concentration of employment exists, the Madrigal Steps option means that passenger demand on the first Transbay Tube (TB1) will likely go down, with a significant portion switching to the new BART service.</li>
<li>BART has three to four new stations, two of which would become major transportation hubs:</li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Transbay Station - <b>Transbay Montgomery Hub</b></li>
<ul>
<li>250 foot walk to Transbay Transit Center</li>
<li>150 foot walk to Montgomery BART</li>
</ul>
<li>Union Square / Powell St Station - <b>Union Square Powell Hub</b></li>
<ul>
<li>300 foot walk to Muni Union Sq / Market St Station (T-Third)</li>
<li>1,075 foot walk to Powell BART & Muni</li>
</ul>
<li>3rd & King / Mission Bay</li>
<ul>
<li>50 foot walk to 4th & Townsend Station (Caltrain)</li>
<li>450 foot walk on street to 2nd St Muni Station (N-Judah)</li>
<li>950 foot walk on street to 4th & King Muni Station (T-Third)</li>
</ul>
<li>Mission Rock </li>
<ul>
<li>700 foot walk on street to Mission Rock Station (T-Third)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Having different phasing options for DTX and the Caltrain loop allows for the projects proceed while adapting to availability of funds and building when a service is needed like a Caltrain/HSR crossing to to Oakland. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7bmVOoTI8VWKuqoobS7HZUDRQMXg_XMCqvltVTv51LNXfHliEOGWahFDriXBl-3bVGZub-LLWhvL8aXfA1QdYflmTC5q04UIH5RLHvD-pshMVACp1HqKXIQ6nndwxIeiyjiht5NCGSU/s1600/UnionSquare_Post_BART-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7bmVOoTI8VWKuqoobS7HZUDRQMXg_XMCqvltVTv51LNXfHliEOGWahFDriXBl-3bVGZub-LLWhvL8aXfA1QdYflmTC5q04UIH5RLHvD-pshMVACp1HqKXIQ6nndwxIeiyjiht5NCGSU/s640/UnionSquare_Post_BART-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Union Square Powell Transportation Hub. New BART station at Union Square with short transfer to Muni T-Third line. Image: WestinStFrancis & Brian Stokle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrJmejEZRNz82x_Sq4TVxhx825zmgfBlnRzWgcTZPsi438PGL2CXc4xEwfE9mIcl0KuF9ec0_nO2BcAbYTiEzr5R4jXV5wdhGN0vOmLC0Ood-bB2b1IYsyO1rsqDWNfXDBSBsp2jkBoI/s1600/2nd+and+Mission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrJmejEZRNz82x_Sq4TVxhx825zmgfBlnRzWgcTZPsi438PGL2CXc4xEwfE9mIcl0KuF9ec0_nO2BcAbYTiEzr5R4jXV5wdhGN0vOmLC0Ood-bB2b1IYsyO1rsqDWNfXDBSBsp2jkBoI/s640/2nd+and+Mission.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd and Mission where a new Mission Transbay BART station would be located. Source: <a href="http://hollywoodlocations.com/locations/101-2nd-street/">HollywoodLocations.com</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b>Phasing</b></div>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Downtown Extension</b> (DTX) Caltrain to Transbay Transit Center</li>
<li><b>Two-bore crossing</b> with <b>BART</b> could come next. </li>
<li><b>Caltrain DTX loop </b>on Embarcadero and Townsend, </li>
<li><b>Caltrain/HSR Crossing </b>to Oakland </li>
</ol>
Other San Francisco projects would be added simultaneous to these projects.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>In Summary</b></div>
</div>
<div>
This option has virtually everything that the city and its passengers want.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART access to Mission Bay </li>
<li>Caltrain to Downtown San Francisco</li>
<li>A second BART tube to Downtown San Francisco to reduce high ridership demand and create a redundant BART line.</li>
<li>A Caltrain to BART transfer in <i>two </i>locations - most importantly at the Transbay Center.</li>
<li>A rail line to Geary</li>
<li>All-night train service without forcing many to transfer far. </li>
</ul>
Connections between rail systems is extremely easy, stops where highest demand currently exists, and would require short pedestrian tunnels compared to any other options. The main downside of the option is that it would require passing under several medium height buildings. In addition the option provides a Financial District station for the 2nd BART line, which would greatly reduce crowding on the existing line.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Overall qualitative score: 4.5 / 5</b></div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-14253001475304565552017-01-21T01:39:00.000-08:002017-01-25T17:08:20.267-08:00Baseball access - the parking and car kind<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Oakland Athletics are considering building a new stadium in Oakland. Where it will go depends on how it is financed and how folks will get to the stadium. Let's look at access.<br />
<br />
Sporting events are big events that draw people from an entire region. That means a new A's stadium needs to provide access for folks from Oakland, Concord, Fremont, Richmond, Livermore, Vallejo, and even San Francisco and San Jose. There are two primary ways folks get to a sport stadium: by car or by transit. Cars need parking within a short-ish walking distance, and transit needs to be a short-ish walking distance as well, but can be a bit farther - hey you're going to a great game, it's worth a nice walk.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGovW9kQkQrVT8oA7V67vFV2vrO04FDY7cBoVB3gRBgxqb2SsmjssGfCPBkkt5j7XnOEFxHscF1wwvQJFvticL4V7TtnrLFL5CGtfkg908gO4kOosDA6B_UoSff-aneaP6F-7wrN9ymsA/s1600/OriolePark_CamdenYards_Parking1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGovW9kQkQrVT8oA7V67vFV2vrO04FDY7cBoVB3gRBgxqb2SsmjssGfCPBkkt5j7XnOEFxHscF1wwvQJFvticL4V7TtnrLFL5CGtfkg908gO4kOosDA6B_UoSff-aneaP6F-7wrN9ymsA/s640/OriolePark_CamdenYards_Parking1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camden Yards stadium in Baltimore, with parking lot. Source:Google Streetview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's look at how several of the ballpark sites rate on access. Today we'll look at auto access.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sites</span></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Coliseum</li>
<li>Brooklyn Basin</li>
<li>Laney College Fields</li>
<li>Estuary Park</li>
<li>Howard Terminal</li>
</ul>
Parking requires either lots or fields surrounding or close to a stadium, or a series of parking garages. We'll look at both what is available today, but also what would be available in the longer term, especially considering the team will likely finance their stadium in part through developing the area surrounding the stadium.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Site acreage</span></b><br />
Coliseum: 100+ acres without Raiders, ~40 with Raiders<br />
Brooklyn Basin: 23 acres<br />
Laney College Fields: 17 acres<br />
Estuary Park: 11 acres<br />
Howard Terminal: 50 acres<br />
<br />
If we figure the stadium will take up about 9 acres, that leaves little room for development AND parking lots on the site itself for Laney College, Estuary Park, and Brooklyn Basin. That said, areas surrounding both Laney and Estuary could easily have parking structures added to them, especially the Laney College parking lot west of the ballpark site.<br />
<br />
However, from a purely parking lot perspective, it's <b>Howard Terminal and Coliseum </b>that provide <b>ample parking and development opportunity</b> from an acreage point of view.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Freeway Access</span></b><br />
The key way to get to a stadium by car for most people is by freeway. You also need to get from the freeway to the stadium via off and on ramps plus a few streets. The key piece is the freeway on/off-ramps. Let's look at how many freeway on and off ramp sets are at each site.<br />
<br />
We'll count one ramp set as two off-ramps, one in each direction, plus two on-ramps in each direction. We'll only count ramp sets that are relatively close to the stadium site and have street access.<br />
<br />
Coliseum: 2.0<br />
Brooklyn Basin:<br />
Laney College Fields: 1.5 (3.5 if you include I-580)<br />
Estuary Park: 1.75 but could be boosted to 2.0<br />
Howard Terminal: 3.0<br />
<br />
The Coliseum has two full ramp sets, one at Hegenberger, the other at 66th Ave. I-580 is beyond the 2-mile radius of the stadium. The ramps and surrounding streets are designed for the high volumes of major sporting and concert events.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-u4uK49z1IEtI8mAKy8uud6h5B80VoqrZOfH-g5Ay8BfGiWpuvLXYHDE-Mort4iH3c26D6Gi9irbAv6ld9UT4V_v3EVf3jTiDqIeAz3gddP2K6lm1eDXdezvRE6BOSDqbZ5NLjOTDiA/s1600/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Coliseum-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-u4uK49z1IEtI8mAKy8uud6h5B80VoqrZOfH-g5Ay8BfGiWpuvLXYHDE-Mort4iH3c26D6Gi9irbAv6ld9UT4V_v3EVf3jTiDqIeAz3gddP2K6lm1eDXdezvRE6BOSDqbZ5NLjOTDiA/s640/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Coliseum-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Brooklyn Basin is limited with its shoreline site. However, I-580 get's within the 2-mile radius of the stadium using Park Blvd and 5th Ave to access the park. Unfortunately there are few freeway ramps close to the stadium (unlike Coliseum), and some are not designed for high volume traffic, and may not be up to current interstate standards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w9idsctuoHCwlA9ZA_anbmOURsRQdhY8DNDJB4HI1NZTp3-2hMGx35FSdahyphenhyphenwvIYQK4RXt31a4lEWQqZxYtKAi_ui5xghlWmTFfBEmKb0FqRadMZEWqIRGt3YrE7yu8Bcyy3nPPHh8M/s1600/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Brooklyn-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w9idsctuoHCwlA9ZA_anbmOURsRQdhY8DNDJB4HI1NZTp3-2hMGx35FSdahyphenhyphenwvIYQK4RXt31a4lEWQqZxYtKAi_ui5xghlWmTFfBEmKb0FqRadMZEWqIRGt3YrE7yu8Bcyy3nPPHh8M/s640/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Brooklyn-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMitYQw8tSZtBvHIPnzD6e2hTWCGGu2fRuijldor1UWOuF1-z8hhdU79ISk8OtMqWJkSO2V1oRKoacdG0X5LvQ5CzmbEK3WvGVjbIEPXCRo1_YdFNi9YmnOE8fnLK12fCgXGjnn6JsQWo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.13.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMitYQw8tSZtBvHIPnzD6e2hTWCGGu2fRuijldor1UWOuF1-z8hhdU79ISk8OtMqWJkSO2V1oRKoacdG0X5LvQ5CzmbEK3WvGVjbIEPXCRo1_YdFNi9YmnOE8fnLK12fCgXGjnn6JsQWo/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.13.22+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embarcadero and 10th Ave onramp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRQ-CkBov-Ex6rjKZq5A1RshGCQPO3nmHhxtRHsvqxZFgMUnqJihdz05_my0b0ndhiYzUbKEnzYipKMtoQP5O6n1XcDlY1nF7VztvlgVXCOQ-U1UDoTSsnR8RGVvJBbA4Mh5Ir8QuBX0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.17.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRQ-CkBov-Ex6rjKZq5A1RshGCQPO3nmHhxtRHsvqxZFgMUnqJihdz05_my0b0ndhiYzUbKEnzYipKMtoQP5O6n1XcDlY1nF7VztvlgVXCOQ-U1UDoTSsnR8RGVvJBbA4Mh5Ir8QuBX0/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.17.32+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embarcadero and 10th Ave onramp. Source: Google Streetview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Estuary Park is similarly limited but it is located closer to the Oak and Jackson St ramps which can handle more traffic due to accessing these wider streets. Some adaptation to street in Jack London, south of I-880 would be necessary, and not necessarily favored by residents in the area. Interestingly the Park Blvd exit is just beyond the 2 mile radius. However, nearby freeway access is better than Brooklyn Basin.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-yDm28vqL46d8ePQxpZAyHcp-1N43MbrW6cQve8H3bBihYx4iuHRPg8M5FQ5lojH7eaYdhgPOZ40VgJTYMvKOjPU-rPw7FUje8mqV5j8VWCBT6TM4h23Ld1XgaxXIGOXNlVLTyvPID0/s1600/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Estuary-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-yDm28vqL46d8ePQxpZAyHcp-1N43MbrW6cQve8H3bBihYx4iuHRPg8M5FQ5lojH7eaYdhgPOZ40VgJTYMvKOjPU-rPw7FUje8mqV5j8VWCBT6TM4h23Ld1XgaxXIGOXNlVLTyvPID0/s640/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Estuary-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Lane College Fields only have 1.5 ramp sets nearby but 3.5 if you count the I-580 access. The Jackson and Oak ramps, plus Broadway (not shown) provides access to and from the north and south. Similar to Brooklyn Basin and Estuary, street access from the south and east would come from Park Blvd and 5th Ave. Access from the west and north would come from 7th St.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjrI0yjjXv6XHYK6y8X3Ydb60H4EbOy-sbEV6n2FgIWgTL0w7HQneJna_l29v4U_0Zokwlolf36VhhrboxZVvqTzrVT0qPYW8RFIKTjvKdVXxbsI9iMAhaGO2mm1j1zwRdJ9zV_h6USg/s1600/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Laney-02-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjrI0yjjXv6XHYK6y8X3Ydb60H4EbOy-sbEV6n2FgIWgTL0w7HQneJna_l29v4U_0Zokwlolf36VhhrboxZVvqTzrVT0qPYW8RFIKTjvKdVXxbsI9iMAhaGO2mm1j1zwRdJ9zV_h6USg/s640/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Laney-02-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Howard Terminal has the best current freeway access with ramp sets from I-880/I-80 to points north and west. I-980/24 provides access to points north and northeast. Finally I-880 south offers access to points south and southeast. The streets in the area are sufficiently sized, especially Market Street for event parking traffic. The main challenge with the site is the railroad along Embarcadero West, which would cause headaches if trains passed through while large volumes of cars arrived or left the site.<br />
<br />
A possible solution to the rail conflict would be to underground the railroad tracks (which would help reduce pedestrian danger of getting hit by a train), and/or raise the elevation of Howard Terminal significantly enough that a bridge could go over the tracks at Market Street and Martin Luther King Way for example.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21VGDYYbyJjw8MlCU8GYNcxgNdv2Qm4CapHQ3i2BBIiWbhREz9L1rlVZtO4V1zKakAlXmYsaWPmD8Swikd3lilCDNifBuoL1hFSNaaKTgeEG4r4KFMqFdRhn2amegyFX1Cj9Rx-0vzDU/s1600/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Howard+Terminal-01-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21VGDYYbyJjw8MlCU8GYNcxgNdv2Qm4CapHQ3i2BBIiWbhREz9L1rlVZtO4V1zKakAlXmYsaWPmD8Swikd3lilCDNifBuoL1hFSNaaKTgeEG4r4KFMqFdRhn2amegyFX1Cj9Rx-0vzDU/s640/Study+Area+Map_OaklandA%2527s+Howard+Terminal-01-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Auto Access Score</span></b><br />
When you combine the ramp set values (20 x ramp score), and parking capacity (acreage), you get a basic value. The higher the better. Please note that these numbers are very back of the envelope and have several subjecting elements to them. I'm open to refining the scoring system, but at least this is a start.<br />
<br />
<b>Coliseum without Raiders Stadium Parking:</b> 100 + (2.0 *20) = <b>140</b><br />
Coliseum with Raiders Stadium Parking: 40 + (2.0 *20) = 80<br />
Brooklyn Basin: 23 + (0.75*20) = 37<br />
Laney College Fields: 17 + (1.5*20) = 47 OR 17 + (3.5 *20) = 87 if I-580 included<br />
Estuary Park: 11 + (1.75 * 20) = 46<br />
<b>Howard Terminal:</b> 50 + (3.0 * 20) <b>110</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYT7Ye8jkKVvpNfhNZFmGe2TI3B6TWW-yqSKCpkgTn-LSsemoKq8mT5ewU8okxxLOnYubDRv1de8IBjMufUNbKkVsssWDfZSzXr3sYxiHWTSOTU7fhH-7x5UuMFPX8IQV57BZxUBczM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.52.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYT7Ye8jkKVvpNfhNZFmGe2TI3B6TWW-yqSKCpkgTn-LSsemoKq8mT5ewU8okxxLOnYubDRv1de8IBjMufUNbKkVsssWDfZSzXr3sYxiHWTSOTU7fhH-7x5UuMFPX8IQV57BZxUBczM/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-21+at+1.52.12+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rendering of a possible Howard Terminal Oakland Athletics Ballpark. Source: Downtown Oakland Specific Plan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Parking Future</span></b><br />
When we factor in time, we can use AT&T Park as a model, where vast areas of parking lots surrounded the stadium when it opened. As development filled in the land, people learned to get to the stadium by transit, and some garages opened where new office complexes were built (I'm looking at you UCSF). Oakland could do the same at the Howard Terminal and Coliseum sites.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the opportunity to develop land from parking lots is much more limited at Estuary Park, Laney College and Brooklyn Basin. Estuary has a highly constrained site surround by primarily already developed private land. Brooklyn Basin appears to already be under construction - at least at its larger site. The Laney site is not so large either, but if the college administrative buildings south of the proposed site are combined with the large parking lots to the west, there could be a chance for some development, but would likely have more complicated arrangements or land swaps.<br />
<br />
In the end it appears that from a parking and an access point of view, the Howard Terminal and Coliseum sites are the best.<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-21465074528902172302016-12-30T17:25:00.000-08:002016-12-31T10:12:52.801-08:00Keep it Simple with Midge's Delight: Part 2 Analyzing the Transbay Alignments <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week we looked at the <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/analyzing-transbay-alignments-part-i.html">Lindsay Boxer Discovery option</a>, with its distinctive BART line up Fifth St past many new developments. Today we look at the simplest option for San Francisco in our series on Transbay Alignment choices.<br />
<br />
Here we have the shortest BART alignment possible, while the Caltrain/HSR DTX line follows the already environmentally approved path up Townsend and 2nd Street. The only "flourish" is calling for a 4-bore tunnel. The four tracks would include two BART tracks plus two Caltrain/HSR tracks east between Howard and Mission Streets out of the Transbay Transit Center.<br />
<br />
The simplicity? This option would include the fewest new downtown BART stations (2 instead of 3 or 4); build the shortest BART tunnel (only 0.8 miles to Market St unlike Lindsay Boxer's 1.5 miles). Yet Midge's Delight gets folks to the Financial District directly, and a to Mission Bay directly via Caltrain or with a single transfer if from BART.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFkmLw5Q94zBIx_a_l2ThQHJfF5UlxHgXNygbpx3us62pVwN7pO1RAm8yhHjZAI7AIT-wsWrIIOoi52mcAk1J3F1G324OpOp4u6HYsns2Yduc463LMNT_q_YIPGUYpVC7NlV3YJ5QBYs/s1600/IMG_5094.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFkmLw5Q94zBIx_a_l2ThQHJfF5UlxHgXNygbpx3us62pVwN7pO1RAm8yhHjZAI7AIT-wsWrIIOoi52mcAk1J3F1G324OpOp4u6HYsns2Yduc463LMNT_q_YIPGUYpVC7NlV3YJ5QBYs/s640/IMG_5094.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two new towers rising in the Transbay District: Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont as seen from Howard at 1st St. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As noted before, the<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "vollkorn";"> options will be names of people. In San Francisco they are names of fictitious characters from stories that took place in San Francisco. Also, the orientation of the map has east at the top, "looking" to Oakland.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART</li>
<ul>
<li>Arrives under the bay at Howard Street in SoMa.</li>
<li>Runs under Howard Street to 2nd St.</li>
<li>Turns west to go under O'Farrell Street and on to Geary Street to a terminus to be decided later</li>
</ul>
<li>Caltrain/HSR </li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.bayrailalliance.org/caltrain_dtx">Downtown Extension DTX </a>follows the Pennsylvania and 7th Street alignment from Potrero Hill to SoMa</li>
<li>Continues under <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">Townsend St</a>, then turning north under 2nd Street to the Transbay Center</li>
<li>Continues east out of the Center and on under the bay through a 4-bore 2nd Transbay crossing (2 tracks BART, 2 tracks Caltrain/HSR)</li>
</ul>
<li>Muni</li>
<ul>
<li>Operates largely as today</li>
<li>Central Subway extended to North Beach and possibly Fisherman's Wharf</li>
<li>Optional extension of N-Judah Mission Bay line further west to Division Street.</li>
<li>Optional Geary St Muni Metro could loop around Transbay Transit Center and then turn back southwest along Folsom back to the Mission. (not mapped)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLJyANpk_maOoPDcqdsAT33WXBEArkgJyF3joOn4ilhz1cjYY8Zyi3r4C8bD7Griv0On14utXDm0Wcduiq3a05lKnyRfeS7IgTxpIuWiDeqQAFruWGHm98XhPpEef5q95yqoCsqw9uKQ/s1600/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_HowardOFarrell_Townsend2nd_Midge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLJyANpk_maOoPDcqdsAT33WXBEArkgJyF3joOn4ilhz1cjYY8Zyi3r4C8bD7Griv0On14utXDm0Wcduiq3a05lKnyRfeS7IgTxpIuWiDeqQAFruWGHm98XhPpEef5q95yqoCsqw9uKQ/s640/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_HowardOFarrell_Townsend2nd_Midge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midge's Delight option. Source: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDee5yoHkjAmm6LdTAhmrrEZ14ietkJ9UxQiu_9-SFdsRLez1Jdz-FfqqFOcP__kCCb781iVzuVVlzM6qGUS25txi9IS47VB3r_uVRk9l5_HG2LZs7wTikW2WOClPzUFw3lji2SW2cxk/s1600/SoMa_Hitchcock-01-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDee5yoHkjAmm6LdTAhmrrEZ14ietkJ9UxQiu_9-SFdsRLez1Jdz-FfqqFOcP__kCCb781iVzuVVlzM6qGUS25txi9IS47VB3r_uVRk9l5_HG2LZs7wTikW2WOClPzUFw3lji2SW2cxk/s640/SoMa_Hitchcock-01-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Aerial view of SoMa and the Transbay District. Caltrain runs under 2nd St. Muni's T-Third runs under of 4th St. BART comes from East Bay under Howard St. Transfers possible between all three. Fremont Transbay Station under Howard has easy transfers to the Transbay Center. 4th & Townsend Station within walking distance of AT&T Park, Chase Center Warriors Arena, and Mission Rock development,.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs. Base image: GoogleEarth</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Transbay Transit Center at Howard: The station on Howard between Fremont and First streets provides great access to the quickly developing and densifying Transbay District, while still being within walking distance of much of the Financial District north of Market. In addition a short pedestrian tunnel under Fremont would link to the Transbay Transit Center with its Caltrain, HSR, and bus services. The transfer through the tunnel would take less than a minute.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gVph5SQnZzmnqZjUhV2uFoHCHLi6KkU8sAE-DDPd8Cc4Xdn4XX_ZrL_M_Ug5RPgKw4Mb7mVpgRhNNZ-N2hyphenhyphen2g8YI2RNGTYn3Z-8vtQioSL7AJlz2YO6BUdav5bPcIYbitLxdklAf3_M/s1600/IMG_5063.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gVph5SQnZzmnqZjUhV2uFoHCHLi6KkU8sAE-DDPd8Cc4Xdn4XX_ZrL_M_Ug5RPgKw4Mb7mVpgRhNNZ-N2hyphenhyphen2g8YI2RNGTYn3Z-8vtQioSL7AJlz2YO6BUdav5bPcIYbitLxdklAf3_M/s640/IMG_5063.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west on Howard Street at Fremont Street. A BART station here would run between Fremont and First and only be a 1 minute walk to the Transbay Transit Center in a pedestrian tunnel. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li>Union Square Powell Station (under O'Farrell Street) provides access to the Union Square shopping and cultural area in addition to providing transfers between the new BART line to the T-Third Muni Metro in the Central Subway, as well as existing Market Street BART and Muni Metro lines. Transfers from the new station could be made by connecting to the concourse under Stockton St. An optional additional pedestrian tunnel could directly link the two BART lines by going under Powell Street between O'Farrell and Market Street. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfBy4jmkiSP9yqI9smrTBIzgwGGCw4A1Fc48DeKzqkfOpOMUVXIeN_a_mXJuaD8cnE9F7rDBR7tzYxjkVxkR__CCxkHPJD2ZNaTiWpOzqFhy3RfLG7POFs56H3mackAoIV3mxxbN9YqY/s1600/UnionSqStations_Midge-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfBy4jmkiSP9yqI9smrTBIzgwGGCw4A1Fc48DeKzqkfOpOMUVXIeN_a_mXJuaD8cnE9F7rDBR7tzYxjkVxkR__CCxkHPJD2ZNaTiWpOzqFhy3RfLG7POFs56H3mackAoIV3mxxbN9YqY/s640/UnionSqStations_Midge-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Union Square area already will have the new T-Third station that connects to the Powell St BART and Muni Metro station. Adding the 2nd Transbay BART station under O'Farrell create a major regional rail hub at this important shopping, culture and tourist neighborhood. Image: Google Maps / Brian Stokle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Caltrain / HSR</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Fourth and Townsend Station gives access to the same area as the current 4th & King station, with close proximity to AT&T Park, and the planned growth area in the <b>Central SoMa plan</b>. In addition, access to the new Chase Center Warriors Arena would be a short walk away. Transfers to Muni T-Third and the N-Judah would be important.</li>
<li><b>Transbay Transit Center</b>: as planned this station will provide rail access into the heart of Downtown San Francisco providing service to the Peninsula, San Jose, as well as Fresno and eventually Los Angeles with the California High Speed Rail. </li>
<li>In addition, <b>pedestrian tunnels under Beale Street</b> connecting Embarcadero Station and under Fremont Street to the new BART line under Howard would all connect to the Transbay Transit Center for passengers wishing to transfer from Caltrain and HSR to reach points throughout the Bay Area via BART and Muni.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8ofjDx2860xoAsqCxAg-EZOkifIriOx46OtINWoTMcaroIOjQzslYDizyiMV37YmarhBCfjzTuqGS1bA9Bh_IEf8Z9ht0lSx1oHIJ_WgXRepiU4cikeFg53EfWC0yCG0a5paE_K9Bug/s1600/IMG_5093.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8ofjDx2860xoAsqCxAg-EZOkifIriOx46OtINWoTMcaroIOjQzslYDizyiMV37YmarhBCfjzTuqGS1bA9Bh_IEf8Z9ht0lSx1oHIJ_WgXRepiU4cikeFg53EfWC0yCG0a5paE_K9Bug/s640/IMG_5093.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transbay Transit Center (center bottum) with its white patterned skin. The Salesforce Tower under construction rises center right with its glass exterior not yet complete. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
The <b>Cons</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The new BART line<b> does not provide direct access to Mission Bay, </b>which continues to grow with the Mission Rock development, UCSF Mission Bay expansion, and the planned Chase Center Warriors Arena. A transfer from the new line to Caltrain or the Muni T-Third line would be required at:</li>
<ul>
<li>Transbay Center Howard (BART to Caltrain) and then Caltrain to 4th & Townsend station.</li>
<li>Union Square Powell (BART to Muni) and then on Muni to Mission Rock or UCSF Mission Bay station.</li>
</ul>
<li>Some of the BART tunnels pass through low lying areas <b>vulnerable to sea level rise</b> of five feet and under. SoMa, east of the Transbay Center where Yerba Buena Cove once existed, is vulnerable to 5 feet of sea level rise. If no mitigations or protections like a sea wall along the Embarcadero are created, the area could experience some flooding in the latter half of the century..</li>
<li>The DTX tunnel under Seventh and Townsend streets pass through low lying areas susceptible to sea level rise of 4 to 7 feet. The location of the station at Townsend and 4th would be the primary risky location for sea rise unless its station entrances and ventilation shafts were designed to adapt to higher seas and/or a raised ground level.</li>
<li>Parts of the alignment would require going under private property, especially between Howard St and O'Farrell Street. At a distance of 0.3 miles, this would be technically easy for engineering, but possibly complicated from an <b>easement</b>, building and structural point of view. Luckily, the path does not pass under any tall buildings.</li>
<li>Tunneling east of the Transbay Center will require removal of some tall buildings (regardless of alignment chosen - which would be very expensive.</li>
<li>Tunneling east would require breaking through the sea wall due to having insufficient distance to clear below the sea wall.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>The Pros</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The new BART line<b> provides direct access to the Financial District </b>with the Howard Transbay Station. With a station inside the neighborhood with the greatest concentration of current BART ridership, and where the highest concentration of employment exists, the Midge option means that passenger demand on the first Transbay Tube (TB1) will likely go down. .</li>
<li>The BART lines two stations stop at two major transportation hubs:</li>
<ul>
<li>Transbay Transit Center</li>
<li>Union Square / Powell St Station</li>
</ul>
<li>The BART line is <b>shorter than other options,</b> and quite straight with only a slight bend, making operations efficient, and making travel times shorter.</li>
<li>Muni Metro T-Line can be reached via BART at both Powell/Mission and via Caltrain at the 4th & Townsend station.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xoFp24H_QsduvEalUo4OycEhk9SFqxAuxH6x7SAir5T3k43tZi-z2Y6QEEAVAvG4Ct37DOWDcEnywKvgcnqnUkIlOAk3Z7tBRQ5WoP-kEoBiOWcvSGmwbCPUFxLRSDglQT4Yv4hIu6s/s1600/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xoFp24H_QsduvEalUo4OycEhk9SFqxAuxH6x7SAir5T3k43tZi-z2Y6QEEAVAvG4Ct37DOWDcEnywKvgcnqnUkIlOAk3Z7tBRQ5WoP-kEoBiOWcvSGmwbCPUFxLRSDglQT4Yv4hIu6s/s400/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">SF Planning Dept RAB Study looks at possible Downtown Extension alignments. Via <a href="http://www.socketsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg">Socketsite</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjMCKj-BGeNTTq0nPlMHvrMnZ79rMsJlxLqbdGvGr-j3imaZARcs9YdFO5_vYNfLtp3PfcSeOgp629LxrTiLrYNngjn_uwBYBM5e10vyUhand1l8isro-U2HGGPQotw79or_0VrcfwhQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-27+at+12.16.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjMCKj-BGeNTTq0nPlMHvrMnZ79rMsJlxLqbdGvGr-j3imaZARcs9YdFO5_vYNfLtp3PfcSeOgp629LxrTiLrYNngjn_uwBYBM5e10vyUhand1l8isro-U2HGGPQotw79or_0VrcfwhQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-27+at+12.16.46+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: Pelli Clark Pelli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Phasing</b></div>
<div>
After the Downtown Extension is built, the four-bore crossing with BART and Caltrain could come next with other San Francisco projects added later.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>In Summary</b></div>
</div>
<div>
This option has a lot to like. It's very easy to read on a map. Connections between rail systems is quite easy, stops where highest demand currently exists, and would require the least amount of tunnels compared to any other options. The main downside of the option is that it provides little to no access to new or prospective development areas like Mission Bay and South SoMa, although Caltrain does offer one station in this area. However, transfers from BART to Caltrain on the 2nd Crossing would be relatively seamless at Howard and Transbay Transit Center. In addition the option provides a Financial District station for the 2nd BART line, which would greatly reduce crowding on the existing line, while also providing the option for all-night train service without forcing many to transfer far. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Overall qualitative score: 4.0 / 5</b></div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-61362159709376249062016-12-21T00:50:00.002-08:002017-01-01T20:43:17.010-08:00Analyzing the Transbay Alignments: Part I Lindsay Boxer in San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Talk of a 2nd Transbay Rail Crossing has gained a bit of a bump in the last few weeks due to a few new things:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART's announcement that it will <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Commuters-beware-BART-has-2-year-plan-to-10661176.php">reduce service in the Transbay Tube</a> for several months (VERIFY DETAILS) to seismically upgrade the tunnel.</li>
<li>The UC Berkeley Transportation Studio presented its findings on where a 2nd Tube, or as they put it, a <a href="http://thirdcrossing.org/">3rd Crossing</a>, could go based on some robust analysis.</li>
<li>BART trains were either <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Train-stuck-in-Transbay-Tube-causes-major-BART-10808541.php">"stuck" in the tube Tuesday, December 20 </a>due to mechanical problems (old system) plus there was a medical emergency that caused delays. Both cascaded delays through entire system.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So I've finally come to a very late annual edition of where a BART and Caltrain tube and tunnel (and maybe bridge) system should go. (Other editions happened in <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/06/poll-where-should-bart-go-in-soma.html">2013</a>, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2015/02/third-street-2nd-transbay-tube-is-charm.html">2015</a>, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-mission-bay-tetris-rubiks-cube-rail.html">2016</a>) In I'll be looking at where they trains could go, the tradeoffs, the opportunities, the challenges, and the timing. In past installments, I've only looked at San Francisco, but I'll also be looking at <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-2035-rail-plan-for-oakland.html">Oakland</a> too this time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rather than looking at all the alignments all at once (like I've done before I think taking a slower approach will give a chance to better look at each possibility on its own. This time around I'll be also trying a new approach - calling the alignments by unique non-geographic names. Because I'll be showing both BART and Caltrain/HSR and Muni, creating names by major streets would get really long and confusing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rather, the options will be names of people. In San Francisco they'll be the names of fictitious characters from stories that took place in San Francisco. In Oakland it will be something else. I'm thinking it'll be famous East Bay sports figures, but maybe it will be something else. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've also oriented the maps a bit differently so as to jog my mind and perspective a bit to be open to new ideas and catch weaknesses I may haven't seen before. In San Francisco the perspective looks eastward with the bay at the top of the image, and Geary running up and down to the bottom of the image.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We begin with San Francisco and the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsay_Boxer">Lindsay Boxer</a> Discovery". You can learn about the other options here: <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/12/keep-it-simple-with-midges-delight-part.html">Midge's Delight </a>(12/30)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The <b>BASIC ALIGNMENTS</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>BART</li>
<ul>
<li>Arrives under the bay at Pier 50 in Mission Bay.</li>
<li>Runs under 5th Street.</li>
<li>Turns west to go under Geary Street to a terminus to be decided later</li>
</ul>
<li>Caltrain/HSR </li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.bayrailalliance.org/caltrain_dtx">Downtown Extension DTX </a>follows the Mission Bay <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">(3rd St) alignment</a></li>
<li>Continues under 2nd Street to the Transbay Center</li>
<li>Continues east out of the Center and on under the bay through a 3rd crossing.</li>
</ul>
<li>Muni</li>
<ul>
<li>Operates largely as today</li>
<li>Central Subway extended to North Beach and possibly Fisherman's Wharf</li>
<li>Optional extension of N-Judah Mission Bay line further west to Division Street.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlMkV4Y3WWseAEaIPA0m7jcghFvutSansBuDWVZ4pAm9obeyT5CLZ7yjPCyZanAEH0A2wDKw8Y901XnUkAtFt5D2LDALTin-YXlsfnUvsGbySdBcseDqz7t0Bf8xkzeVWK7Jkvh4czdI/s1600/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_5thGeary_MB2ndBoxer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlMkV4Y3WWseAEaIPA0m7jcghFvutSansBuDWVZ4pAm9obeyT5CLZ7yjPCyZanAEH0A2wDKw8Y901XnUkAtFt5D2LDALTin-YXlsfnUvsGbySdBcseDqz7t0Bf8xkzeVWK7Jkvh4czdI/s640/BART_TB2_SanFranciscoDowntown_5thGeary_MB2ndBoxer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqhIEk5rcc9rouOH_A9eXKqbxknPfkkZdXDP6tJPVj2f1AB50tpYcyH2U7CkUArNf5MI5vS8vvx8KkFPbhi2gUDVP1fh2XXuyIRHPKMEkqRk3s79rqpMDIkTQmydRkOLFomhECrFLUw8/s1600/Mission+Bay_Patterson-03-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqhIEk5rcc9rouOH_A9eXKqbxknPfkkZdXDP6tJPVj2f1AB50tpYcyH2U7CkUArNf5MI5vS8vvx8KkFPbhi2gUDVP1fh2XXuyIRHPKMEkqRk3s79rqpMDIkTQmydRkOLFomhECrFLUw8/s640/Mission+Bay_Patterson-03-01.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Aerial view of Mission Rock Station in Mission Bay. Caltrain runs under 3rd St. Muni's T-Third runs on surface of 3rd St. BART comes from East Bay and turns north under 5th St. Transfers possible between all three. Mission Rock Station within walking distance of AT&T Park, Chase Center Warriors Arena, UCSF Mission Bay, Mission Rock development,.</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs. Base image: GoogleEarth</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
The <b>STATIONS</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>BART</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Rock: The station at Third and China Basin St provides great access to the growing Mission Bay neighborhood and transfers to Caltrain and the Muni T-Third.</li>
<li>Central Soma Brannan 5th provides stops in the center of planned new development in this part of SoMa that is far from current BART access. The <a href="http://sf-planning.org/central-soma-plan">Central SoMa Plan</a> will bring 20 story hi-rises of offices here so getting access to more people will be important.</li>
<li>Mission Powell Station will be provide access to the Union Square shopping and cultural area in addition to providing transfers between the new BART line and existing Market Street BART and Muni Metro lines plus T-Third (for a second time).</li>
</ul>
<li><b>Caltrain / HSR</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Rock station gives access to the same basic area as the current 4th & King station, with close access to AT&T Park, plus very close to the new Chase Center Warriors Arena. In addition, transfers to Muni T-Third and the new BART line are critical.</li>
<li>Transbay Transit Center: as planned this station will provide rail access into the heart of Downtown San Francisco providing service to the Peninsula, San Jose, as well as Fresno and eventually Los Angeles with the California High Speed Rail. In addition, a planned pedestrian tunnel under Beale Street will connect Embarcadero Station and the Transbay Transit Center for passengers wishing to transfer to the Caltrain and HSR from BART and Muni under Market Street.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVd_8eT61VfUKXdBhyphenhyphenOYyPXKcNl9FadZ_rZ3tRO0YMbgiSTicu81sRowbLYg68ilxJ2rR51Bw5juTk3t-XJnMHyuyZRjbdfYeTBv_ZEgho67ZKM8kVTtNOnjkIlVLxpjwpH_MXcAVnFg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-21+at+12.39.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVd_8eT61VfUKXdBhyphenhyphenOYyPXKcNl9FadZ_rZ3tRO0YMbgiSTicu81sRowbLYg68ilxJ2rR51Bw5juTk3t-XJnMHyuyZRjbdfYeTBv_ZEgho67ZKM8kVTtNOnjkIlVLxpjwpH_MXcAVnFg/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-12-21+at+12.39.50+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third and China Basin St where a Mission Rock Caltrain/HSR/BART/Muni Metro station would be placed. <br />
Image: Google Streetview.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3K5F5bDEukyBC3GBFu7pZkh_lROtNcCAdw5vkRtErlkrRPsWQHrc9vQ1G0Zi3sl5acN9cIooAYRLDNgCFONBbhw7alvTGUlm0OxQ310E4lTGMYriLOcXQdwop9AbAxhvWQkD4gJmYI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-21+at+12.43.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3K5F5bDEukyBC3GBFu7pZkh_lROtNcCAdw5vkRtErlkrRPsWQHrc9vQ1G0Zi3sl5acN9cIooAYRLDNgCFONBbhw7alvTGUlm0OxQ310E4lTGMYriLOcXQdwop9AbAxhvWQkD4gJmYI/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-12-21+at+12.43.13+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central SoMa area with much future new dense office development planned at places like the Tennis Club, Flower Mart and even possibly the Caltrain railyard. Image: Google Maps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
The <b>Cons</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The new BART line<b> does not provide direct access to the Financial District </b>where the greatest concentration of current BART ridership exits, and where the highest concentration of employment exists. A transfer from the new line to the old BART line would be required at:</li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Powell (BART to BART) and then to Embarcadero.</li>
<li>Mission Powell (BART to Muni) and then to Embarcadero.</li>
<li>Mission Rock (BART to Caltrain) and then on to the Transbay Center.</li>
<ul>
<li>Transferring adds to a person's journey time. Transferring is also normally perceived to take longer than it actually does - sometimes reducing the number of people who would take transit.</li>
<li>Not reaching the Financial District directly might also mean that vast majority of people going to the Financial District will use the original Transbay Tube (TB1), possibly leading to <b>continued crowding</b> there due to the TB2 arriving to far away.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>The BART line does not reach the Transbay Transit Center, which will be the primary long distance HSR train station in San Francisco.</li>
<li>Much of the BART route passes through low lying areas vulnerable to sea level rise of five feet and under. Mission Bay and SoMa near the Caltrain Railyard are vulnerable to 6 feet of sea level rise, if no mitigations like a sea wall are created.</li>
<li>Parts of the alignment would require going under private property, especially between Market St and Geary Street. At a distance of half a mile, this would be technically easy for engineering, but possibly complicated politically.</li>
<li>This DTX tunnel under Third Street would be longer than the currently approved tunnel under Townsend and Second. </li>
<li>Much of the DTX route passes through very low lying Mission Bay, which is very vulnerable to sea level rise.</li>
<li>Tunneling east of the Transbay Center will require removal of some tall buildings (regardless of alignment chosen - which would be very expensive.</li>
<li>Tunneling east would require breaking through the sea wall due to having insufficient distance to clear below the sea wall.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>The Pros</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The BART lines three stations stop at three growing work centers:</li>
<ul>
<li>Mission Bay - with expanded employment at the new <a href="http://www.chasecenter.com/">Chase Center</a> in addition to UCSF, <a href="http://sfport.com/missionrock">Mission Rock </a>development and biotech offices.</li>
<li>Central SoMa with the planned upzoned buildings near 5th and Brannan.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.5mproject.com/">5M project </a>at Mission and 5th St, which will include much new housing and office space.</li>
<li>The DTX tunnel under Third Street would be relatively easy to build thanks to having no utilities to move. </li>
</ul>
<li>Both the DTX and the BART lines are <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/03/uncrooking-san-franciscos-crookedest.html">quite straight</a> and without many turns - making their operations efficient, and making travel times on shorter.</li>
<li>Muni Metro T-Line can be reached via BART at both Powell/Mission and at Mission Rock. In addition, other Muni Metro lines are accessed at Powell Station.</li>
<li>The New BART line has a transfer point to Caltrain at Mission Rock, while the current TB1 BART lines can <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/05/ped-tunnel-vision.html">transfer to Caltrain at Embarcadero</a> to Transbay Transit Center.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xoFp24H_QsduvEalUo4OycEhk9SFqxAuxH6x7SAir5T3k43tZi-z2Y6QEEAVAvG4Ct37DOWDcEnywKvgcnqnUkIlOAk3Z7tBRQ5WoP-kEoBiOWcvSGmwbCPUFxLRSDglQT4Yv4hIu6s/s1600/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xoFp24H_QsduvEalUo4OycEhk9SFqxAuxH6x7SAir5T3k43tZi-z2Y6QEEAVAvG4Ct37DOWDcEnywKvgcnqnUkIlOAk3Z7tBRQ5WoP-kEoBiOWcvSGmwbCPUFxLRSDglQT4Yv4hIu6s/s400/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SF Planning Dept RAB Study looks at possible Downtown Extension alignments. Via <a href="http://www.socketsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RAB-Phase-1-Caltrain-Alignment.jpg">Socketsite</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5M project will increase demand for transit access at 5th & Mission. Image: <a href="http://www.5mproject.com/new-page/">5M</a></td></tr>
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<b>Phasing</b></div>
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With two new crossings, the BART or Caltrain/Crossing could come first with the other crossing added later. Building the DTX would be first followed by a new crossing. Separating crossings could be well intended, but the 3rd crossing might take decades to build, or never be built.</div>
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<b>In Summary</b></div>
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This option has a lot to like. It's easy to read on a map. Connections between rail systems is quite easy, and it has stops at many new developing areas where ridership will be high. The main downside of the option is that it provides a less than seamless transfer from BART to the Transbay Center (1000' tunnel under Beale from Embarcadero). However, transfers from BART to Caltrain on the 2nd Crossing would be seamless at Mission Rock. In addition the option does not provide a Financial District station for the 2nd BART line, which could risk not reducing crowding on the existing line. </div>
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With the 3rd Rail Crossing of Caltrain/HSR from Transbay Transit Center, maybe a TB2 Transbay Center station is unnecessary. Of course having TWO new rail crossings that are separate would be significantly more costly than a single new crossing.</div>
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<b>Overall qualitative score: 3.0 / 5</b></div>
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-10478006167811455382016-10-31T22:08:00.000-07:002016-11-01T09:48:50.261-07:00New BART traincars are kind of a big deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Firstly - Happy Halloween!<br />
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Secondly - yay for the new BART train cars! Yesterday I made the trek from San Francisco to El Cerrito Del Norte Station (my grandparents' old station) to see the new "Fleet of the Future".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankly, the seats were really nice AND practical. Note the depth of cushioning. We could have declined to plastic seats. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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Although the new train did not move it moved the soul of this here transit advocate and enthusiast. I arrived at 11 AM - well after the prescribed start time - thinking I wouldn't get the toy train car. Luckily the woman in front of me told me that she really wanted a train car for her autistic son. A BART employee had assured her, moments earlier, that everyone would be getting squishy new toy fleet of the future train cars. And sure enough we all did! The atmosphere while waiting was full of effervescent anticipation. Sure I'd glanced at the train on my way into the station, but getting to actually walk into it was.... almost a religious experience.<br />
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Ok - it wasn't quite religious, but it was great. (<a href="https://twitter.com/urbanlifesigns/status/727177621033742336">Seeing the first viaduct pillars</a> of the California High Speed Rail system in Madera County <i>was <a href="https://twitter.com/urbanlifesigns/status/763492840919986178">a religious experience</a>.</i>) Remember, I'm a guy who's lived in three big cities - New York, <a href="https://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2012/05/hollywood-ads-meet-ghost-metro-stations.html">Paris</a>, and San Francisco. I've seen new train cars both in Paris and New York. So I was expecting something nice, but not profound. What I saw was a tad short of profound. So very good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many people waited in line to see the new train cars. Not sure if it was more for the toy or seeing the cars. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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Taking the escalator up, past the Del Norte mosaic walls, and then being greeted by BART ambassadors at all 9 doors of the three car train was a nice and welcoming touch. The first thing you notice is the train color is really white, but that will change with time.<br />
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Upon entry it's the seats in their <a href="http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2014/04/19/san-francisco-49ers-fans-unhappy-that-new-bart-trains-have-seattle-seahawks-colors/">bright blue and green</a> that I noticed. I had to sit in them. And they are very comfy while being made of some miracle material that appears easy to wipe. Just the right amount of padding without swallowing you yet also seeming to be a durable padding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me holding my new BART "toy" at the center of the train where no pole exists. Note there are more straphangers at the center. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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The three door configuration, although not complicated and nearly universal in other metro systems, seemed natural and not amazing - but I think we'll sense how great it is with how fast folks will get on and off trains.<br />
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Regarding seat configuration - there are two options. Both options have a pair of wheelchair locations at the center door with no center poll to ease access in and out for for wheelchair users - especially on a crowded train. At another door, there is a full compliment of seats - no open space for a bike or other large objects. A the opposite end door is where there are two prototype designs:<br />
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<li>A designated bike space with three bike holder-type things - apparently inspired by a Dutch train bike holder design. Bikes need to be parked alternating with the center bike having its back to the holder/clamp while the two outside bikes put their front wheels in.</li>
<li>A flex space, very much like today's bike parking, where folks can park their bike, or a stroller, or large luggage. For bikes a strap may be available to hold down the bike.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New three bar center poles. Man in green jacket is standing next to "flex" space where bikes, strollers and large luggage can be placed. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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Personally I favor the flex space. BART trains carry people, wheelchairs, bikes <i>as well as </i>strollers, luggage, PA systems and who knows what else big and bulky someone might bring on. I say go flex. </div>
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I spoke to BART Board Director Mallett - who also supports the flex space. It was nice to see both him and Director Saltzman greeting folks on the train. In addition, a whole array of other BART staff were on hand - BART train operators, BART planning staff and more. Even BART General Manager Grace Crunican was on hand!</div>
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Even two of the train interior designers were on hand for my super detailed questions, which were both answered!</div>
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<li>Did BART explore "open gangway" train cars where the entire train or at least several train cars are essentially one long train car without doors separating each train car. Why didn't BART buy them, especially with their added capacity?</li>
<li>How did BART come to its compromise with the seating/bike space/wheelchair space compromise?</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Open Gangways Train Cars</span></b></div>
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Open gangway train cars are becoming more common. Some of the first ones were in the Singapore metro system from the 1980s. Some Paris Metro lines and London Overground trains have open gangways, and I'm sure other systems have them.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iOH_TmdDdsI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iOH_TmdDdsI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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A video I took while on the Paris Metro Line 1 leaving Bastille Station. Note the bendy curves (and my 3-yr old daughter's musings). Video: Brian Stokle </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5483CXbW90kcG0rfmAyZEOLvxjjIuCzWa0Ev9DE0OXnJGgOW3L3yCMQDZSw_ayqXZkIYjYcdR2eIu9Ni0_eapgsv0xh8svwoDiBbpsouqxIA3EfWH-a4wjw0bI4ovQ3FqEZ04Oc-lg0E/s1600/160211_METRO_Train-Singapore.jpg.CROP.promo-xlarge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5483CXbW90kcG0rfmAyZEOLvxjjIuCzWa0Ev9DE0OXnJGgOW3L3yCMQDZSw_ayqXZkIYjYcdR2eIu9Ni0_eapgsv0xh8svwoDiBbpsouqxIA3EfWH-a4wjw0bI4ovQ3FqEZ04Oc-lg0E/s640/160211_METRO_Train-Singapore.jpg.CROP.promo-xlarge2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open ganway traincar in Singapore. Image: <a href="http://www.craftinglight.com/">Jonathan Chiang</a>/Getty Images via <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/metropolis/2016/02/subways_should_have_open_gangway_cars_why_does_the_u_s_resist_it.html">Slate</a></td></tr>
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By having essentially one train long train car that bends, the train feels more like a long bendy room. This adds capacity - you can stand "between" cars even though it doesn't feel like you're between them - and it adds safety as the "room" of the train is larger, so the train feels like a larger community and consequently is a bit safer.</div>
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Unfortunately, as Aaron Weinstein at BART told me, if BART were to have purchased open gangway train cars - say 2 or 5 car sets, if a single train car in the 5-car open gangway set broke down - the entire 5 car set would have to go out of operation. Today, with separate train cars, only that single train car gets pulled for maintenance. Similarly, at the maintenance facility a single train car pit would not do like it does today. If 5-car sets were purchased, a 5-car repair pit would have to be built. This would be a capital cost that would be a bit pricy to build even though there'd be some benefits. </div>
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In the end I feel ok that BART didn't buy open gangway train cars, even though they're exciting, fun, and have benefits. It's hard enough for BART to buy new train cars - so I'm glad we're getting new ones even if we don't have open gangway ones.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Traincar Layout</span></b></div>
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Apparently BART did an extensive outreach process of getting feedback on how to layout its train cars. I even remember sitting in a prototype pretend train car that showed how the layout might be a few years ago. What BART staff told me was that when BART got feedback from folks with disabilities (folks who are blind, those that use wheelchairs, visually impaired, the ambulatory disabled) that the majority were ok with the pole in the center between doors. However when they looked at only the responses from<a href="https://medium.theuxblog.com/the-future-of-accessibility-on-bart-72c59559f0e3#.o33sn4b28"> folks using wheelchairs</a>, they did not agree with the pole. </div>
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So the decision was made, and supported by several disability advocacy groups and BART's disability advisory board (I don't know its official name), that designating the center doors for wheelchair locations and not at the side doors was the best compromise that worked for all BART users. We'll see how it plays out in action when the first train rolls out for service in a few months.</div>
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Lastly, I want to comment on the system maps. They're now part of a dynamic illuminated map that shows where the train is in the system at that moment, in addition to highlighting the route you're on, the next station and what the end station is. This will really help folks know where they're going and if they're getting off at the right station.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New dynamic BART system map with next stop listing (upper right), and message board (lower right). Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeGd93lqGcbtcZETyCoci8DqzEpaJtecnrsXjRuJItPwZ4SW1lpGpSfAy4aNodDiGW81CrCeAPNcaahGF6AJ0ciXCmGOMhW7mC_THarqGPhwTU_H-mKFnO05dlagLSRSyNXVuta084kU/s640/blogger-image--416922093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeGd93lqGcbtcZETyCoci8DqzEpaJtecnrsXjRuJItPwZ4SW1lpGpSfAy4aNodDiGW81CrCeAPNcaahGF6AJ0ciXCmGOMhW7mC_THarqGPhwTU_H-mKFnO05dlagLSRSyNXVuta084kU/s640/blogger-image--416922093.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train location is noted by a moving arrow. Not sure why the orange line appears to look yellow. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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Can't wait to right the first train in service. Apparently the real wonder of the new trains isn't anything I mentioned above. It's how <i>super quiet </i>the trains are. Sounds divine.<i> </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXbt0yxfGPsOXS0UlxNoITXrLcLMPJRQEHCu33RF78f_edMQHZlS-FiKCSSJYUXejVtEwa6-5DA8hZ1MckwctpcPfQEdmcFfL8lXvU2iGEPgb7wrA7wUHY4fUkPqoRAixB-evmNRsrlk/s640/blogger-image-667098231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXbt0yxfGPsOXS0UlxNoITXrLcLMPJRQEHCu33RF78f_edMQHZlS-FiKCSSJYUXejVtEwa6-5DA8hZ1MckwctpcPfQEdmcFfL8lXvU2iGEPgb7wrA7wUHY4fUkPqoRAixB-evmNRsrlk/s640/blogger-image-667098231.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headshot of new BART train car. Looks pretty attractive. Image: Brian Stokle / Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-71246947844161565752016-10-14T21:50:00.000-07:002016-10-14T22:01:23.432-07:00All the family I have known and met - lived through 250 years!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Talking about climate change, sea level rise, and their effects is easy. Getting folks, myself included, to actually act on this monumental challenge is the big obstacle.<br />
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One of the many challenges is getting a grasp on the long time horizons - if we don't reduce emissions now, the world will be flooded by 10 feet in 90 years.<br />
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After having a daughter I've thought a lot about what the world will look like in the year 2050 and 2100. I'll be alive in 2050, quite possibly, when I'll be 80 years old. However, my daughter will only be 38 years old. And in 2100, she'll be 88 years old. Three of my grandparents lived to 90 years or older, so there's a decent chance she might make it to then.<br />
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All this means that my daughter is very very likely to live in a VERY different world in 2100, or even in 2079 when she'll be eligible for Social Security benefits - assuming the program still exists.<br />
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Thinking further, I thought to myself, how can <i>I and other people, </i>better connect to the idea that the here an now affects the world in 25, 50, 100 and even 150 years from now. So I wondered, who in my family will I know and what years did <i>they</i> all live in.<br />
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As indicated in the chart below, my older grandfather was born in 1899, and my potential granddaughter will live to 2150 when she'll be 97.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">The family I know will have spanned </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">251 years</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and five generations. </span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So when we're talking about reducing emissions, and making tough decisions on how to get there - like eliminating all gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2030, remember that <i>your children</i> and grandchildren will be living past the year 2100 and trying to cope with a hot world, with flooded historic cities, with international refugees fleeing flooded cities.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>True 250 years is a long time. My great great great grandmother, Mary Anne Blue was born in 1822 in Ohio and died in Iowa in 1902, nearly 70 years before I was born. It would have been nearly impossible for her to help plan for a world 150 years into the future - to the year 2020. At the least, I would hope that she cared.<i> I hope that she would make an effort</i> <i>to foster a world where her great great great grandson could breathe, drink water, eat food, and survive in this world.</i><br />
<br />
So when we're going about our daily lives, getting to work, thinking of buying a car, and throwing out the garbage, let's think about the kids we'll know who will be born in the coming 20 to 40 years who will live past the year 2100 and quite possibly to the year 2150. Let's make sure our small and big decisions keep them in mind. Whether it's voting for a politician who believes in climate change, or just deciding on whether to drive somewhere that you could easily get to by transit. Your little decisions today <i>will </i>affect your "Marry Anne Future" you.<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-53798126976402840132016-09-30T23:40:00.001-07:002016-10-14T22:01:11.765-07:00BART system time lapse and Vote YES on Measure RR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrZbiSkyxRzNNgSPxq0kGhYoCYbhbUMww-v03HgSE1aZIwm68NLdiHGd28EF_nxi4NyVihIZaJxJ72oSvxl1MLCyMl4PkD6VpMWkZ-bphDAtcD83_z-Q1AZtWE5xroep7QT_-KITleo/s1600/vaoyHoEP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrZbiSkyxRzNNgSPxq0kGhYoCYbhbUMww-v03HgSE1aZIwm68NLdiHGd28EF_nxi4NyVihIZaJxJ72oSvxl1MLCyMl4PkD6VpMWkZ-bphDAtcD83_z-Q1AZtWE5xroep7QT_-KITleo/s320/vaoyHoEP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
BART was closed between Glen Park and Daly City stations a few weekends ago - one of <a href="https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2016/news20160615-2">several planned closures</a> between July and October 2016. You may recall other recent closures in the East Bay, and most dramatically, the pair of Transbay Tube closures in 2015.<br />
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Whether you love, hate, or accept BART - it gets much of the Bay Area around. However, San Francisco has grown as a city and the Bay Area has grown as a region... and BART hasn't grown much at all apart from extensions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_WhevBW9_4Gt53ReBZ2ROTWiY4FPRv_soTXFxHKlQfsTc8NMZWQW2e9mFTg1zJ8vAs8LYF5aFRdoSQzxhyphenhyphenmAvq98BNi1cM9sqgheOSaI6W9hmHI4eX2rHWlCnzRVrraOTtA1gbkMqtA/s1600/BART+Bus+Bridge+closeup_Glen+Park+Daly+City.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_WhevBW9_4Gt53ReBZ2ROTWiY4FPRv_soTXFxHKlQfsTc8NMZWQW2e9mFTg1zJ8vAs8LYF5aFRdoSQzxhyphenhyphenmAvq98BNi1cM9sqgheOSaI6W9hmHI4eX2rHWlCnzRVrraOTtA1gbkMqtA/s640/BART+Bus+Bridge+closeup_Glen+Park+Daly+City.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus bridge between Glen Park and Daly City offered by BART and Muni. Source: BART</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.yesforbart.com/">Measure RR</a>, calls for a bond that will help finance many of BART's pressing needs for getting you to where you want to go reliably. Sure you might have a bad view of BART now - but think of how much worse it will be if we don't pass this bond. With no bond, we would have the same hardware of old wires, pipes, electrical systems from the 1970s, and no train control system to get more trains through the tube.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1x324-WtFGbqMg_ax4iAcpD5CzQx6NZczoHuRci9vqVa6MXv_Sk8y7FwUAEwuff5pvPeTtPuD2HoaaPsSLkbbSzfXCK-feq31jnuYhurYky0kae9X-I1q73fXUZG-oUVqDqGlTptChY/s1600/SPUR_BayAreaRail_4Bore_Sequence2027.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1x324-WtFGbqMg_ax4iAcpD5CzQx6NZczoHuRci9vqVa6MXv_Sk8y7FwUAEwuff5pvPeTtPuD2HoaaPsSLkbbSzfXCK-feq31jnuYhurYky0kae9X-I1q73fXUZG-oUVqDqGlTptChY/s640/SPUR_BayAreaRail_4Bore_Sequence2027.gif" width="617" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>In addition <a href="http://www.yesforbart.com/">Measure RR</a> will have some funding to put towards planning our long term future - including a <a href="http://www.spur.org/publications/white-paper/2016-02-10/designing-bay-areas-second-transbay-rail-crossing">2nd Transbay Crossing</a>, which we so desperately need to reduce crowding, improve service, have a backup after a quake, and increase the places we can go via transit and not use sea level rise inducing cars.<br />
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To ensure you take a look at this quick note, I've include this map of BART's and the region's intercity rail system over time to present 2016 and beyond to a second Transbay crossing. We've come a long way - let's keep moving. Enjoy.<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-45400842613365704482016-08-31T23:57:00.001-07:002016-09-17T12:54:26.810-07:00Entwining BART and Caltrain Elegantly in San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Figuring out where a new rail line will go is a complicated thing. Figuring out where to put a new BART or Commuter Rail tube AND a Caltrain extension, all interacting with existing rail, AND taking sea level rise into consideration will make your head implode.<br />
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Below are a few ideas I've put together. I've included five feet of sea level rise as a reference, as it would seem to be wise to include sea level rise into the planning when the infrastructure will be around for 100 to 150 years.<br />
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All of the options attempt to achieve the following:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>A second transbay crossing for capacity increase and redundancy (2 tracks or bores)</li>
<ul>
<li>In some cases a third crossing is included for a total of (4 tracks or bores)</li>
</ul>
<li>A Downtown San Francisco station where most of the ridership goes</li>
<li>A transfer station between an existing Downtown Market St station and the new 2nd Tube in the event that the original Transbay Tube is shut down for major repairs</li>
<li>Focus on the Transbay Transit Center as the major transportation hub, especially because it will eventually have High Speed Rail.</li>
<li>Create stations in areas that are developing and lack a regional station or to areas that could accommodate significant new growth in the future.</li>
</ul>
Note that whichever idea gets put forward to eventually build will be built in phases. In the maps shown its assumed that the first phase of these regional rail plans would be the Downtown Extension (DTX), linking Caltrain and HSR to the Transbay Transit Center (aka Transbay Center). The second phase could be either a 2nd tube for BART, Caltrain or both, and later a third transbay crossing, or new rail westward into San Francisco.<br />
<br />
<b>Avoiding Sea Level Rise Zones</b><br />
<b>4 bores</b><br />
Caltrain: 7th St and Howard to Transbay Center<br />
BART: 2nd St and Post St to Cathedral Van Ness<br />
<br />
<b>Transfers:</b> Montgomery and the Transbay Center would be connected by a new Mission Transbay BART station under 2nd Street. It would mean you could transfer from Caltrain to BART along Market St, or to the new BART line to reach places like Cathedral Van Ness or to Muni Metro to reach Castro Station.<br />
When the First Transbay Tube is <b>shut down</b>, passengers from BART line in SF and peninsula would cross bay by transferring to new BART line at Montgomery/Mission Transbay station.<br />
<b>New Station Areas:</b> Showplace Brannan, Cathedral Van Ness<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguILuYyTdpEQJOLu3LH60kW2k_RfITjzh5-WuRj9M3FyHA6qbdCK2f7G_7I8ocVHoc95vLs_cEme68y3aIk_3W-hdMsY2FWUWGnfBvkY9OKk2vKRsigsANop-dpNDSnNKB8wyVkpdH24Y/s1600/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527+7thHoward_2ndPost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguILuYyTdpEQJOLu3LH60kW2k_RfITjzh5-WuRj9M3FyHA6qbdCK2f7G_7I8ocVHoc95vLs_cEme68y3aIk_3W-hdMsY2FWUWGnfBvkY9OKk2vKRsigsANop-dpNDSnNKB8wyVkpdH24Y/s640/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527+7thHoward_2ndPost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Realistic and Practical</b><br />
<b>2 bores - BART Only</b><br />
Caltrain: Townsend St and 2nd St to Transbay Center<br />
BART: Mission St and Geary to Fillmore<br />
<br />
<b>Transfers:</b> Embarcadero and the Transbay Center would be connected by a new Fremont Transbay BART station under Mission Street. It would mean you could transfer from Caltrain to BART along Market St, or to the new BART line to reach places like Fillmore or to Muni Metro to reach Church Station.<br />
When the First Transbay Tube is <b>shut down</b>, passengers from BART line in SF and peninsula would cross bay by transferring to new BART line at Embarcadero station to Fremont Transbay station.<br />
<b>New Station Areas:</b> Fillmore, Cathedral Van Ness<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASyMo_Z5o980SVYWfk65tJs03DML_3A4B50hJIvrT7Xm_mVG5OAYIhXgN1zLfztWziWc6Xb0iBsIPo221HACr0aZ3JCPloqusaGI5mKssHJp7bJ3DM66M7dEAajYY4oO2KTeoMr6KTsg/s1600/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527+Towns2nd_MissionGearyB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASyMo_Z5o980SVYWfk65tJs03DML_3A4B50hJIvrT7Xm_mVG5OAYIhXgN1zLfztWziWc6Xb0iBsIPo221HACr0aZ3JCPloqusaGI5mKssHJp7bJ3DM66M7dEAajYY4oO2KTeoMr6KTsg/s640/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527+Towns2nd_MissionGearyB2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Subway Style Commuter Service</b><br />
<b>2 bores - Caltrain/HSR Only</b><br />
Caltrain: Townsend St and 2nd St to Transbay Center<br />
BART: linked to Caltrain Crossing with transfer at Transbay Transit Center & Embarcadero<br />
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<b>Transfers:</b> Embarcadero and the Transbay Center would be connected by the planned pedestrian tunnel under Beale Street. It would mean you could transfer from Caltrain to BART along Market St, or to Muni Metro to reach West Portal Station.<br />
When the First Transbay Tube is <b>shut down</b>, passengers from BART line in SF and peninsula would cross bay by transferring to the Caltrain Transbay line at Embarcadero station.<br />
<b>New Station Areas:</b> none<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyFXHpmCOlDCZFEZkJNllAxJd9e5yN7hAtjVj50qOurjDB2_CXbn4jTWMB531ElHFh-dEqTJ8B7lqcArqgzU6JpxIoKkNaQgo46fmTrFL6wNGiup_TOY5qCktISiNP4u68LlG_6-OIuE/s1600/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_CaltrainOnly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyFXHpmCOlDCZFEZkJNllAxJd9e5yN7hAtjVj50qOurjDB2_CXbn4jTWMB531ElHFh-dEqTJ8B7lqcArqgzU6JpxIoKkNaQgo46fmTrFL6wNGiup_TOY5qCktISiNP4u68LlG_6-OIuE/s640/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_CaltrainOnly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />SoMa FiDi Spread</b><br />
<b>2 bores - BART Only</b><br />
Caltrain: 3rd St Mission Bay to 2nd St to Transbay Transit Center<br />
BART: Montgomery St to 2nd St to Townsend to Division and back to Mission BART line.<br />
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<b>Transfers:</b> Montgomery and the Transbay Center would be connected by a new Mission Transbay BART station under 2nd Street. It would mean you could transfer from BART along Market Street to to Caltrain to get to Bayshore, or to the new BART line to reach places like 6th & Townsend or to Muni Metro to reach Van Ness Station.<br />
When the First Transbay Tube is <b>shut down</b>, passengers from BART line in SF and peninsula would cross bay by either transferring to new BART line at Montgomery Station to Mission Transbay station, or if they are south of Civic Center, they would take a direct train to the East Bay.<br />
<b>New Station Areas:</b> Showplace Square, Potrero and Division, Columbus<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8twDE_VgsgALqEQV3YwzkvtpteDTRKm-SizAv2nHv2b0zZHaKzjjrUyx2zQMFC95Kblvtp85kqduQs8cc11fOtZL7whpQ1Yn8Bj33YTDDedbAoQLE0hcu8m6KvamEZCUQt4j6xHfJz8c/s1600/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_BARTOnly_FiDiSoMaDivision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8twDE_VgsgALqEQV3YwzkvtpteDTRKm-SizAv2nHv2b0zZHaKzjjrUyx2zQMFC95Kblvtp85kqduQs8cc11fOtZL7whpQ1Yn8Bj33YTDDedbAoQLE0hcu8m6KvamEZCUQt4j6xHfJz8c/s640/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_BARTOnly_FiDiSoMaDivision.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Seawall Looop</b><br />
<b>4 bores - BART Only</b><br />
Caltrain: Terry Francois in Mission Bay to Embarcadero to Transbay Transit Center. Rail would be within a new seawall to protect Mission Bay and SoMa from sea level rise in this scenario. Trains headed to Oakland would go down 2nd Street, then pass under Rincon Hill to a tunnel or bridge leaving San Francisco at Pier 30/32.<br />
BART: Main Street and/or Beale to Pine Street to Geary St ending at Fillmore Station.<br />
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<b>Transfers:</b> Embarcadero and the Transbay Center would be connected by planned Beale St pedestrian tunnel. BART passengers using the new Transbay crossing would transfer to the Transbay Center at a Howard St station between Beale and Maine.<br />
When the First Transbay Tube is <b>shut down</b>, passengers from BART line in SF and peninsula would cross bay by transferring to new BART line at Embarcadero Station via the Transbay Center.<br />
<b>New Station Areas:</b> Mission Rock, Kearny & Pine, Cathedral Hill, Fillmore<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-T1zy3nNWizCoCItswnoR-mlU8Ky35djyeE3nEEXA-v6ZSe_zjTp9J_aG97M5sb511O4TX2gIYF1_FywVIZBV1ni5PdXV6VjPnNpr6xkbVy2K_R02QUp-ccnOWP_yQFMGWCXFAzDZcA/s1600/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_SeawallLoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-T1zy3nNWizCoCItswnoR-mlU8Ky35djyeE3nEEXA-v6ZSe_zjTp9J_aG97M5sb511O4TX2gIYF1_FywVIZBV1ni5PdXV6VjPnNpr6xkbVy2K_R02QUp-ccnOWP_yQFMGWCXFAzDZcA/s640/Surging+Seas_SF+5%2527_SeawallLoop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If I could choose the option myself, I would selection the "Avoiding Sea Level Rise Zones". It creates two new stations in SoMa near Mission Bay, while still providing access to the existing 4th & King Caltrain station area that would eventually have that station closed. Note that 4th & King would still have Muni Metro service from the N-Judah and the T-Third. In addition, the Geary corridor gets a line that will eventually go further west.<br />
<br />
The main challenge to this idea is that the Caltrain DTX alignment on 7th and Howard Streets is not environmentally approved nor is it currently listed as one of the alignments in the San Francisco Planning Department RAB Study. In addition it would require going under Moscone Center along Howard St. However, my back of the envelope calculations indicate there is sufficient distance between Moscone and the Transbay Center for the train to sufficiently go under the convention center while getting to the shallower Transbay Center -2 train level.<br />
<br />
My practical, realist side says that the DTX alignment will most likely follow its approved line on Townsend and 2nd, or along 3rd St and 2nd St. My dream of a double decker BART and Caltrain tunnel under 2nd Street seems far fetched due to getting logistics of two big projects (and agencies) lined up (BART & Caltrain/HSR). Thus the "Realistic and Practical" option is our best bet to getting a DTX tunnel, a 2nd Transbay Crossing and Geary BART. Connecting a 2nd Tranbay BART back to the original Mission/Daly City BART line is unnecessary and will not bolster operations in the BART system.<br />
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If sea level rise accelerates or addressing at risk areas becomes a higher priority, then creating a seawall BART, or truly making rail avoid risk zones should be prioritized in the choice of alignments for all rail services.<br />
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I'll be putting up a poll and hopefully some GIF's up to show the phasing of these ideas. Stay tuned.<br />
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As always I welcome feedback, questions, criticisms, and new ideas. For me, we need to get this moving forward either way.</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-18393653638497512012016-06-30T23:50:00.002-07:002016-07-03T07:59:43.780-07:00New Mission Bay Kids' Park Opens Friday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
San Francisco will get two new parks in Mission Bay very soon: Mission Bay
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<s>Playground</s> Kids' Park, and Mariposa Park. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Board-gives-final-OK-to-new-Mission-Bay-playground-8138300.php">Tomorrow</a> <span style="color: blue;">the playground designed for residents living in </span>Mission Bay <strike>Kids Playground</strike> will open thanks to expedited work that was approved by the Board of Supervisors earlier in June.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Mission Bay Kids' Park <s>Playground</s> with playground OPENING July 1, 2016!!!!!</h3>
I kid you not. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Board-gives-final-OK-to-new-Mission-Bay-playground-8138300.php">SF Gate</a> and an e-mail to Mission Bay residents from <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/mission-bay-home-to-an-emerging-community-of-families">Sarah Davis</a>, the godmother of the playground - who's been waiting over a decade for the park to come to be AND open sent out a newsletter saying the Mission Bay Kids' Park <s>Playground</s> will open July 1, 2016.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bXXBQ7dw17a_Tl-eadd8GDWcWnq-7_LPTIOKe5X0LYdrgr-ObMZ6rsir-1BuQquRW0UJEOnNrJTaCvJozCmTjb9x2iS3_TkScj4hLHn9J_Z7bDvnFESIGJi7u0JP-60Q00sk6Bdtva8/s1600/0f983386f380bb22325ac8534dfc4823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bXXBQ7dw17a_Tl-eadd8GDWcWnq-7_LPTIOKe5X0LYdrgr-ObMZ6rsir-1BuQquRW0UJEOnNrJTaCvJozCmTjb9x2iS3_TkScj4hLHn9J_Z7bDvnFESIGJi7u0JP-60Q00sk6Bdtva8/s640/0f983386f380bb22325ac8534dfc4823.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow huts at Mission Bay Kids/ Park. Image: <a href="http://rhaa.com/">RHAA</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYBQ3UluLCjqcrJsYYljR00K8aCTKVw5fTVzD5JQas7Hrg2VBL1vuGPJurWczVqhMYdmB1XnFDk6OElp01B60-07G8niEGCSd1Mer-Lah4g7d-7iXU4fC_wfJUidF46yxggwmFoxmdxo/s640/blogger-image--846903166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYBQ3UluLCjqcrJsYYljR00K8aCTKVw5fTVzD5JQas7Hrg2VBL1vuGPJurWczVqhMYdmB1XnFDk6OElp01B60-07G8niEGCSd1Mer-Lah4g7d-7iXU4fC_wfJUidF46yxggwmFoxmdxo/s640/blogger-image--846903166.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from a nearby housing development overlooking the playground. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Mission Bay Kids' Park</h3>
The playground appeared to be completed with grass growing, playground equipment shining in a multitude of colors, and new nature huts of basking in the San Francisco sun, over a year ago. Sadly the entire playground has been fenced off for months. The reason is a complex procedural thing of transferring private redeveloped land over to the city. You can learn more about that <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Mission-Bay-residents-frustrated-that-new-park-7996948.php">here</a> and <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Board-gives-final-OK-to-new-Mission-Bay-playground-8138300.php">here</a>. Initially it was due to the fact that the area surrounding it is a massive construction site.<br />
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Mariposa Park, adjacent to the new UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, is likely to open soon as well, but there is less information on its status.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h89exEup3HqhHd1n6bx1ezNfZYUdKpKd63Sg67KyB0oViUNgBwQ1waBBVlFYgZdAmtwO05Z7RW7SqgSDvbgvoIhLQzBgaMaLcIdBj_u6UjKcIDCjvFdtTbu87KMUfrocju7Sdy_aWY4/s640/blogger-image-2119156792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h89exEup3HqhHd1n6bx1ezNfZYUdKpKd63Sg67KyB0oViUNgBwQ1waBBVlFYgZdAmtwO05Z7RW7SqgSDvbgvoIhLQzBgaMaLcIdBj_u6UjKcIDCjvFdtTbu87KMUfrocju7Sdy_aWY4/s640/blogger-image-2119156792.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter, 3-years old at the time in 2015, looking at the playground behind the fence.</td></tr>
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I'm just thankful my four-year old daughter will be able to play at this playground that looks positively awesome.<br />
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The plan calls for the park space to be made mostly up of the playground itself, plus some picnic table areas beside a small lawn. The most intriguing, or unusual features are the willow huts. The playground went through two rounds of design processes and outreach. Kelley Kahn, a senior project planner with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency who worked on Mission Bay, indicated that during the second outreach phase in 2010, more residents were already living in Mission Bay and consequently could provide input as actual residents of the neighborhood. Earlier design outreach was made before any residential buildings even existed in the new neighborhood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKrr8blxg5FE0zs5DN2SCN6POxXRTQH_f3MiD_plN1X1GOuP6ay88FYVws4pes7xqMOyHMhfqPyJrb1hkNyb7av9Qbp1ov0frEBchlqxE6V04Bk72qhF4S2b5dJN4QHgP6rMIh7lJJJQ/s1600/IMG_4990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKrr8blxg5FE0zs5DN2SCN6POxXRTQH_f3MiD_plN1X1GOuP6ay88FYVws4pes7xqMOyHMhfqPyJrb1hkNyb7av9Qbp1ov0frEBchlqxE6V04Bk72qhF4S2b5dJN4QHgP6rMIh7lJJJQ/s640/IMG_4990.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park signage with lawn and playground surrounded by new medium rise housing. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last piece being taken away on July 1, 2016 at Mission Bay Kid's Park. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcPng2yJ_-Owhxk8BVCL7Z3n4dy2f8tm4fv1Qx_zcfP8AKOX-_Ftj19I6x3U_V_XHRCCLVulaoB84k2RuWpzNAtPSn9JbIt-MNAEaIYjG71yVMMmLKnvSJyokF24UKrBaXhFF0jxMRA8/s640/blogger-image-2099753272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcPng2yJ_-Owhxk8BVCL7Z3n4dy2f8tm4fv1Qx_zcfP8AKOX-_Ftj19I6x3U_V_XHRCCLVulaoB84k2RuWpzNAtPSn9JbIt-MNAEaIYjG71yVMMmLKnvSJyokF24UKrBaXhFF0jxMRA8/s640/blogger-image-2099753272.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sitting spinner. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u0xhsVyEjSvbYUBm7P7fY4ovYXUY8iWZa1LZSPnTrCRd1jyJvJsamAmU9gZakbQCMr3PLS7bpU7hY8NTp3TSclCVNTXue4aDAwjBz9UFhnNpKtnuFBDSrOhGuOdBf2FpOQvvb4XWaFQ/s640/blogger-image--1968587663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u0xhsVyEjSvbYUBm7P7fY4ovYXUY8iWZa1LZSPnTrCRd1jyJvJsamAmU9gZakbQCMr3PLS7bpU7hY8NTp3TSclCVNTXue4aDAwjBz9UFhnNpKtnuFBDSrOhGuOdBf2FpOQvvb4XWaFQ/s640/blogger-image--1968587663.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Park play equipment and formal playground fencing surrounded by new medium rise housing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u0xhsVyEjSvbYUBm7P7fY4ovYXUY8iWZa1LZSPnTrCRd1jyJvJsamAmU9gZakbQCMr3PLS7bpU7hY8NTp3TSclCVNTXue4aDAwjBz9UFhnNpKtnuFBDSrOhGuOdBf2FpOQvvb4XWaFQ/s640/blogger-image--1968587663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_sRjQN3PInx3xe2_BY-0yy5RSDNLrCZdSsQJmaaPOAXd2AkZkVbLpbn2JSWOClNdzgXUoMghkMAH0KeETFOriKGfak48FlS7UxrqreByDGwpPvXRpnh16JpNV9N-TZFzQHDzqFapjdI/s640/blogger-image--210011770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_sRjQN3PInx3xe2_BY-0yy5RSDNLrCZdSsQJmaaPOAXd2AkZkVbLpbn2JSWOClNdzgXUoMghkMAH0KeETFOriKGfak48FlS7UxrqreByDGwpPvXRpnh16JpNV9N-TZFzQHDzqFapjdI/s640/blogger-image--210011770.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Willow huts with picnic tables and surrounding new housing developments. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YQ7Rm_ZGxPrDTI_WTfNyrDaZS6lo8ZkLYf5MwraWvhyphenhyphen9HR5Yv1UicFKIH1Ms3Xbs_wmTWM3140_pdkuTLqi6ROY0iOlQ3mouh1JN-4gNtW4Pwsfrq2DG0YWZCwuMafdlAiasmjRMxxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-30+at+11.11.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YQ7Rm_ZGxPrDTI_WTfNyrDaZS6lo8ZkLYf5MwraWvhyphenhyphen9HR5Yv1UicFKIH1Ms3Xbs_wmTWM3140_pdkuTLqi6ROY0iOlQ3mouh1JN-4gNtW4Pwsfrq2DG0YWZCwuMafdlAiasmjRMxxA/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-06-30+at+11.11.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park design. Source: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RHAA-Landscape-Architects-121989107814817/?fref=nf">RHAA</a></td></tr>
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At one point, according to some reports, local folks itching to use the seemingly ready park used wire cutters to get into the park. Another time, as I noted when I passed by one day, the park fencing around the playground had been knocked over. I didn't see anyone inside, but can only presume someone had knocked over the fencing to get access to the playground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOYG78fsJWCCSGzyXVEaq0ulULMPME1cvSiEZad2SiYeiM0e9T532fY4S9ZhqVfTUhaASh32CeEuR6a0avOOww-V9sXtuttT-jzBBA02tzhaQuFm6Qasv92vqlsgm6hyFG-Y2SP5xaOs/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOYG78fsJWCCSGzyXVEaq0ulULMPME1cvSiEZad2SiYeiM0e9T532fY4S9ZhqVfTUhaASh32CeEuR6a0avOOww-V9sXtuttT-jzBBA02tzhaQuFm6Qasv92vqlsgm6hyFG-Y2SP5xaOs/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park temporary fencing knocked over by a person, or possibly the wind. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Mariposa Park</h3>
<a href="http://www.potreroview.net/mariposa-park-set-to-open/">Mariposa Park</a> off of Mariposa Street at I-280 was originally planned to be a flexible use open space with a large lawn. Later when it was determined that the UCSF Children's Hospital would be located there, some play structures and picnic spaces were made part of the design.<br />
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Unfortunately this park is not open yet either. Construction of the Owens Street extension to Mariposa Street appears to be completed. However the street is still closed with fencing around the street and the new park. Maybe the park is closed because of similar transfer of this land to the city issues. Note that the offramp from I-280 to Mariposa is being slightly widened and still under construction. Could this be why. Not sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9i8sZQ4Q9xUvGhuO96C6veHmdgXkMRpobG2KvFHwe-t1jxo_LDb4TCCCB30amHKvcYvcuS6jzc1OzflO9IuZfdOX0ukE4lyM-wyUXq-D2kqnETjX94a9QQTUtI0sJgCmRsjTojakXy8c/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9i8sZQ4Q9xUvGhuO96C6veHmdgXkMRpobG2KvFHwe-t1jxo_LDb4TCCCB30amHKvcYvcuS6jzc1OzflO9IuZfdOX0ukE4lyM-wyUXq-D2kqnETjX94a9QQTUtI0sJgCmRsjTojakXy8c/s400/IMG_2553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariposa Park with a small play area in magenta and blue colors. Image: Urban Life Signs/Brian Stokle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp-jv6SFCX_3N10Nm6n-svKb3oy4qo9QpCg65P61sIuGxaBSYVvdIT0Pbgs_j2hP5hd9kIjyPuewnAalrfkSlYz1aYTUBRnRi94utOr2vCcJjPCKH1OOeA0W2lwE-sjACQXWpEbp2nh4/s1600/IMG_6875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp-jv6SFCX_3N10Nm6n-svKb3oy4qo9QpCg65P61sIuGxaBSYVvdIT0Pbgs_j2hP5hd9kIjyPuewnAalrfkSlYz1aYTUBRnRi94utOr2vCcJjPCKH1OOeA0W2lwE-sjACQXWpEbp2nh4/s640/IMG_6875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariposa Park's main lawn with nearby UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mariposa Park's still fenced off. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw26j7gwnPH-oAhiMzjAAxx_bbOqFqJBOu6iPQiPBaEx6QT3kL3MuzDAsHAv-ypXhmudZBpK5FSByD_bHWbCjHZH9grZ7L_mk7ZewitltGsDfi_ItbnecqV5ijj6IgAywTjzaUcW5rLkU/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw26j7gwnPH-oAhiMzjAAxx_bbOqFqJBOu6iPQiPBaEx6QT3kL3MuzDAsHAv-ypXhmudZBpK5FSByD_bHWbCjHZH9grZ7L_mk7ZewitltGsDfi_ItbnecqV5ijj6IgAywTjzaUcW5rLkU/s640/IMG_2567.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mariposa Park's sign with UCSF Mission Bay Medical Center parking in background. Image: Brian Stokle/Urban Life Signs</span></td></tr>
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</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-28671942385589843822016-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:002016-06-30T16:54:47.666-07:00Expanding our Rail Network while Saving it from the Seas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Sea Level Rise - East Bay Transportation</b><br />
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Sea Level Rise and Climate Change. Most of us in the Bay Area
seem to believe it's happening, know we need to reduce carbon emissions and need
to get ready for rising seas. Unfortunately, apart from a few examples, we're actually
not doing much in the way of physically getting ready for rising seas.</div>
<br />
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The Bay Area's transportation infrastructure is
significantly threatened by sea level rise. All three major airports are at or
near sea level. Much of our freeway system is close to the sea (I-80, Hwy 101,
I-880). The Port of Oakland, and many pieces of our rail and transit system are
under threat. Virtually all of this infrastructure was built before sea level
rise was known or understood.</div>
<br />
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However, we must get ready for the coming higher storm
surges and sea rise, to protect our infrastructure – for without our
transportation system, we cannot function as an economy or an interconnected
regional society.</div>
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How can we ensure that our 100-year investment in new rail
won't be squandered by the lack of sea level rise preparedness? (You don't put
on your seat belt in a car because you think you'll have a car crash - but you
do want to be safer in case it does happen. With a 100-year investment you
better not place your investment where you know it will be flooded someday.)
Preparing for sea level rise must be treated just as we prepare for earthquakes
– as an inevitable reality that we prepare for by investing in stronger buildings
and infrastructure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One way to ensure that our infrastructure is safer would be
to create redundancies where duplicate infrastructure is needed anyway. In the
case of mass transit, the Bay Area clearly needs more capacity and service. Building
a Second Transbay Crossing is one of those redundancies we need. A new “tube”
and associated rail approaching the crossing would also provide a backup tunnel
to repair the first one, and offer late night service.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlfiUthapaJ0SZlNgGrVEEFOdBnsrveQyBt9eHSThQmb_Iu9n98eJnHZvrd5kvjauc_HtnBc16ZnGqUj5AxKDTf-sDMUsir1ZWfk5m71EJ9cUqiWi9HX46Ix-MPs24efCJeqcxauUUgc/s1600/SurgingSeas_Oakland_8ft.jpg+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlfiUthapaJ0SZlNgGrVEEFOdBnsrveQyBt9eHSThQmb_Iu9n98eJnHZvrd5kvjauc_HtnBc16ZnGqUj5AxKDTf-sDMUsir1ZWfk5m71EJ9cUqiWi9HX46Ix-MPs24efCJeqcxauUUgc/s640/SurgingSeas_Oakland_8ft.jpg+copy.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rough shoreline of 8 foot sea level rise from San Leandro north to Berkeley. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Source image: Surging Seas <a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/</a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Rail Segments at Risk of Flooding</h3>
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Focusing our attention on rail and
on Oakland, we find that several segments of both BART and the freight rail
infrastructure are at risk from sea rise. Although predictions indicate sea
level may only rise 6 inches to 2 feet in the next 80 years, some have said it
may go as high as 4 to 6 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feet</i>. With
infrastructure that should last 100 or more years, it is much safer to
build assuming seas will rise on the higher end of the range.
If we roll the dice and hope for a 2 feet rise, but get 6 feet sea rise
we have squandered BILLIONS of dollars.</div>
<br />
<b>BART</b><br />
Although BART is elevated in many sections, it also goes underground and at ground level in a few spots. BART is at grade when it passes I-880 between Lake Merritt and Fruitvale. In addition it is momentarily at grade where it enters the Transbay Tube at the Port of Oakland. Although elevated in segments, areas that may flood would still affect the train as the columns holding up the aerial tracks were not build to withstand water inundation and wave action. The tracks near Oakland Coliseum are in a zone that would be flooded if storm surges rose 8 feet even though the tracks would be above the water.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDfmuHZkplORFGEJ8DfQ7gihyphenhyphenodQwCKBHuA-_QfODQ3ItJxcjfo98AZ2lW7XkTovcanl1mhE_FqczPq8vjxpR9SIl5eZIHLsAt7a_836m3SsRpEi7zVvjd6x4vUtWvhb6tcF_WRsDMz8/s640/blogger-image-643561780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDfmuHZkplORFGEJ8DfQ7gihyphenhyphenodQwCKBHuA-_QfODQ3ItJxcjfo98AZ2lW7XkTovcanl1mhE_FqczPq8vjxpR9SIl5eZIHLsAt7a_836m3SsRpEi7zVvjd6x4vUtWvhb6tcF_WRsDMz8/s640/blogger-image-643561780.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Image: Jamison Wieser</div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><br /></b>
<b>CAPITAL CORRIDOR</b><br />
Much of the Capitol Corridor follows the shoreline - at sea level - all the way from Martinez to San Jose, with a few spots in Richmond and between San Leandro and Fremont where it is less vulnerable. In Berkeley and Oakland, the corridor is at risk from 8 feet sea rise north of Berkeley Station at University, from Emeryville station south all the way to 23rd Ave, and from High Street to just south of Hegenberger Road. These are very long segments, with lots of business, homes, infrastructure and industry surrounding the rail.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>SOLUTION</b><br />
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In planning for a new 2nd
Transbay Crossing, let's make sure the new crossing and approaching do not go
through sea rise zones. Simple idea. Sounds impossible under today's political
climate, but if you really think about it, it's the most prudent and right
thing to do.</span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
BART Solution</h3>
<b>Eastlake Tunnel: </b>Seeing that the BART Green/Blue Line segment is at risk near
the Oakland estuary, I propose the Eastlake
Tunnel<b> </b>to<b> </b>serve the highly dense
Eastlake neighborhood with the rail spurring north of Fruitvale, avoiding sea
level rise affected zones and passing through higher elevation zones including
Eastlake, Downtown Oakland, and the I-980 Corridor. Other Oakland corridor options
could follow 14th St, Franklin or Madison. However, 980 is the only alignment
that is all of the listed items:<br />
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>above 8' sea rise</li>
<li>has transfer to existing BART (19th St Oakland)</li>
<li>creates new opportunity downtown station</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr45THyc3C-TUfrlX_EENXjRIA8CMccU6lr0cB_fIFislU9hc8zwziVHhRj2Ah2vpDCT1wKGDSagN7LRVPmw2SQzImj106qlun5zCDJJXSZPWQutaYqUTekmr8Ez9fFC1smaRzDo9iBs/s1600/SurgingSeas_JackLondonEstuary_8ft+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr45THyc3C-TUfrlX_EENXjRIA8CMccU6lr0cB_fIFislU9hc8zwziVHhRj2Ah2vpDCT1wKGDSagN7LRVPmw2SQzImj106qlun5zCDJJXSZPWQutaYqUTekmr8Ez9fFC1smaRzDo9iBs/s640/SurgingSeas_JackLondonEstuary_8ft+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Routing of new Eastlake San Antonio Tunnel. Image: Rail by Urban Life Signs, Sea Level Rise map by Surging Seas <a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></a></div>
<b>Coliseum Sea Protection: </b>The Oakland Coliseum area is at risk. Building an elevated rail lane staring further south from 98th Ave, although advantageous, would be much more expensive and disruptive. At this point, when most people believe in Sea Level Rise (SLR) but don't act on it and don't fund ways to address it, this alignment is less plausible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead, the elevated segment at Coliseum should be fortified or armored in such a way that the elevated rail can withstand sea rise, with its waves and eventual permanent flooding of the land. This would seem to be doable, and could be done at a later point closer to the time when this area is threatened.</div>
<div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Capitol Corridor Solution</b></h3>
</div>
<div>
Addressing sea rise for the Capitol Corridor and Union Pacific (freight) rail corridors is a bigger challenge but possibly even more important. Maintaining the Port of Oakland is critical, and just as critical is the rail access to the port. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>San Pablo Emeryville Tunnel</b></div>
<div>
Creating a new commuter rail tunnel from Emeryville to 980 under San Pablo Ave would put passenger trains under dryer land, and separate freight and passenger rail. Although current rail in Emeryville south of Powell St is on the 8' foot elevation, it could still be defendable, and would allow freight to create its own armoring of rail to the port.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The San Pablo Emeryville Tunnel would lead to the 980 transit tunnel and the 14th St Station there, providing access to Downtown Oakland.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moving south, rail could follow one of two alternatives: one sufficient, the other ambitious.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Sufficient: </b>After 980, the commuter rail tunnel could turn east under 5th St or the current I-880, then follow the existing right of way east of the Lake Merritt inlet but now on top of a levee, or as a tunnel under 12th Ave, until it reaches higher ground east of 23rd Ave. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Ambitious: </b>After 980, the commuter rail tunnel could continue deep and south under Alameda Island, but then emerge on Bay Farm Island as part of a new levee there to protect the Oakland Airport. The line would continue south and finally reconnect with existing rail near Marina Boulevard and Dolittle Drive in San Leandro. The levee would help protect the airport and provide a new separate rail line that accesses the airport, in addition to Alameda Island if it is protected.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzz4JcofnAVg24IbI14okHe4aRQmA65Iwg-9_auYEaE3pwPhNUhksqR6-9MtK9YqeVK_w_IIEaIpWu06du1RkKofbHwbvMrgDaN4nnc8r0BhbXEMl9sL8YfjX2bz87BsPjoYRdxHdQ6A/s1600/SurgingSeas_Oakland_8ft_AirportSeawall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzz4JcofnAVg24IbI14okHe4aRQmA65Iwg-9_auYEaE3pwPhNUhksqR6-9MtK9YqeVK_w_IIEaIpWu06du1RkKofbHwbvMrgDaN4nnc8r0BhbXEMl9sL8YfjX2bz87BsPjoYRdxHdQ6A/s640/SurgingSeas_Oakland_8ft_AirportSeawall.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adapted sea rise map with Alameda Bay Farm Island Levee. Sea level rise background map by Surging Seas. <a href="http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Although building redundant rail lines like an Eastlake
Tunnel or a Alameda Bay Farm Island line are very expensive, the expense of a flooded, an inoperable existing
system is even more expensive. Let’s learn our lesson from earthquake
preparedness and earthquake design and show that we can make the investments to
remain a resilient place in spite of sea level rise. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-15596620469094563822016-04-30T23:59:00.001-07:002016-05-01T21:09:24.433-07:00Naming a train station should not be writing a novel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've lived in a number of cities with subway or metro systems. Stations most often have a basic name that fits one of the following criteria where the station is:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>neighborhood name</li>
<li>significant nearby landmark or regional facility</li>
<li>cross streets. </li>
</ul>
When I lived in Paris, my station was Breguet Sabin because <i>rue Breguet</i> and <i>rue Sabin</i> met at the metro station entrance. However, sometimes, the station name gets a bit long winded, especially when it includes very long names or more than two street or place names. In the past 20 years, BART has been changing a few station names into "novel" names. Let's take a look at some station names some "proposed" #novelstationnames . <br />
<br />
When I lived in New York City, my stop was named 116th St/Columbia University. The stop was located at the intersection of 116th St and Broadway and was immediately adjacent to the university, which is a major destination for students, faculty, staff, as well as folks visiting the campus on business. Broadway wasn't part of the name because the 1-Line follows Broadway with many stops on it. It wouldn't be very helpful if <i>every</i> stop included Broadway in the name. (Imagine saying, I'll meet you at the 72 St-Broadway station, then we can take it to the meeting at 86th St-Broadway station, then go to a have lunch at a place near the 125th St-Broadway station.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihGaBDzr4_GwNYGGmi3UZqbXA8nb0I_mZEfTZJHOVu4-YsHx1NAuTS2tB0LzsxWF6qRu3N9qPzRxST4M4mmysNmTTlehhMsq98HyCdVDTAnwFMxEzBqmQux76fJrmoEXQpLiPM1FYJaI/s1600/69254354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihGaBDzr4_GwNYGGmi3UZqbXA8nb0I_mZEfTZJHOVu4-YsHx1NAuTS2tB0LzsxWF6qRu3N9qPzRxST4M4mmysNmTTlehhMsq98HyCdVDTAnwFMxEzBqmQux76fJrmoEXQpLiPM1FYJaI/s640/69254354.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://avecunaccent.canalblog.com/archives/2011/10/22/22388112.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QCM60cvtClkWE_e3KsnBVI03Od0sSy1SUbD1YgQrTgl0xe1Zgbmf0UbPFsz0ItBM_rCNEC4jISJOcLJWx_IU3xRFB7r1Yb8zw6CgG1UJngH-dqokfQjuQzrA9-vx_jF8j5tgWZzmq0o/s1600/index.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QCM60cvtClkWE_e3KsnBVI03Od0sSy1SUbD1YgQrTgl0xe1Zgbmf0UbPFsz0ItBM_rCNEC4jISJOcLJWx_IU3xRFB7r1Yb8zw6CgG1UJngH-dqokfQjuQzrA9-vx_jF8j5tgWZzmq0o/s1600/index.jpe" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://subwaynut.com/california/bart/pleasant_hill/p3.php</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, in my 14 years in San Francisco, I've used almost every station to get to and from for work or home.So I know the stations and neighborhoods pretty well. Powell St station is at Powell St. Makes sense. However it is near a major destination, Union Square, and south of Market, there is no Powell St station. Should it really be called Powell St/5th St, or Fifth St/Powell or Powell St/5th St/Union Square/Moscone... which it seems would be what BART would name it if they created the station today.<br />
<br />
In all seriousness, I think we should have short station names that are easy to say, and easy to read, yet help a new traveler get their bearings of where the station is. I think the New York City Subway has it best when they name a station the cross street (e.g. Eighth Street), but has a secondary name in smaller font on the station walls. This secondary name, (e.g. New York City) should not show up in the station map, but it should show up in a station web site. Below are a few examples for the Bay Area.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Powell St</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Union Square</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Berkeley</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">University of California</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-omEc-mia8nY9jUbtjXkoY7NwXBriND37G8Tx39O5xByaC4LPwrtLRda22R0a-TfZ011Jk_iDOjynkld8OdxqPgw83zdz7T4W46H3m23I_Iqfqxbe2gVKkpY3F12V1fKAfvCNo3XKDw/s1600/800px-66th_Street_Lincoln_Center_IRT_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-omEc-mia8nY9jUbtjXkoY7NwXBriND37G8Tx39O5xByaC4LPwrtLRda22R0a-TfZ011Jk_iDOjynkld8OdxqPgw83zdz7T4W46H3m23I_Iqfqxbe2gVKkpY3F12V1fKAfvCNo3XKDw/s400/800px-66th_Street_Lincoln_Center_IRT_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">66th St Station with secondary name "Lincoln Center". Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:66th_Street_Lincoln_Center_IRT_1.JPG">Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Below are a few "suggestions" of some "informative" "novel" station names that might be confused with an epic poem, or a brochure for the latest suburban sprawl neighborhood like the The Palms at East Saint Francis Wood. Some comments are interspersed in the names<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>East Bay - Coastal</b></span></u> <br />
<b>Richmond</b> (8 characters)<br />
<i>Richmond Civic Center/Amtrak Intermodal (39 characters)</i>. Could also be Richmond / MacDonald<br />
<br />
<b>El Cerrito Del Norte</b> (20 characters)<b><br /></b><br />
already a long name, but understandable that with two El Cerrito stations they need to be distinguished. How about - <i>El Cerrito Cutting San Pablo (28 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>El Cerrito Plaza </b>(16 characters)<br />
<i>El Cerrito Plaza/Albany Hill (28 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>North Berkeley</b> (14 characters)<br />
Ironically North Berkeley station is really in Central Berkeley. Maybe a few more compass points in the name will help the epic quality of this suburban underground station built in a streetcar suburb.<br />
<i>North Berkeley/South Albany/Westbrae (36 characters)</i><br />
<br />
A full list of all BART station alternative names is after the break.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Downtown Berkeley </b> (17 characters)<br />
Originally titled "Berkeley" when BART opened. The station was renamed "Downtown Berkeley in the 1990s I believe. Not sure if this was pushed by downtown business boosters, or based on complaints that people got off at the North Berkeley station accidentally due to confusion between North Berkeley and simply "Berkeley".<br />
UC Berkeley is so significant and populous, yet it is ignored in the name.<br />
<i>Downtown Berkeley / University of California (44 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Ashby</b> (5 characters)<br />
There's no love for cross streets at this station. How about <i>Ashby/Adeline</i> or better yet <i>Ashby/Ed Roberts Center at Bushrod (34 characters)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>MacArthur </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>MacArthur/40th Street (21 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>19th St Oakland </b>(15 characters)<br />
<i>19th St / Uptown Oakland (24 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>12th St Oakland City Center </b>(27 characters)<br />
The original long name station name. In fact it seems to have done a switcharoo on the order of its name, similar to West Oakland. No need to enhance this long name... unless a new high rise goes up called "of the East Bay"<br />
<i>12th St Oakland Center of the East Bay (38 characters)</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtFXuqBkXo7heMBUKXIFRo_qjY9XEpJBDo9sYghKa6ngCXNsoI4-eXvHh0tlwK0uuNlojj6A5nXCZgCnmfld7I-5Eij1U79yhOdKP4edngptl3q0buLCKCDskma0rZG1RpquUzcjE72E/s1600/oakland_city_center_12_st2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtFXuqBkXo7heMBUKXIFRo_qjY9XEpJBDo9sYghKa6ngCXNsoI4-eXvHh0tlwK0uuNlojj6A5nXCZgCnmfld7I-5Eij1U79yhOdKP4edngptl3q0buLCKCDskma0rZG1RpquUzcjE72E/s640/oakland_city_center_12_st2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Jeremiah Cox, http://subwaynut.com/california/bart/oakland_city_center_12_st/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNHZYIRTL2EwiHxPVDCN6E4qQf9JGUca-lTmPqYPCurUqFMOnAM-cEMyLCb-aXSSTDKJvyn4EcipaUi9USB9y9mhcH1HkDofEFtk7ibbV7s9yS8UcGganJiXkzQwzweUJqKwppbH5USM/s1600/BART+Original+System+map+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNHZYIRTL2EwiHxPVDCN6E4qQf9JGUca-lTmPqYPCurUqFMOnAM-cEMyLCb-aXSSTDKJvyn4EcipaUi9USB9y9mhcH1HkDofEFtk7ibbV7s9yS8UcGganJiXkzQwzweUJqKwppbH5USM/s640/BART+Original+System+map+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapshot of original BART map including "Oakland West" station name. Source: <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/~alaink/">Alain Kornhauser</a>, Operations Research & Financial Engineering, Princeton University</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>West Oakland </b>(12 characters)<br />
Originally opened as Oakland West. Rumor
is that giving it this name was more "palatable" and was more
"optimistic". However, I don't have any proof of why the neighborhood of
West Oakland got the inverted name.<br />
<i>West Oakland / Port of Oakland (30 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Lake Merritt</b> (12 characters)<br />
<i>Lake Merritt/Chinatown/too far from Eastlake (44 characters)</i><br />
<i> </i><b><br /></b><br />
<b>Fruitvale </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Fruitvale/Alameda Island East (29 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Coliseum </b>(8 characters)<br />
<i>The station formerly known as Coliseum</i><i>/Oakland Airport (54 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>San Leandro </b>(11 characters)<br />
Why should Downtown Berkeley be the only "Downtown". Other stops are in a downtown like Richmond, Hayward, the future Fremont Downtown (more on that below), sort of in Walnut Creek, and definitely in Concord and Millbrae.<br />
<i>Downtown San Leandro (20 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Bay Fair </b>(8 characters)<br />
<i>Bay Fair Mall/Bayfair Center/FairBay Plaza at the crossings with no need for name consistency charm (99 characters)</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hayward </b>(7 characters)<br />
<i>Downtown Hayward that's not Amtrak Hayward (42 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>South Hayward </b>(13 characters)<br />
<i>South Hayward/Tennyson (22 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Union City </b>(10 characters)<br />
<i>Union City future Intermodal Station (36 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Fremont </b>(7 characters)<br />
Fremont is a city incorporated from combining several developments and small towns. It never had a downtown - not even when BART started service in the 1970s. Now the city is ambitiously attempting <a href="https://www.fremont.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27812">to create a Downtown </a>from scratch from the parking lots near the BART station and the adjacent hospital.<br />
<i>(Downtown) Fremont (18 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Warm Springs </b>(12 characters)<br />
BART recently announced that this soon to open station would be officially called "Warm Springs/South Fremont". I didn't even know that South Fremont was a term before this. I should have known that BART would not be able to name a station without a slash in it. Watch out Milpitas and Berryessa.<br />
<i>Warm Spring / South Fremont / Cold Winter / North Milpitas (59 characters)</i> <br />
<br />
<b>Milpitas </b>(8 characters)<br />
Based on the "need" to have multiple names in station names, Milpitas will likely become "Milpitas/Great Mall", which would be fantastic so that folks taking the VTA light rail would get off at the Great Mall/Main station thinking they would transfer to BART, but no, that's at the Montague Station. My preference is for a more poetic name that rolls off the tongue that has a geographic reference to it. All stations should have at least one of these words in them: Center, Downtown, Plaza, North, South, East or West. <br />
<i>South Milpitas at the Great Mall (of the Bay Area) (50 characters)</i><br />
<b> </b> <br />
<b>Berryessa </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Berryessa Food Market (21 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>San Francisco & Peninsula Lines</b></span></u><br />
<br />
<b>Embarcadero </b>(11 characters)<br />
Seeing that 12th Oakland City Center was named after a shopping center that came about through redevelopment, why shouldn't the Embarcadero get the same treatment? We need more stations adding "Center" into their names.<br />
<i>Embarcadero Center/Ferry Building (33 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Montgomery St </b>(13 characters)<br />
Most folks I know drop the "Street" part of this station name. Bus since we're talking about streets, and station names providing a sense of location, this station is actually at Montgomery <i>and </i>New Montgomery. You see where I'm going with this.<br />
<i>New Montgomery St/Montgomery St/<a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/05/ped-tunnel-vision.html">Transbay Transit Center</a> (55 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Powell St </b>(9 characters)<br />
There's a mall there. Let's make sure its name is in the title. The Union Square addition would help a lot of tourists taking the train in from the airport and calm their worries of whether or not their arriving at the right station. Good thing the <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2012/06/barts-powell-street-station-now-goes-to.html">station wayfinding signs point them to Union Square</a> now.<b> </b><br />
<i>Powell St/Union Square/San Francisco Centre (43 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Civic Center/UN Plaza </b>(21 characters)<br />
Originally simply called Civic Center. When I was a kid and visited San Francisco I thought this must be an exciting place. It was the CENTER or the city! And it's where the great leaders of the city made decisions.<br />
UN Plaza, a place I'm glad exists, at least in name, is not a significant destination in my eyes. However, it does have a farmer's Market. Adding UN Plaza to the station name added little wayfinding benefit and only lengthened the name when it didn't need to be.<br />
<i>Civic Center/UN Plaza/Tenderloin (32 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>16th St Mission </b>(15 characters)<br />
Where you can get your "mission" on.<br />
<i>16th St Mission/Mission Dolores/Mission Bay (43 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>24th St Mission </b>(15 characters)<br />
<i>24th St Mission/Calle 24/Noe Valley/LaLengua (45 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Glen Park </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Glen Park/Sunnyside/Diamond Heights (35 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Balboa Park </b>(11 characters)<br />
<i>Geneva Ocean/Balboa Park/City College (37 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Daly City </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Daly City/Westlake/Your Muni Fast Pass doesn't work here (56 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Colma </b>(5 characters)<br />
<i>Colma/South Daly City (21 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>South San Francisco </b>(19 characters)<br />
<i>South San Francisco BART Station at Kaiser (42 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>San Bruno </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>San Bruno BART Station at the loading dock of Tanforan, and don't confuse it with San Bruno Caltrain (100 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>San Francisco International Airport </b>(35 characters)<br />
An understandably long name - however the platform message signs luckily only call the station SFO Airport. With that said, let's give the station name a little flair.<br />
<i>San Francisco Airport in the International Terminal with a third ghost track (76 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmod0eTPy2F0MT7MElPZpnhHbs1iQs4CxlnLaZyQ1WAfbaTuDbc84u07eCva-toszHQLhhnzb2JqgEZzDT0Fo6tF7o23VMnaQDVkX0ssFEJSIEbaCTqkxEgUdNIesHpUaBF2PENBPuD4k/s1600/tumblr_me67ifveKd1qj0j4fo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmod0eTPy2F0MT7MElPZpnhHbs1iQs4CxlnLaZyQ1WAfbaTuDbc84u07eCva-toszHQLhhnzb2JqgEZzDT0Fo6tF7o23VMnaQDVkX0ssFEJSIEbaCTqkxEgUdNIesHpUaBF2PENBPuD4k/s640/tumblr_me67ifveKd1qj0j4fo1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SFO's official name makes it the longest official station name with 35 characters. Source: <a href="http://1122xfilthy.tumblr.com/post/36697444431/sfo-bart">1122xfilthy</a> via Tumblr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Millbrae </b>(8 characters)<br />
<i>Millbrae - Hey this is the way to Caltrain (42 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inland East Bay</b></span></u><br />
<b>Rockridge </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Rockridge/Elmwood (17 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Orinda </b>(6 characters)<br />
<i>Orinda/JFK University/not centered on Moraga Way (48 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Lafayette </b>(9 characters)<br />
<i>Lafayette - a rural place (25 characters)</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Walnut Creek </b>(12 characters)<br />
<i>Downtown Adjacent Walnut Creek /Danville (40 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre </b>(33 characters)<br />
No real need for change here. This was the station name that made me throw up my arms and say, "Seriously! you need to rename this from a pleasant<b> </b>13 characters to a 30+ character name?<br />
<i>Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre (33 characters)</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qVY8PyvfUfiSb1vxC7JhX0XQZcOyPSeuW8lgfIrxbwvbfib1IO6_aA-efJjomvTUgz6kgz9n7glnJ8vComjuKngUDPuQwDh63If-b4AcvXVEyBIsk0JPc5k0Clwlo2hXgCCyu7lJBss/s1600/tumblr_mmbexkNc7S1qzj3k3o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qVY8PyvfUfiSb1vxC7JhX0XQZcOyPSeuW8lgfIrxbwvbfib1IO6_aA-efJjomvTUgz6kgz9n7glnJ8vComjuKngUDPuQwDh63If-b4AcvXVEyBIsk0JPc5k0Clwlo2hXgCCyu7lJBss/s1600/tumblr_mmbexkNc7S1qzj3k3o1_500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 33 characters in length, including spaces, Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Center station is the second longest station name in the BART system. Only a meek 13 characters before the "Centre" addition. Source: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Y6-UpTJr86/">Instagram Squinte6</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Concord </b>(7 characters)<br />
After exasperation with Pleasant Hill, I have no energy to rename this station. I still call the yellow line the Concord line because it was the original end of the line.<br />
<i>Concord (7 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>North Concord/Martinez </b>(22 characters)<br />
The station is 8 miles from Downtown Martinez and 4 miles to the closest City of Martinez land. I have no idea how station names are created, but this seems that the BART board was doing backflips to show Martinez that it cared, or the City of Martinez tricked BART into thinking the station was at the doorstep of their city.<br />
Seeing that 4-8 miles is the threshold for naming "nearby" destinations in a station name, let's include them all.<br />
<i>North Concord/Clyde/Martinez/Vine Hill/Concord/Pleasant Hill/Clayton </i>(NoCoClyMaV ConPHClay for short) <i>(68 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Pittsburg/Bay Point </b>(19 characters)<br />
<i>Pittsburg/Bay Point/Shore Acres (31 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Castro Valley </b>(13 characters)<br />
<i>Castro Valley/Redwood Rd (24 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>West Dublin/Pleasanton </b> (23 characters) <br />
Let's drop the confusion between the two Dublin/Pleasanton stations. Call the newer more westerly station a totally different name. Because there seems to be a bit of shopping center love in BART station names (think Bay Fair, Oakland City Center, El Cerrito Plaza), let's do it here.<br />
<i>Stoneridge Center (17 characters)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Dublin/Pleasanton </b> (18 characters) <br />
This is the longest justafiable name for a station. Located on the city boundary - you walk north of the station you're in Dublin. You walk south of the station you're in Pleasanton. <br />
<i>Dublin/Pleasanton (18 characters)</i></div>
Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182452014508393284.post-13849663281808186682016-03-30T09:35:00.000-07:002016-04-01T01:17:25.822-07:00The Mission Bay Tetris Rubiks Cube Rail Freeway Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tonight the San Francisco Planning Department will present
its very preliminary overview of the Railyard I-280 Boulevard Alternatives Study. I encourage you
to attend if you missed the first meeting. And if you are for better rail,
better pedestrian connections, and if you have concerns, or just want to
support, please go and be vocal. Don’t let one voice smother the other voices
in the room or in the conversation, even if we don’t all agree on something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab-second-community-meeting-tickets-22707946078"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meeting Details</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 DeHaro Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When: TONIGHT, March 30, 2016 from 6-8pm</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE35B4IM0KePWX_P4Xw1JZMsUpNO6EddIUFlEbSjLy13psrvFJGN3CSfgcUlr2PNDl-cJnu7YXCUrFMDD0iIsTy2FBjpAqose6nqjtkn4u_wlOLVCD65E597sdngfiqw2BIMtQ-wWkRM/s1600/DTX+Alignment+Optons_RAB_SF+Planning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE35B4IM0KePWX_P4Xw1JZMsUpNO6EddIUFlEbSjLy13psrvFJGN3CSfgcUlr2PNDl-cJnu7YXCUrFMDD0iIsTy2FBjpAqose6nqjtkn4u_wlOLVCD65E597sdngfiqw2BIMtQ-wWkRM/s640/DTX+Alignment+Optons_RAB_SF+Planning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">San Francisco Planning Department</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <a href="http://sf-planning.org/railyard-alternatives-and-i-280-boulevard-feasibility-study-rab">Railyard I-280 Boulevard Study</a> is a mouthful to say and
not easy to explain in a short sentence. But I’ll give it a try: The study is
looking at local and transportation networks in and around Mission Bay to build
a better rail tunnel to Downtown San Francisco, create safer access in and out
of Mission Bay by removing rail and freeway barriers in this growing
neighborhood. In addition the study looks to consider opening up land to new
housing, parks and office space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although much of the <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/demolition-of-one-mile-stretch-of-i-280-part-of-proposal-to-link-mission-bay-with-surrounding-area/">media attention</a> and the resistance to
this study has focused on the removal or “tearback” of 1 mile of I-280, most of
the study is really about the <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/03/uncrooking-san-franciscos-crookedest.html">rail tunnel</a> and the chance to better <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2015/01/next-monday-january-31-muni-officially.html">connect Mission Bay</a>, for both pedestrians, but even cars, into the rest of San
Francisco. So if you read reports about this project and they don’t mention
rail or a tunnel know that the article is only focusing on the folks screaming
the loudest, and not looking at the whole picture. In fact, most of the ideas
proposed in the report can be mix and matched – included or left out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">San Francisco was once a great industrial and ship building
city with many factories, railyards, warehouses and drydocks, including<a href="http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/how-bedraggled-303-acre-wasteland-became-the-citys-next-big-thing"> Mission Bay</a>. Railroad tracks
once coursed through much of the eastern neighborhoods of San Francisco on its
streets and onto its piers. In the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, some of these areas, have become new residential and employment neighborhoods with smatterings of
warehouse and industrial uses remaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the railroad tracks are paved over or ripped out. Now the T-Third
line rolls down Third Street, and voters approved to bring rail to the heart of
downtown San Francisco’s Transbay Center; currently under construction, the
rail tunnel not yet funded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With these changes comes the need to ensure that these new
neighborhoods are well connected into San Francisco’s grid and not separated,
as they once were when they were industrial. Likewise, reviewing the plans and
financing of a new rail tunnel to Downtown is necessary to move the project
forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">San Francisco’s Planning Department is addressing these
changes in and around the Mission Bay neighborhood with the Railyard I-280
Boulevard Feasibility Study. The study is looking at the three-dimensional landscape of
Mission Bay with its streets and rail on the ground, freeways and building
rising into the air, while water pipes and future trains run underground.
The report asks how to best move people, cars, bikes, <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2015/01/next-monday-january-31-muni-officially.html">buses</a> and trains safely and
efficiently through the area while also better connecting the new neighborhood
into the city through removing the historic barriers separating this former
industrial from its neighbors. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The study is also examining how to improve both local and regional
connections while also seeking opportunities for new housing, open space and jobs, all
the while consider the benefits and impacts of each component and the overall
plan.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLgmLgUeMgUqp8jANFW4cx45xIJfhVYt9Y4mqGknVzxbYmt-SLuf1hZc7Hl3ghTQwblhRNVUWXH9mRJpluKj-ZbadIcvf5Ogw6QcHnpndn_ZLqlRlNeiuYgN3-gDXNblBJOrPW4KsAvE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-03+at+9.38.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLgmLgUeMgUqp8jANFW4cx45xIJfhVYt9Y4mqGknVzxbYmt-SLuf1hZc7Hl3ghTQwblhRNVUWXH9mRJpluKj-ZbadIcvf5Ogw6QcHnpndn_ZLqlRlNeiuYgN3-gDXNblBJOrPW4KsAvE/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-03-03+at+9.38.13+PM.png" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLZnhJV7078jXU3lkuZucBU7dOm8XGKVyciNZwr7lT-h4AfP05OMziArNKo5Pk9auqq1h_KIxpA7v30UiR8Mkkcx0qnVrorNp3nj_zEmPI2N3ig9iuEoW7unKTqHDVKiPlYadrWFfpSM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-05+at+1.32.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLZnhJV7078jXU3lkuZucBU7dOm8XGKVyciNZwr7lT-h4AfP05OMziArNKo5Pk9auqq1h_KIxpA7v30UiR8Mkkcx0qnVrorNp3nj_zEmPI2N3ig9iuEoW7unKTqHDVKiPlYadrWFfpSM/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-03-05+at+1.32.08+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">History</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before going into the details of the new RAB study, let’s
review the recent planning and transportation history of the area. </span></div>
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<td style="border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="41"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1999</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">San Francisco voters passed <a href="http://www.bayrailalliance.org/san_francisco_prop_h_text">Proposition H</a> to “<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-size: 10.5pt;">extend the Caltrain line to a new or rebuilt regional transit station
in San Francisco to be located on the site of the Transbay Terminal at First
and Mission Streets.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The initiative also called for the City to pursue
electrification of the entire Caltrain line, and to consider adding new
stations in Bayview/Hunters Point and Visitacion Valley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The tunnel, called the Downtown Extension (DTX), will
connect the center of Downtown San Francisco with the 4<sup>th</sup> &
King Station as well as all Caltrain stations at points southward. </span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="41"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2009</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Studies began to examine how the Caltrain Railyard might
be redeveloped either through a deck or by removing the railyard altogether.</span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="41"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The city determined that the CA-HSR plan for San Francisco
would require a street underpass/trench to grade separate street users from frequent trains, and create a very inhospitable environment for pedestrians, cyclists,
and more. The underpass is also needed so cars can flow between neighborhoods without a crossing gate being down half the time for trains.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The city, in light of the grade separation challenges
along 7<sup>th</sup> St, began reconsidering where a Caltrain tunnel could be
built, in part to address the 16<sup>th</sup> St crossing, but also help
reconnect neighborhoods and potentially straighten the tunnel to improve
operations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">RAB study announced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HSR announces first phase of operations will be to the Bay
Area between Bakersfield and San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">RAB first public meeting</span></div>
</td>
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<o:p>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The RAB study is broken up into the following parts that all
focus on some element of transportation. Because each of these five elements
are somewhat independent of each other, but could benefit if planned together,
it’s a bit hard to wrap ones head around all the complexities and possibilities
of this project. After the list, I’ll try to break it down to a simple
analysis.</span></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Examine Downtown Rail Extension
(DTX) alignment and construction methods (cut & cover with mining or tunnel
boring) <i>(RAIL)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Create a loop track/extension to
the East Bay to enhance operational capacity at the Transbay Transit Center
<i>(RAIL)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make I-280 a boulevard <i>(AUTO)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reconfigure or relocate the 4<sup>th</sup>
& King Railyard to allow for development on the site <i>(RAIL and LAND USE)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Create placemaking, neighborhood
connectivity, employment and transit-oriented development opportunities
<i>(PEDESTRIAN, BIKE, and AUTO)</i></span></li>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Most of these elements are interchangeable and not dependent
on the other parts, but may deter or enhance the results.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Downtown Extension
(DTX)</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Townsend / 2<sup>nd</sup> Street<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Approved entire length, already designed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Length: 1.3 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Construction type: cut & cover, mined<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Reduces Caltrain operations during
construction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows reconstruction of 22<sup>nd</sup> St
Station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Option to reduce/relocate 4<sup>th</sup>/King
Railyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Created NEGATIVE 16<sup>th</sup> St &
Mission Bay Boulevard crossings, esp. for pedestrians & bikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.8pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ8euML8c05rG7qZUBH17gkPTczVp6U4Jcmo7A0noC5Eecj23unL7cvvVqou7SbhJmpJ5xbPfxqLaTe8nimdo4Xal7HrXdyFf47ODX-uQAiGwZ4Sx5tie6IVhJeectsJqKjL3ypJh81E/s1600/Caltrain+DTX_Townsend2nd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ8euML8c05rG7qZUBH17gkPTczVp6U4Jcmo7A0noC5Eecj23unL7cvvVqou7SbhJmpJ5xbPfxqLaTe8nimdo4Xal7HrXdyFf47ODX-uQAiGwZ4Sx5tie6IVhJeectsJqKjL3ypJh81E/s320/Caltrain+DTX_Townsend2nd.png" width="172" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.9pt;" valign="top" width="82"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pennsylvania Option<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 266.1pt;" valign="top" width="266"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Uses approved alignment plus follows 7<sup>th</sup>
Street and Pennsylvania St further south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Length: 2.75 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Construction type: bored tunnel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(likely)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Construct without affecting Caltrain
operations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows reconstruction of 22<sup>nd</sup> St
Station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Option to reconnect grid under I-280<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Option to reduce/relocate 4<sup>th</sup>/King
Railyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Potential impact to city utilities at 7<sup>th</sup>
St & Mission Bay Blvd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.8pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrUrifvzhog5VTZSiMjXefrrBy_0qJIj6CY7VAqVWRdGShuGnpGWOqUV8Ot_-papKfQ7g3UBEmTIEHav9mxL3HfVecjbg4Pcif9M_UKVHLR2ul59k-DtnHq5Z5lM3Bp5eKKcJkiBqnVk/s1600/Caltrain+DTX_Pennsylvania.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrUrifvzhog5VTZSiMjXefrrBy_0qJIj6CY7VAqVWRdGShuGnpGWOqUV8Ot_-papKfQ7g3UBEmTIEHav9mxL3HfVecjbg4Pcif9M_UKVHLR2ul59k-DtnHq5Z5lM3Bp5eKKcJkiBqnVk/s320/Caltrain+DTX_Pennsylvania.png" width="169" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="DTX_RAB_Pennsylvania.png"
style='width:81pt;height:152pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/sbudin/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image003.png"
o:title="DTX_RAB_Pennsylvania.png"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.9pt;" valign="top" width="82"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mission Bay / 3<sup>rd</sup> Street<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 266.1pt;" valign="top" width="266"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Uses approved alignment plus follows 3<sup>rd</sup>
Street further south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Length: 2.75 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Construction type: bored tunnel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(likely)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Construct without affecting Caltrain
operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mission Bay Station relocated to Third Street
directly below T-Third.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows reconstruction of 22<sup>nd</sup> St
Caltrain Station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Bypasses 4<sup>th</sup> & King Railyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Option to reconnect grid under I-280<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Option to reduce/relocate 4<sup>th</sup>/King
Railyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 94.8pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY1mmZxISNzo5OawJJQ6Zqx5OGhu9CMXsl1tvbqaNdc1X2LlmMJ-tDawuNogA4RRgjjtBrDMq5Yig49cZgLbH5Z9kAopNEZ6PrhveNZaakDpPiXYcNCPd7D0hjeMiZwTBRgofgYJor64/s1600/Caltrain+DTX_MissionBay3rd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY1mmZxISNzo5OawJJQ6Zqx5OGhu9CMXsl1tvbqaNdc1X2LlmMJ-tDawuNogA4RRgjjtBrDMq5Yig49cZgLbH5Z9kAopNEZ6PrhveNZaakDpPiXYcNCPd7D0hjeMiZwTBRgofgYJor64/s320/Caltrain+DTX_MissionBay3rd.png" width="163" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.9pt;" valign="top" width="82"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Phased<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 266.1pt;" valign="top" width="266"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not
included in the options, but one to consider is a phased tunnel. Build the
Townsend/2<sup>nd</sup> Street tunnel first, then when funds and planning is
in place, build the Pennsylvania Option to the portal of the Townsend/2<sup>nd</sup>
Tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Approved Phase 1; already designed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Length: Phase 1: 1.3 miles, Phase 2: 1.45 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Construction type: Phase 1: cut & cover, mined, Phase 2: bored tunnel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Allows Caltrain to reach Transbay Center sooner, but create benefits of longer tunnel once HSR service begins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -16.8px;">·</span><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -16.8px;"> </span>Reduces Caltrain operations during construction of Phase 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Allows reconstruction of 22<sup>nd</sup> St Station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Option to reduce/relocate 4<sup>th</sup>/King Railyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Created NEGATIVE 16<sup>th</sup> St & Mission Bay Boulevard crossings with Phase 1, esp. for pedestrians & bikes, but resolved in Phase 2</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -16.8px;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -16.8px;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.8px;">Option to reconnect grid under I-280 in Phase 2</span></span></div>
</td>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QiNxi5zoaVRHbyqZmh84AoX9VG8uhWdAOYg3vvEoUnG7tbYxViZv0lpPyAO4zg_B2DUAxa86PGgkpQbFPKaVd8iW_JJ4f2hpGtc5sKIg2UEp5et5vf0EH7NkJwM4-7CsHRsmNWtIWiM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-01+at+12.58.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QiNxi5zoaVRHbyqZmh84AoX9VG8uhWdAOYg3vvEoUnG7tbYxViZv0lpPyAO4zg_B2DUAxa86PGgkpQbFPKaVd8iW_JJ4f2hpGtc5sKIg2UEp5et5vf0EH7NkJwM4-7CsHRsmNWtIWiM/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-04-01+at+12.58.50+AM.png" width="181" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Transbay Loop or East
Bay Tunnel</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Current plans for train service to the Transbay Transit
Center (TTC or Transbay Center) call for a stub end station with trains going
in, stopping and backing out. This is the same as the current 4<sup>th</sup>
& King station. However stub end, or “terminal” stations are less efficient
than through or “pass through” stations because train operators must go from
the front of the train to the back of the train, which becomes the new front.
In addition, as there are no “tail” tracks at the Transbay Center, trains
cannot be moved away from the platform for cleaning or other small needs
between scheduled service runs. Most terminal stations have many extra tracks, like 4th & King, Union Station in Los Angeles, or Grand Central in New York City. However, the Transbay Center will only have six tracks in the station.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A through station would allow for more trains per hour to pass
through the stationf due to only dropping off and picking up
passengers. Cleaning and turning around the train can occur at a less busy
station – in this case when it returns to 4<sup>th</sup> & King or at an
Oakland station. Options that could only accommodate Caltrain but not HSR were
dropped. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The options are: </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Loops</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Steuart
Street Loop</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In
the Bay Loop</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Transbay Tunnel to East Bay</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Straight
between Mission and Howard</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pier
30/32 Steuart/In the Bay to East Bay</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Seawall
Lot 337/Pier 50 Mission Bay to East Bay</span></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv7J1t_EiG-035SEk_UYTDUf07WEB2Kr4jqH90v_OHVwTXy1z-OvIleHsDMQ-LeB0XuG1KworZqp5q50JN1_uDaIAmhQN4SxC0GaaKg0NhBSIBrkGyJHJbkBxpgooc_iDw0HjoDs2z54/s1600/Pages+from+rab_final-20160223_PublicMtg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv7J1t_EiG-035SEk_UYTDUf07WEB2Kr4jqH90v_OHVwTXy1z-OvIleHsDMQ-LeB0XuG1KworZqp5q50JN1_uDaIAmhQN4SxC0GaaKg0NhBSIBrkGyJHJbkBxpgooc_iDw0HjoDs2z54/s640/Pages+from+rab_final-20160223_PublicMtg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: San Francisco Planning Department</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Railyard
reconfiguration or relocation</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Railyards are used for storage, operations, and sometimes
maintenance. With San Francisco as the end station for Caltrain and high speed
rail, a railyard is needed for overnight storage at a minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The current Caltrain railyard could be kept or relocated. Being only 1.25 miles from the Transbay Center makes it ideally close, and the land already exists. However, relocating it would open of the land to other uses such as housing, office space, and allow for possible reconnecting of the street grid.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The options for the railyard included the following, plus <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2013/04/caltrain-rail-yard-hide-and-seek.html">my suggestions for railyard locations.</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Maintain for maintenance, storage and operations
(larger railyard)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Maintain for operations only (smaller railyard),
relocate maintenance and storage</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Alternate storage locations:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Bayview (3 miles)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Brisbane (6.5 miles)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Oakland (8 miles)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alameda (5 miles)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Note that the distance the distance between the railyard and the last station can significantly affect operational costs and operational flexibility. The closer the railyard is, taking trains in and out of service will take less time and cost less. The farther it is, the longer the "deadhead" run of the train is, the more time the train is moving, but making no income from riders.</span><br />
<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Redevelopment</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A smaller
railyard means more development potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span>A larger railyard means less developable land for housing, but better train operations and storage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pulling back the
I-280 Freeway</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I-280 currently ends at King St and at 6<sup>th</sup> St.
The study will examine the opportunities, constraints, pros and cons of pulling
back the freeway back to 16<sup>th</sup> Street or Mariposa Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Options included:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pull back to:</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->16<sup>th</sup>
St</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mariposa
Street</span></div>
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Chavez (not in original presentation, but suggested by member of public)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Not much detail presented. Need to study
implications on street and highway traffic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The greatest benefits to pulling back the freeway would seem to be improving the sense of connectivity between Mission Bay and the Design District, plus open up a little bit of land for development (housing or office) and some open space. However, the big opportunity for land is the Caltrain yard, not so much 280. Pulling the freeway back might also distribute traffic better to east-west destinations than under the current setup. However, it could more of a traffic tradeoff - better for SoMa, and King Street, but worse for 16th St and Potrero Hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A completely different idea would be to <a href="http://urbanlifesigns.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-edge-between-crazy-and-brilliant.html">reconnect I-280 with the Bay Bridge </a>and remove I-80, and the Central Freeway, but I won't go into that here.</span></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHGQjYu5KBHgIsbEZcxmxFlL17cLeT-VH4oS8_hq1K59A5weRtW1-b8DxAjH-silp-5LehZYfcRrDwX9OqRuZApSIMRIKMn4Pur6-a8xoJ7jrJ1SN_AI_vSM7KECFCFFfWaeuH0aZ2Zw/s1600/i-280-rend2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHGQjYu5KBHgIsbEZcxmxFlL17cLeT-VH4oS8_hq1K59A5weRtW1-b8DxAjH-silp-5LehZYfcRrDwX9OqRuZApSIMRIKMn4Pur6-a8xoJ7jrJ1SN_AI_vSM7KECFCFFfWaeuH0aZ2Zw/s640/i-280-rend2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocks and buildings that could be built if the freeway were replaced. Source: John G. Ellis, AIA RIBA and Mohammad Momin via <a href="http://bettercities.net/news-opinion/blogs/robert-steuteville/21850/freeway-free-vision-city">Better Cities</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rkVa4bG7DD9zPZ4vzc_GfWGRlyA5RGMuCs4cx1u5606X8xNieTxbGJIYDwP-SvTA1IQPQm8eBl5f3JHqLfm-X-dXsKvAxhqw0RCV1w7EuhVtXnQFDZvPgR-OF2-sshwMaR0mxXQj4Qw/s1600/Drone_MissionBay_RampWest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rkVa4bG7DD9zPZ4vzc_GfWGRlyA5RGMuCs4cx1u5606X8xNieTxbGJIYDwP-SvTA1IQPQm8eBl5f3JHqLfm-X-dXsKvAxhqw0RCV1w7EuhVtXnQFDZvPgR-OF2-sshwMaR0mxXQj4Qw/s640/Drone_MissionBay_RampWest.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of Mission Bay centered on the UCSF Medical Center. The rail tunnel could pass under Third St, or along the current alignment next to the I-280 freeway (background left).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I commend the city for working on these multiple
transportation and land use projects that interrelate and attempting to
coordinate their planning and possible implementation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of the four specific elements
listed above, this plan must consider the implications and interrelated effects
of the many other projects and plans, many of which are listed below:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Transbay Transit Center</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Caltrain Electrification</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">16<sup>th</sup> Street Project
(Muni Forward)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Central Subway</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2<sup>nd</sup> Transbay Crossing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Muni Tunnel Boring projects</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">High Speed Rail</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Central SoMa Plan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Warriors Arena (and AT&T Park)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pier 70</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HSR Railyard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">980 Vision</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Capitol Corridor Vision</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unfortunately there is very little money currently budgeted to
make any of the RAB study elements move forward. The DTX is a ~$2 billion project. Extending the tunnel further south to somewhere near 22<sup>nd</sup>
Street would likely increase its cost even while providing neighborhood and
city benefits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When factoring in the financial challenges plus the
logistical and coordination challenges of combining this with many other
projects, creating greater project with multiple phases may create a greater
interconnected transport system that may more easily find funding due to
benefiting more people and parts of the Bay Area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Imagine a Greater Transbay Special Task Force that looks at
planning, financing and building the following:</span></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Downtown Extension</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HSR Railyard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Second Transbay Rail Crossing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I-980 Transit Tunnel and Boulevard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">West San Francisco Regional Rail</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">East Bay Intercity Rail</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although more complicated, creating a more complete long term vision that can pave the path to our future may be the better way to go than creating separate projects that may or may not work together and more easily allows naysayers to stop good projects. Let's look at the big picture and get the task force going, and building our future now.</span></div>
<br />
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Brian Stoklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152448009690142769noreply@blogger.com0