Well, I haven't given much thought to running them in public roads, since I only looked at the ones with the center medians. And they'd need to connect to Worcester Union Station, since one big selling point is the system as a feeder to the commuter rail line to Boston.
Larry: Yes, my plan will serve both the stadium (was branded for some company, but I don't remember what and Google Maps isn't up to date) and the Greendale Mall. See below.
For the first phase of service, I've put together the beginnings of a presentation for running the tracks parallel (never physically connecting, since that would require use of FRA compliant equipment) to the CSX/Pan Am line to Ayer, MA, which is actually owned by the Providence & Worcester Railroad till Barbers, where the planned line would end. Here's the route, complete with maps of the planned stations. EDIT: Ignore the HTML code... Just a byproduct of pasting text from MS Word...
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Phase 1
From Worcester Union Station, built on unused platform on the north leg of station, running on existing track purchased from P&W/CSX. P&W and CSX trains run on the parallel tracks, physically separated with track cut off at Union Station. This allows non-FRA compliant equipment to be used on the light rail line.
From there the line goes to a new station with a footbridge over the freight tracks at Worcester Medical Center/Stadium.
Next stop on the existing track is the WPI (a local college) Biosciences Facility station, a new station with a footbridge.
From there, it’s a couple hundred feet north until the two existing tracks merge into one track. The switch will be removed so that the light rail line can continue north on new tracks. The line splits into multiple tracks near Millbrook Street (about a mile north), so the light rail line will use the east-most track, which will be separated physically from the freight line.
Then the tracks will continue to run mostly on the existing tracks, but also new tracks where required. A new station and accompanying footbridge will be built at the Greendale Mall. (is that what you were thinking of, Larry?)
Phase 2
The tracks will continue on new tracks to the New Bond Street Crossing. Building a parallel track may require some realignment of West Boylston Street and the current freight track. An optional station will be built at New Bond Street to serve the neighborhood there.
Then the new track will continue parallel to the existing track, requiring a lot of earth moving to build the track on what is now an embankment. A new bridge will carry the track over Brooks Street. Soon after, the embankment will ease and the line will be built with more ease. A fast food restaurant may have to be razed to provide room across the street for a Quinsigamond College Station.
Any thoughts?
