Lloydminster Economic Action Plan (LEAP)
Today is March 5, G.Y. 2
Figure 1 - The whereabouts of Lloydminster in relation to the rest of the region.
Well, thank you counsellor ROFLyoshi who suggested the new developments for Lloydminster. As a result, actions have been taken:
1) A Central Business District (CBD) is being constructed near PCEP Routes 1 and 2.
2) A new connector road between the residential district and the new Lloydminster Ringway.
3) The Lloydminster branch rail connecting the community to the rest of the region.
This project, as suggested by ROFLyoshi, was known as the Lloydminster Economic Action Plan (LEAP).
Figure 2 - The new connector road between the residential district and the new Lloydminster Ringway began construction. Parts of the trees are logged, clearing a way for a muddy trail (for now).
Figure 3 - The connector road, unpaved, not opened to the public in this stage.
Figure 4 - The connector road was paved, and the median line was painted. The road was paved with bricks to comply with the rest of the neighbourhood's style.
Figure 4 - With the traffic expected, a set of traffic light was installed at the intersection of the connector road and the Lloydminster Ringway.
Figure 5 - A rural bus stop was added to service the connector road.
Figure 6 - Within less than a month after the connector road's opening, the usage of the road increased by 2800%. (The current traffic stats indicate over 300 vehicles use the road during the morning rush hours)
To solve the problem of commute time in Lloydminster as part of the LEAP project, other than building better connector links to major thoroughfares, a branch rail was also approved by the regional government to reach into the community.
Two train stations are proposed to be built (currently, only one is in service, the other is still under construction), one being named Lloydminster East, the other Lloydminster West. There will be 6 trains operating, 3 per rush hour session. At other times, residents of the locale will have to drive or take the regional bus to connect to the rest of the region.
Figure 7 - The branch rail construction began, in part of the LEAP. First, the area is logged, cleared of trees, then a muddy path has been set by the trucks to allow easy access of construction materials. The terrain is also raised, so that it is more difficult for wildlife to cross the heavily travelled corridor (both the PCEP route and the railway). The area is extremely wildlife sensitive.
This is also the reason why the railway and the PCEP route are placed together, to lessen the wildlife destruction over a bigger land mass.
The government does not promise an elevated rail and an elevated highway for free wildlife passing due to budget problems. However, we do promise that they will be upgraded to elevated travel corridors, once the usage warrants this condition.
Figure 8 - The muddy path of the proposed railtrack was constructed.
Figure 9 - The railroad was paved on the originally muddy path.
Figure 10 - The finished product. Notice how the rail and the PCEP route 2 are placed side-by-side. The corridor of travel is significantly elevated, to prevent wildlife entry. This corridor will be elevated in the near future, with warrant of usage. Currently, 16 passenger trains and over 400 vehicles utilize the corridor.
Currently, the government does NOT suggest the usage level before elevating it.
As a counsellor, may you please provide the input... what usage level (passenger train and vehicles - vehicles is the sum of all cars, buses, trucks, etc) should be reached before elevating the rail and the PCEP corridor?
The rail spans along the PCEP corridor, and finally reaches Lloydminster East station (Lloydminster East is located on the more prosperous side of the Llodyminster community). The station was built in an old-fashioned European style, as follows:
Figure 11 - The Lloydminster East rail station. It is able to handle 10,000 passengers per day. However, the current usage is only 130 passengers. We have encouraged usage by including a new bus stop connecting the rail station to the rest of the community. How else can we encourage ridership?
Notice how we also took ROFLyoshi's advice, building the CBD near the intersection of PCEP routes 1 and 2. The intersection is also where the train station is located. About 200 - 300 commercial jobs are located around here.
A drop-off loop is also constructed for kiss n'ride (carpooling), for those who are using the rail station.
A mezzanine is also constructed (though it does not show up quite as well in this image) behind the train station. This is done so to encourage more pedestrian walking towards the train station, rather than driving. The mezzanine is surrounded by various shops.
Figure 12 - And finally, signages showing how to get to the new CBD is placed on PCEP route 1 to guide thru traffic into the downtown core. These signages are newly placed as part of the LEAP project. The PCEP route 1 signage is old, and was there since the Lloydminster Ringway was constructed.
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NEXT UP: Corridor Structures in the Region, with Updated Maps >>
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The regional chair
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