Re: Overhead Walkways at Suburban Stations in Sydney

[craigd@lios.apana.org.au (C. Dewick)]

In <374d18a1.0@news1.idx.com.au> "R F Horgan" <rhorgan@idx.com.au> writes:

>Forgive me for posting such a silly question but here goes.

>Why does State Rail go to all this expense in installing overhead walkways
>with ramps and elevators. Would it not be more practical and economical to
>build
>pedestrian tunnels under the stations.

Actually no, because rock-breaking, and the associated excavation and other
civil works required to build underpasses, etc. are *extremely* expensive
compared to building above ground. I guess the long-term maintenance costs
would come out close to the same, but the intitial construction costs are
much reduced for overhead structures.

Also, most stations already have existing overhead structures, so in a lot
of cases new work integrates with old, resulting in further cost-saving.

Regards,

Craig.
-- 
            Craig Ian Dewick            |       Stand clear - jaws closing
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