Not sure it's been mentioned, but as I understand rehabilitation of Old Northern for vehicular use requires rendering mechanism inoperable and raising center of span, with ramps added on either end. Raising of center of span is required in this scenario (e.g. providing vehicular access) to continue allowing for 24/7 navigability.
IMHO, an improved (operable) pedestrian bridge as exists today would be ideal, and could possibly be funded by glass enclosure of center of span (as was proposed 10 years ago by respondents to BRA RFP, later withdrawn).
But I'm glad a vehicular option is being explored as an alternative in order to fund rehabilitation, rather than seeing a demolition -- more likely if we do nothing.
IMHO, an improved (operable) pedestrian bridge as exists today would be ideal, and could possibly be funded by glass enclosure of center of span (as was proposed 10 years ago by respondents to BRA RFP, later withdrawn).
But I'm glad a vehicular option is being explored as an alternative in order to fund rehabilitation, rather than seeing a demolition -- more likely if we do nothing.
