I suspect it was a Historic District consideration, but it could also be a decent choice from a total life-cycle costs standpoint (similar to granite).[Copper is] quite expensive for a "cash strapped" agency.
Does raise the question of why a single elevator costs $3.8 million at the MBTA, when the going rate for an elevator that can serve a whole building is in the $20k to $200k range depending on circumstances. Not as bad the MTA but still shocking price for what's essentially an elevator that travels one floor. A one floor hydraulic elevator shouldn't be nearly that expensive.As an order-of-magnitude, a 1x2 foot piece of copper sheeting at Home Depot is $17. So that copper probably cost 1-2 grand - less than 0.1% of the project cost.
I suspect it was a Historic District consideration, but it could also be a decent choice from a total life-cycle costs standpoint (similar to granite).
When you build new stuff in a historic district don't they sometimes ask for consistent materials?At a station that opened in 1981??? Seriously doubt that.
Cambridge in general and Harvard Sq. in particular are anti-consistent about that. I learned from a decade living in the People's Republic that there's little rhyme or reason to the "neighborhood character" choices they make. "The Pit" is another 1980's creation that clashes more than it complements.When you build new stuff in a historic district don't they sometimes ask for consistent materials?
T used to use copper extensively for anything exposed to weather -- e.g. the original Orange Line Elevated stations, Green Line Elevated station at North Station
For those who can't be bothered to go hunting for it. Personally I think it looks really cool but yeah I'm not sure how it will age. Also as someone pointed out, quite expensive for a "cash strapped" agency.
I'm not concerned about the cost, I just think it is visually over the top. A copper roof and some highlights would be great. Copper walls, not so much.As an order-of-magnitude, a 1x2 foot piece of copper sheeting at Home Depot is $17. So that copper probably cost 1-2 grand - less than 0.1% of the project cost.
Does anyone know why they're tearing up the tracks on the disused ROW next to the Sullivan Station Orange Line tracks? A little bit of me hopes its for BRT or something sometime in the future...
The Boden Lane bridge - a major access route to West Natick station - was irreparably damaged on October 31. Sounds like they demolished the old span in December, and a temporary pedestrian span is about to be installed.
When you say, "next to" do you mean the east or west side? I'm thinking the west is the disused side, based on the grey sections at the end of the west side black (freight) lines at Sullivan as shown in Van's Track Map, right?Does anyone know why they're tearing up the tracks on the disused ROW next to the Sullivan Station Orange Line tracks? A little bit of me hopes its for BRT or something sometime in the future...
For F-Line: Will PanAm's use of the Sullivan/Yard 21 be
- a permanent change triggered by GLX? or
- just a temporary change only during GLX construction?
Walked by it this morning - the old tracks have been torn out, its been grubbed and they're actively regrading. Also snagged a new OL train view!When you say, "next to" do you mean the east or west side? I'm thinking the west is the disused side, based on the grey sections at the end of the west side black (freight) lines at Sullivan as shown in Van's Track Map, right?
Walked by it this morning - the old tracks have been torn out, its been grubbed and they're actively regrading. Also snagged a new OL train view!
View attachment 3253
B and C branch track replacement contract just posted for bid: https://bc.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/pdf/T25CN01 Notice to Bidders .pdf
Way too early to start groaning at probable bustitution schedules since unlike all the D work underway this is at least a couple years off. This would slot under 25-year cycled renewal as the last major track rebuild on those lines was '98-99 in anticipation of inaugural Type 8 service. It's a job they would've had to do anyway in advance of the Type 10's being a different all- low-floor design requiring ace track conditions, so the timing fits.