Without this new tunnel, you had to get across with a ferry. I heard stories that it was like a little raft that floats you across the water.
Billy Bishop Tunnel
- Thread starter SkyRider
- Start date
It would be another half to 3/4 of a mile to get past the airport fence near Hanlan's Point dock (and this is the shortest distance to anywhere else past the fence). Is there really that much demand to go there that a second, super expensive route is needed?
In case people need a refresher on what the airport looks like and the obstacle it presents to the getting to the rest of the island....
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.6268158,-79.3937544,2535m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
I do agree with you though that the ferries need a lot of work like opening windows, a lot more seats and hopefully A/C (fans would suffice.) That will never ever happen in this town, which is sad because the islands are a great asset. The facilities on the island are in dire need of upgrades too.
Not from the Western gap or airport side since you have the tarmac in the way and they extend right to the edge of the water. A bus would from the airport terminal to the rest of the islands would not work for the same reason. A tunnel at the eastern gap at the end of Cherry Street would be an interesting idea, but that is far out of the way. That area should be redeveloped since there's not much out there other than Cabana Pool Bar, The Docks, the T&T Supermarket and industrial buildings I think.
I tend to disagree, especially coming back from a long flight. All I want to do is get home ASAP !!!! There's no Charms after a 7hr flight.
Read my earlier posts. I was commenting on the ferry ride to Centre Island not the airport. I made this comment because earlier someone asked if the tunnel to the airport could be expanded to go the rest the islands. Specifically, to Hanlan's Point. While technically feasible, it would be very expensive given that we would be digging beneath the tarmac. If memory serves, the land side of the western gap has a lot of town-houses, condos and little parking or waiting area. So it wouldn't even be practical to extend the tunnel anyway.
There's no feasible land route from the airport terminal building to the rest of the islands.
The tunnel certainly makes it more convenient to get to and from the island airport since there is no more waiting for the ferry or for marine traffic to clear the western channel. Now you have a choice to take the ferry or the tunnel.
Does the water taxi go directly from Ward Island (where these island humans usually live) to the Airport? (I didn't think private boats were allowed to dock and unload humans at the Airport.)
Misunderstood your post, But I thought the OP's post was about the new tunnel, which to me makes perfect sense.
I think this is what islanders would have to do because there's a fence all the way around the airport property. So they would need to take the Ward's Island (Eastern side) ferry to the mainland and then have to get to the airport ferry at the bottom of Bathurst street either by walking or taking the streetcar. That is certainly a major pain in the ass and would probably take at least 45 minutes to an hour total travel time.
Maybe some of the islanders have their own boats, but I don't think they can stop at the airport ferry dock. I'm fairly certain you can't stop on the sea wall in the Western channel either because it's always busy in that channel and it's too close to the runways.
Maybe water taxis can take islanders from the Eastern side to the airport ferry docks?
Those devious "squatters" probably just cut a hole in the fence and enter the Airport that way. Just kidding, I think.
Didn't David Miller's decision to cancel the bridge cost taxpayers in the end? I guess he wasn't on hand for the opening. lol
These are the people who moved next to an airport then complain about the noise. I doubt any of them they fly Porter.
I heard it cost more to destroy the bridge than to build it. That's what happens when we have a liberal lefty mayor beholden to island "squatters". (Those squatters actually kidnapped the bailiff until the City caved and made their squatting legal.)
P.S. If we are ever so unlucky as to get another liberal lefty mayor, they will probably bomb the island airport and destroy the tunnel. So, enjoy the tunnel while you can.
According to Wikipedia, the amount was never disclosed but the Feds transferred 35 Million to the Port Authority to settle claims made by the contractors.
