Saturday, July 21, 2012

de Tour de Tucson

7/21/2012, Helen & Cherry

Here are a few pics of deTour de Tucson from the last week, most related to rail construction for the new modern electric streetcar line that will run through the University of Arizona, 4th Ave, and downtown Tucson.  Lots of construction going on.

riiiight...
7/21/2012, Helen & Cherry

What with the deep potholes and large piles of gravel on our streets, I guess we can say that on average our streets are nice and flat...?
7/21/2012, Speedway east of underpass that the new streetcar line will pass through

Apparently there are detour signs for animals as well...
7/20/2012, UofA Campus, near 2nd St

"Doh!  Almost missed that turn!
7/20/2012, UofA Campus, near 2nd St

Workers laying asphalt next to new tracks.  They were using a front end loader to unload the asphalt due to the narrow strip between curb and track, shoveling, and then using a traditional motorized roller for flattening.  Looked a lot more labor intensive than normal street paving.
7/20/2012, 2nd St through UofA campus

Loading the front end loader with asphalt.
7/20/2012, 2nd St through UofA campus

7/20/2012, 2nd St through UofA campus

This stretch of 4th Ave south of 6th Street was paved and open last Sunday.  Today, not so much.  Sidewalks are still open for business access.  Must be difficult on the businesses until 4th is reopened.
7/21/2012, 4th Ave south of 6th St

4th Ave almost looks like a "western" town when the pavement is all ripped up like this... 
Where are the horses?
7/21/2012, 4th Ave south of 6th St

Its no wonder they keep warning bicyclists to be very careful crossing the tracks, this looks downright challenging.  [These are actually some of the torn up old rails that used to run down 4th for the old streetcar.]
7/21/2012, 4th Ave south of 6th St

kind of looks like they didn't stop...
7/21/2012, 4th Ave south of 6th St

ok, so up and over it is...
7/21/2012, 4th Ave south of 6th St

There is actually a fair amount of parking on the streets adjacent to 4th Ave.  Don't let the construction stop you from frequenting 4th Ave businesses.  Heck, use the construction as an excuse to come down and grab a coffee, eat a meal, and shop/window shop some while checking out the construction.  I'm sure the local shops will appreciate your business during this period.  I parked on the street below this morning and had a great coffee/breakfast at Cafe Passe on 4th Ave.
7/21/2012, from 4th Ave looking west

3 comments:

  1. I wasn't aware of that. Will it be like the light rail trains in Phoenix?

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Bruce -- the vehicles will look about the same although I think they will be shorter in total length. Total track distance is only about 4 miles. My understanding is that the fuzzy distinction between light rail trains and electric street cars is that street cars stay in the automobile right-of-way while light rail tends to have much of its transit on dedicated right of way for only the train. It is a fuzzy distinction for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wait??!!! Are they fixing the road?:) A Tucson miracle:) Can't wait to see the final product. I'm pretty excited about this cool addition.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are always appreciated, they let me know if anyone is actually reading my blog too!