Sunday, January 9, 2011

Getting Laid In Auckland...

The first section of tram track has now been laid in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter waterfront area.
Quite frankly, I didn't think this would get off the ground without another year of procrastination, so - well done, whoever! And yes, this is the only bit that's been put down so far, but at least it's a start.
This marks the return of trams in Auckland after a 50-yr.absence, and when completed, the 1.5km loop (costing $8-million) will run clockwise along Jellicoe Street, down Halsey Street, along Gaunt Street and up Daldy Street in time for the *yawn* Rugby World Cup 2011.
There'll be over-head wires at approx.6m high... and that's one bug-bear I can see (literally). The wires = visual pollution, in an area which is filling with sleek (if sterile) chrome and glass. However, battery power was deemed not viable for the two Melbourne trams to be used on the route, so no choice.
The other bug-bear is: will the council actually run the trams TO anywhere, rather than just round and round the Wynyard block?
If tourists could ride these trams out to the zoo and the Museum of Transport and Technology, or in the other direction to Mission Bay... now we'd be cookin' with gas!
(...many thanx to AKT)

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