May 17, 2022 was a big day for transit in London.
Queen Elizabeth II paid a surprise visit to Paddington Station in London on May 17 to officially open the Elizabeth Line, a $22 billion, long-delayed rail line cutting east to west across central London.
An article by Rory Tingle for the Daily Mail gives the scoop on the Queen’s attendance at the new rail line’s grand opening. The Queen added money to a fare card with the guidance of a Crossrail worker. Andy Byford, former President of New York City Transit was also on hand for the opening in his current capacity as commissioner of Transport for London.
As for details about the new rail line, an article by Mark Landler for the New York Times detailed the key facts about the new rail line.
“The Elizabeth line has been under construction for 13 years, seven years before Britons voted to leave the European Union. It was on the drawing board for decades before that, under the name Crossrail — so long that in the minds of many Londoners, it was never going to be finished. Its empty, brightly lit stations, sealed off behind fire doors, are portals to an unseen world,” writes Landler.
According to the article, the new line’s stations have a “wow factor,” with “vast, cathedral-like spaces” and “platforms that seem to stretch to infinity.”
The Elizabeth Line is also opening in phases, with more to come this fall. “When the Elizabeth line’s next phase is opened in the fall, passengers will be able to travel from Heathrow to the banks at Canary Wharf in East London in 40 minutes,” explains Landler.
For a sneak peak at the new Elizabeth Line, see also the video above by B1M, which provides a guided tour, shot in April 2022.
FULL STORY: In London, a Long-Awaited High-Tech Train Is Ready to Roll
What Will Become of London's Transit Megaproject After Brexit?
London's Crossrail promises faster commutes and neighborhood revitalization in a global economic hub. But what if Brexit puts a damper on that future?
Europe's Largest Civil Engineering Project
London kicks-off the beginning of a massive new rail line linking the city's western suburbs, including Heathrow Airport, through the city, and into the eastern suburbs in Essex.
London Launches Electric Buses
The new buses can charge at either end of their route in minutes without returning to garages for charging.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service