Challenge 1

[quackmofro]

Challenge 1 material will be posted here.

[quackmofro]

CHALLENGE 1: MAIN ARTERIALS

All right, Governor Bison. It's nice to see that we have some plans to develop the Grand River Valley. I've thought that this area would be ripe for the picking, given the amount of industrial opportunities. I've never faced such a challenge before, Governor. Building a Bordertown does have its merits and setbacks when it comes to diplomacy and national security, but it's something that both nations have agreed to.

However, the first act of business in the Grand River Valley is to plan a regional highway that will serve as a main throughfare. Also,  a rail line will be required for material and product transportation between Opal and Iselia, the two corporate spearheads for development in the region. As the city planner appointed to the project, I'll be collaborating with the newly created Grand River Valley Department of Transportation (GRVDOT) and Grand River Rail Company (GRR) to get this proposal on your desk by Wednesday, March 25.

Beginning with Route 10, the GRVDOT highway planners and I are considering the path of this major arterial through the region carefully since the placement is permanent. Future growth must be meticulously evaluated. Now, Opal Drilling, which plans to construct bromine wells and a stripper and purification plant, is not expected to require a large amount of labor capital. Taking into account operators, engineers, maintenance personnel, janitorial staff, control personnel, administrators, and on-site fire personnel, Opal has tossed out a number of 200 employees. So, we anticipated that the community north of the border would not be as large. However, Iselia Corporation will head the main production of the brominated flame retardants. They will also construct a research substation at their location that will perform laboratory testing and small-scale processes in conjunction with their process development center in Brownsboro further south. All in all, including laboratory staff, they are looking at a headcount of about 1,700. This would contribute a larger population to the south. Also, several other Wernkean corporate entities have expressed interest in building offices in the Bordertown due to its proximity to Jasper, a fledgling international port town to the south, so even more growth can be expected.


Fig. 1.1: Proposed routes for Route 10 and the Trans-Border Line.

Take a look at this final proposal. It is intended that Route 10 will branch off of Exford's Emperor Highway 5 and continue east into the region from Prospect in the northwest (A). The highway will follow some of the hilly features of the area; more liberty can be taken since little development is expected here. The Grand River forms a natural border between Wernke and Exford. Since the islands make for a logical checkpoint when crossing the border, Route 10 will proceed south through them in the Central district (E). Because of the anticipated growth, the path through Goose Creek (H) and Brazosfield (I) will be straighter to allow for a structured street system. The curves at Playa (M) account for the preservation of some of the forests near the coast. We've already had some complaints from environmentalist groups on both sides of the border about this project; perhaps we can cater to them some by cutting down as little trees as possible. Environmentalists have also pressured the government into preventing us from constructing any divided or limited-access highways, which is fine since traffic into and through the region will be moderate at worst. Route 10 will continue to the south along the Holst Sea coast until it reaches the port city of Jasper.

Now then, I met with the head engineers from GRR to discuss the proposed rail line. An existing line runs north to south sixty miles to the west of the Grand River Valley between Adiemus, the Exfordian capital, and Jasper on the eastern coast. When the line was first built, planners decided to curve around this area because of the physical restrictions in place by the Keynes Mountain range and the need for several junction points to the west that are now obsolete. It's been deliberated before whether or not a more direct route from Adiemus to Jasper is feasible. Now the bromine operations slated for the region call for a greater necessity. A rail line between the purification plant to the north and the FR plant to the south is the fastest way to transport materials back and forth and would not need a checkpoint to cross the border. Actually, checkpoints could be placed at each site for other freights planning to use the line in the future. This would also be the easiest way to get product to the Jasper port for international shipping.

Luckily, those guys at GRR are right for the job because they were able to plot out a line that cuts straight through the region and directly connects the northern bromine fields to the production plant in Brazosfield (I). This will also cut more than one hundred miles from a freight trip between Adiemus and Jasper. Again, forest preservation was a big consideration, but it's a bit more difficult to add tight curves to a rail line. Thus, it wasn't always possible. The Trans-Border Line (TBL), as it has been called, will also follow the coast along with Route 10 south to Guidry Port in Jasper.

The projects were approved and the transit lines were swiftly constructed so that industrial and city development can get started. The regional view outlines the paths of the highway and the rail line.


Fig. 1.2: Traffic view of Grand River Region.


Fig. 1.3: Overhead view of Hurst, Exford (B).

Here's a closer view of Route 10 and the TBL in Hurst (B). The road curves south to the Central (E) border checkpoint and future business district, and the rail continues east to the brine fields and purification plant. (I haven't finished plopping all the flora; I'll complete that later on.)

Let me know what you think, Governor. We've spent many sleepless nights deliberating over this; I think this is a good start.

Jeremy Seligmann

[Splime]

That first image is a really neat map!

[mrbisonm]

Now that you posted your pictures, you are not allowed to change anything anymore. We made copies and judge the originals only.

We also will not make any comments in this thread besides the judging once it is finished by Wednesday next week, but we will make useful and friendly comments in your regular thread of GRV. Points will be given 3 to 4 days after the challenge is finished and will be posted in the Pointage Sheet.
Also your points only together with an explanation and comments why we gave you these points, will be posted here at the end of this challenge.

mrb/lynncanox

Edit: We would to see a picture of tile A in mayormode from view 1 and taken from the east(right side). Thank you.
mrb

[quackmofro]

As you wish, sir.


Fig. 1.4: Overhead view of Prospect, Exford (A) facing to the west.

[mrbisonm]

First of all let us congratulate You. You have made it through the first Mayor's test.
On the picture below, circles with letters will indicate what was important in your region for this challenge. If we say we don't like or we like, it doesn't mean that it's the same for others. We are judging to our lknowledge and what would be the most logical thing to do in our opinion, remember this.

A. and B.  two very good choices to have the river crossed.
C.  A classical error by now. You see, bridges are expensive to build and maintain and therefor recommended to build as few as possible. Here you have built three where only one would have been just perfect, even if it would be longer. Bad idea for the budget.
D.  and E. Again both choices of rivercrossings were excellent.

Because of the two island crossing it was impossible to give you more points, but generally this is a good job. Congratulations and good luck with the next challenge.

Lynn and Fred

[quackmofro]

Thanks, Fred! I read your post in your challenge 1 thread. I didn't consider it that much, but indeed bridges would require the most capital for the infrastructure. I just thought since it was the government's money I could splurge as much as I wanted . It looks like I'm not the only one who thought the islands were an ideal place for a crossing, but your point was made and well taken.

Six points is more than I thought I would get, so I'm happy.

[mrbisonm]

Glad to hear that, we try to be just and that's not always easy. Have fun with the next one.

Fred