ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[KevinL]

There's a LOT not explained here. One part of the article says substations must be within 15m of the LRT line; another says it's being built at Waterloo and Breithaupt, a good ten times that distance.

Is there any public Regional information that can clarify this?

[notmyfriends]

I think a better objection might be that corner is prime for redevelopment once everything's completed. Would be a shame to be limited on options at that point for a giant box that could be placed differently today.

[Canard]

It has to go somewhere, so no matter what there is always going to be a spot that cannot be used for redevelopment.

I just checked the Functional Design Plans and they actually don't appear to show the substations anywhere on any of the sheets.  So I'm not sure where this information is coming from.

Some stuff here, but not very helpful to this discussion: http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/...CHENER.pdf

[KevinL]

Some stuff here, but not very helpful to this discussion:  http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/...CHENER.pdf

Page 3 of that document shows the original location of the substation in question - at the back of the School of Pharmacy's parking, backing onto the CN mainline.

[DKsan]

From what I understand, the concern is less about the box being there, it's concern that because Waterloo Street is set to become a pedestrian and cyclist entrance to the new King/Victoria Intermodal Station, it seems kind of stupid to put the box jutting into the right-of-way.

This probably would be less of a concern if the ION/Regional team would show *how* Waterloo Street would look like as an entrance to the station. I suspect when they build the station, they'll realign Waterloo Street south of Breihaupt and the box will be less in the middle of the right of way and more on the edge, probably blended in the station structures.

[GtwoK]

Canard, I'm seeing them on the Functional Design Plans (those are the ones with overhead and cross section views, right?). I've just checked the one at the Borden station, and it's on the Plans labelled as "Substation". Not sure about the others.

[Spokes]

I just want to thank everyone for providing such amazing updates on this monumental project. This is one that I want to keep up to date on, but just cant and this forum has provided a ton of information! Thanks!

[Canard]

I wonder, Spokes, could we get this topic pinned (like the Highway Updates one) as an "important", always-on-top thread?

[The85]

I wonder, Spokes, could we get this topic pinned (like the Highway Updates one) as an "important", always-on-top thread?

Consider it done. This is by far the most popular thread in the forum, so it's a good idea.

Here is a photo I took last weekend in Midtown in front of the Sun Life Building. I think it really shows the length of the King Street construction in Midtown right now.

[GtwoK]

I'm mildly surprised there hasn't been any sort of closure at King / Union yet. Is it because it's a major intersection that would require a ton of work, so they're saving it for later? Or is it possibly the opposite, where because it's the boundary between Kitchener and Waterloo, there aren't many interfacing utilities that need to be dug up / rerouted?

[Canard]

Maybe they are waiting until some other sections re-open, before closing another? Traffic can't support many more closures without at least something opening up. Try driving near Queen/King or Queen/Courtland on a weekday, it's just awful right now.

[timio]

Drove up Caroline tonight from William - Valumart. Cat-pole bases are in along the entire stretch. Looks like Valumart-Erb is going to be closed until after they reconfigure Erb/Caroline and the tracks through the parking lot.

[GtwoK]

Closure details claim that will be until December 31st, but that might just be a placeholder date. Will sure be one of the more interesting stretches of the project.

[Spokes]

Maybe they are waiting until some other sections re-open, before closing another?  Traffic can't support many more closures without at least something opening up.  Try driving near Queen/King or Queen/Courtland on a weekday, it's just awful right now.

This would be my guess.  Especially being so close to the hospital.

[Spokes]

I wonder, Spokes, could we get this topic pinned (like the Highway Updates one) as an "important", always-on-top thread?

Great idea.  Thanks for doing that the85!