ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[KevinL]

I guess the nicer poles get put into more visible locations like platforms.

[timc]

I guess the nicer poles get put into more visible locations like platforms.

I don't actually know if those poles are for the catenary. They may be for lighting.

[Canard]

Pretty sure they are for both.

[gomesjustin]

Looks like they're only for OCS. But some might attractive poles they are. Lol. I found it in the old Rapid Transit Docs on the Region's website.

http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/...ncepts.pdf

<img src="https://monosnap.com/file/57VSysimbRVZ670C2Zra9gkXbHuOTy.png">

[Canard]

i don't mean to be argumentative, but I don't think the concept renderings (which are done by architecture folks who don't usually get technical details of anything other than buildings correct*) are accurate.  Other concept photos show them being both for OCS and lighting.  A lot has changed between concept and detail design.  Here is a graphic from another document, to show what I mean:

   

All that being said, after thinking about it some more, I don't think there will be any lighting on the platform OCS poles.  The lighting is far more likely to be integrated into the canopy structure of the platform itself, which is at a much lower level, which would afford a much better atmosphere for waiting passengers.

* - After being a roller coaster for 20+ years, you wouldn't believe the absolute garbage renderings I've seen of coasters integrated with buildings put out by architectural rendering firms.  The buildings always look amazing, since that's their core competency, but then it looks like someone strung out Christmas wrapping ribbon randomly around it.  It drives me nuts!

[timc]

While driving past, I also noticed there are poles in place in the platform on Caroline. But while the ones at R&T Park look like they're painted grey, the ones on Caroline look shiny, like new galvanized steel.

[KevinL]

I think different stations will be getting slightly different aesthetics, to help set them apart from each other.

[Lens]

I don't think this has been posted here. This is a report detailing what the areas around the stations might look like in the near future. Scroll down to see some great intractable 3D models: http://arcg.is/1lg6gD6

It also looks like Gaukel is planned to be a linear park!

[Canard]

I don't think the Caroline galvanized poles are for OCS - I'm pretty sure those are for traffic control lights.

[jwilliamson]

They've started laying out sleepers from University towards Seagram in the last day or two.

[GtwoK]

I don't think this has been posted here. This is a report detailing what the areas around the stations might look like in the near future. Scroll down to see some great intractable 3D models: http://arcg.is/1lg6gD6

It also looks like Gaukel is planned to be a linear park!

What could these strange bumpy teraform things be? I can't tell what they're supposed to represent. Or why there'd be a pedestrian bridge over Gaukel. Or a multitude of over things that seem to be going on in this model.



It also says a bridge is planned from the end of Charles, over the GO tracks, and connecting with Walter? That's the first I've heard of this... anyone have more information?

Their mockup of a new building on the corner of Queen / Charles looks really nice. Their mockups of some new buildings at Market Sq and the Cedar Station are... interesting:

[Canard]

What did I tell you about architectural renderings not getting the technicalities right? Showing Siemens S70's. Pfffft.

That's really exciting to see those concepts, though.

[nms]

The Canadian Institute is hosting a conference called "Delivering Urban Transit Infrastructure".  Among the speakers will be Thomas Schmidt from the Region in a session called, "The Evolution of Rapid Transit P3 Procurement in Ontario"

"Gain insight on the evolution of rapid transit P3 procurement in Ontario through case studies such as the procurement of Ottawa’s Confederation Line project, the Eglinton Crosstown Project and the Region of Waterloo’s ION LRT in the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. This is an opportunity to learn about unique risk transfer items and how to deal with the procurement and construction of the first LRT Transit Projects in Ontario as well as the lessons learned and how they can be applied to procuring an extension of the next stage of the City of Ottawa’s Transit program while the Confederation Line is still under construction"

[Canard]

Exciting news out of the latest ion email update;

-The first Traction Power Sub Station (TPSS) is going in on Sunday, March 6 up at the Northfield station!
-Trackwork has apparently started on Charles!

[KevinL]

-Trackwork has apparently started on Charles!

Which part? We obviously already have Water-Gaukel.