ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[clasher]

Surely you mean concrete ties? :p

[Canard]

It's such a short leg, it would seem awfully silly to go through the effort of procuring a very small order of wooden sleepers/ties for this one small section.

[BuildingScout]

It's such a short leg, it would seem awfully silly to go through the effort of procuring a very small order of wooden sleepers/ties for this one small section.

I thought concrete ties were now considered the default in any new construction. This certainly seems to be the case in Europe. Is this not the case in Canada?

[Canard]

It's not a given. The new freight alignment being done on the Huron Spur is all wood - so is all the track going in on top of the lovely new overpass at King/Victoria.

[clasher]

They are working on the transition at Queen right now.

I rode past this spot this evening and it looks like a pretty big speed bump will be the result unless they are planning something else.

[Markster]

Well, all things considered, not a bad spot for a speed bump!

[tomh009]

They are working on the transition at Queen right now.

I rode past this spot this evening and it looks like a pretty big speed bump will be the result unless they are planning something else.

We'll see what they do.  It does look good though!

   

[tomh009]

This morning's Charles progress update:

The small gap in concrete near the Crown Plaza is ready to pour.
   

First concrete has now been poured at the Cedar crossing, with a frenzy of work going on at this intersection.
   

Southbound rails at Madison are ready to be welded.  Northbound rails are still AWOL, though.
   

Back at Queen/Ontario, the Full Circle driveway has been moved temporarily and the crews are working on getting the track ready in front of the previous driveway.
   

[timc]

I thought concrete ties were now considered the default in any new construction. This certainly seems to be the case in Europe. Is this not the case in Canada?

Timber is a lot more difficult to acquire in Europe than it is here.

[Markster]

Queen/Charles to reopen Thursday!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-...35?cmp=rss

[timio]

Also from that article: Frederick is closing in August.

[panamaniac]

Ion construction giveth and Ion construction taketh away.....

[KevinL]

One thing to add to tomh's great summary above - the road approach from Queen to the embedded track has indeed been cut back and the asphalt re-laid at a lower angle.

[tomh009]

One thing to add to tomh's great summary above - the road approach from Queen to the embedded track has indeed been cut back and the asphalt re-laid at a lower angle.

Excellent news!

It seems that we will have a real sprint on Charles today and tomorrow, looking forward to the results.

[Canard]

Hey everyone,

While out exploring the line tonight, I spoke to several construction crew members. In my conversations with them, about how things were going, one thing was common: morale is low. These folks are taking a beating from the general public. One guy said he could finally count on 2 hands, after talking with me, the number of kind words the public have had toward them, and the project. He said people are nearly constantly swearing at them, giving them the finger, etc. - generally, treating them terribly.

So, I'm challenging everyone here: when you're out and about, if you make eye contact with one of the workers, just smile and give them a thumbs up. Or stop and say "Hey, thanks for doing what you're doing." A little positivity and support could really go along way, for these folks who are doing all the hard work of making Waterloo region a fantastic place.