ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[danbrotherston]

It would be very strange having the only grade separated station on the line be in such a (currently) underdeveloped area. If they were going to similar expense to put in others I could understand, but then you have the budget increasing even more, which at the time would have killed the project.

I do have to wonder if a more gentle access to the rail corridor behind Graybar, rather than going along Hayward, would have made the curves less severe.

For some context, I grabbed a sat photo, then copied the exact station platform under the bridge at the bridge pier...then I copied stairways from the Cooksville GO Station, where the stairway reaches the third floor of the parking garage. This is the maximum possible space a stairway would need, different configurations and lower heights could shrink and move this stairway as needed. You could have access from both sides of the bridge, and also an elevator for accessibility. It takes only a few dozen seconds to climb these stairs. The platform could be widened as needed to accomodate these features. The CP line under the bridge would need to be moved, but there is quite a bit of unused space there between the tracks.  And the Fallowfield buildings could be less than a 400 meter walk from the station.

I think the photoshop caused me to realize that there might have been some engineering or rework to the bridge structure itself to fit in the station and associated infrastructure unless an agreement with the railroads were to be made. The bridge embankment footings are just covered by quick copy and paste of the rails and platform. The bridge was built by and is owned by COK and not the region.
It definitely was a cost related decision rather that usability. The current station will be friendlier if the Vierra Village condos ever get built. I do agree right now it’s the most hostile station to passengers being right beside the road.

The region already needed an agreement with the railway for other sections, I would expect moving the rail lines separately would have been the most feasible option for doing this.

Vierra would make the station feel better (not being in a field) but there may be some improved pedestrian connections but I expect several issues to remain including of course the ridiculous sidewalk tunnel on the other of block line. I feel a grade separated station could have been integrated or connected directly with the first (or basement) floor of the Vierra development, not exactly a magical experience but a good experience for residents and visitors to the development.