ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[boatracer]

Thanks for the info on the tensioner poles. As an engineer I've always been fascinated with construction and infrastructure projects and am learning a lot about LRT transportation here.

[Coke6pk]

Does anyone know why they are building a "tunnel" at Fairview Park Mall Station?

   

Coke

[Markster]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

[edit]
Did it look like temporary materials?
Perhaps it's an easier way to enclose for the purposes of pouring concrete and keeping it warm.

[tomh009]

Sure doesn't look temporary!

[Canard]

It's a warming tent.

[KevinL]

Those definitely are temporary structures (can easily be disassembled and used elsewhere).

As others have said, it will be a warming tent; it will be wrapped in tarps and surrounded by heaters, so its internal temperature can be kept above freezing while a concrete pour cures. The pour should be for the embedding of the track between the platforms.

[Canard]

Yep. Same deal as other locations, just a different method due to the span.

It's new to us because Conestoga happened over the summer!

[embe]

Surely there are milestones outlined in the contract but at any time is the delay from Bombardier being considered when these winter concrete pours are scheduled? Just seems like a heck of a lot of a 'make work' project that won't impact the grand scheme of things. Yes multi-million dollar projects have a lot to manage and a lot of subcontractors etc. but it would be reassuring to know the left hand knows what the right hand is doing and mitigate cost overruns

[Elmira Guy]

I hate to have to ask this question as I'm sure it's completely stupid and what's more I should know the answer this far along in the game, but... the line essentially ends/begins at Conestoga Mall correct? So will the train simply loop around and go back the direction it came?

Thanks

[Markster]

Yep.
It will have a bit of a break at the mall, but it will eventually just start heading back south.

[KevinL]

It doesn't literally loop around - unlike Toronto streetcars, the trains are bidirectional. So it just pulls into Conestoga (or Fairway), then leaves in the opposite direction. This is wahy a crossover exists just before the platforms at the two terminal stations - so it can switch tracks to be going in the right direction.

[Canard]

It's not a stupid question at all!  Just to add a little more information to Markster's (Edit: And Kevin's!) reply, the train will pass through a (double/full) crossover, which permits it to move onto the other track:

   

[danbrotherston]

Maybe the regions getting a big valentines day gift:

http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/ion...st-1187980

Anyone know how long after delivery we will see it running? I assume not right away.

[Spokes]

That's a great question actually, because it now saves me from having to ask about the crossovers! Thanks!!

[Elmira Guy]

/\ You're welcome Spokes!

And thank you to Markster, KevinL, and Canard for the answers. Much appreciated!