ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[eizenstriet]

isUsername & Canard:

These technical details (among the variety of others in this thread) are so interesting and informative. They make one more appreciative when viewing the evolving (and, I expect, final) enterprise. Thanks.

[Markster]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charles/Queen has curbs! <a href="https://t.co/N6Lc28JDT2">pic.twitter.com/N6Lc28JDT2</a></p>&mdash; Mark Jackson-Brown (@Markster3000) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markster3000/status/739602586353958912">June 5, 2016</a></blockquote>

[GtwoK]

Finally! I'd assume those are all the way up to Benton (possibly with the exception of where the Queen station will go)? Could we possibly see Charles as a 100% through street to Ottawa sometime this week?

[Markster]

Finally! I'd assume those are all the way up to Benton (possibly with the exception of where the Queen station will go)? Could we possibly see Charles as a 100% through street to Ottawa sometime this week?

Correct, no curbs where Queen Station is.

There's still a lot of work until they can open it up. They need to pour more curbs for the LRT right of way, and they need to pour the Queen platform. I imagine they'll lay the tracks through there before they open up the street, too.

[GtwoK]

Markster's update made me want to go out and take a few photos tonight, so I did!

As I mentioned a few days ago, Duke is now paved between Water and Victoria, and Francis between Duke and the Kaufman Lofts entrance.





The day before the above was paved, I saw them steam rolling and temping the roadway down; now I see the same happening on Charles, from Victoria to Water! This should be paved this week as well ,especially considering Franci reopened last week.



As Markster mentioned, curbs are now in on Charles between Ontario and Benton, with the exception of the middle rapidway curb. I noticed this metal pole opposite the Sports Link parking lot. Anyone have any idea what it might be for? My only thought is maybe a signal to warn those exiting the parking lot of an oncoming train, but if so, why wouldn't they be at other parking lot exits as well?



Another thing I noticed: the curbs end at an area marked out for the Queen St station. You can see here that the station is in front of one of the old entrances to the strip mall parking lot. The other entrance, however, does not have "driveable" curbs in front of it - they're far too tall for any vehicle to cross. Was the parking lot closed permanently? Is redevelopment of this lot coming sooner than we think?

[GtwoK]

Bonus: This is the first time I've ever seen the Curbinator®. Neat machine!

[Markster]

Another thing I noticed: the curbs end at an area marked out for the Queen St station. You can see here that the station is in front of one of the old entrances to the strip mall parking lot. The other entrance, however, does not have "driveable" curbs in front of it - they're far too tall for any vehicle to cross. Was the parking lot closed permanently? Is redevelopment of this lot coming sooner than we think?

From what I recall, the access to that lot was going to be changed somehow so it still works. It might not be from Charles St anymore.

[panamaniac]

Another thing I noticed: the curbs end at an area marked out for the Queen St station. You can see here that the station is in front of one of the old entrances to the strip mall parking lot. The other entrance, however, does not have "driveable" curbs in front of it - they're far too tall for any vehicle to cross. Was the parking lot closed permanently? Is redevelopment of this lot coming sooner than we think?

From what I recall, the access to that lot was going to be changed somehow so it still works.  It might not be from Charles St anymore.

What would be the alternative?  I can't see it opening into Queen St so close to the intersection.

[GtwoK]

From what I recall, the access to that lot was going to be changed somehow so it still works.  It might not be from Charles St anymore.

What would be the alternative?  I can't see it opening into Queen St so close to the intersection.

Seems like you would be correct. So if it was evaluated and not moved... it must be permanently closed?

[jamincan]

There already is a lane off of Queen to the parking lot (judging from Streetview), but I would expect the parking lot would become almost impossible to get out of during heavy traffic on Queen.

[panamaniac]

There already is a lane off of Queen to the parking lot (judging from Streetview), but I would expect the parking lot would become almost impossible to get out of during heavy traffic on Queen.

That's so weird - all these years and I never noticed that opening onto Queen St.  It will be so nice when the entire site is redeveloped and the traffic can enter the parking garage from Church St only.

[Markster]

There already is a lane off of Queen to the parking lot (judging from Streetview), but I would expect the parking lot would become almost impossible to get out of during heavy traffic on Queen.

That's so weird - all these years and I never noticed that opening onto Queen St.  It will be so nice when the entire site is redeveloped and the traffic can enter the parking garage from Church St only.

It used to be somewhat disconnected from the parking lot by a curb. It was effectively just a single parking space next to Cafe Europe that always seemed to be used by a taxi, whose driver was likely at the Cafe.
With the construction, it was connected through to the parking lot to provide alternate access when the main access is blocked.

[tomh009]

Another thing I noticed: the curbs end at an area marked out for the Queen St station. You can see here that the station is in front of one of the old entrances to the strip mall parking lot. The other entrance, however, does not have "driveable" curbs in front of it - they're far too tall for any vehicle to cross. Was the parking lot closed permanently? Is redevelopment of this lot coming sooner than we think?

From what I recall, the access to that lot was going to be changed somehow so it still works.  It might not be from Charles St anymore.

It looks like it'll be Charles, but the entrance will be right where the retaining wall starts for the church parking lot, based on the curb cut-outs (see below).  It'll be a fairly tight entrance, but it should work.

From the parking lot:
   

A view from across the street:
   

[tomh009]

Bonus: This is the first time I've ever seen the Curbinator®. Neat machine!

Curbinator (actually a Gomaco GT-3600) in action!  It was producing maybe about 0.2 m/s of curbing, although it appears it can do about 0.4 m/s at top speed (maybe higher if it's on a paved surface?).

   

   

[BuildingScout]

   

A lawn seeding truck being towed on top of a rail car at the University.