Ion rapid transit
Artist's image of the future Ion trainset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Owner | Region of Waterloo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Region of Waterloo, Ontario | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transit type |
Light rail Bus rapid transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of stations | 19 (6 of the 19 stations serve one direction only; phase 1)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operation will start | Early 2018 (expected) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator(s) | Keolis Canada, Grand River Transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of vehicles | 14 Flexity Freedom, 9 New Flyer Xcelsior[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System length |
19 km (12 mi) (phase 1)[3] 37 km (23 mi) (after phase 2)[3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 750 V DC overhead | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ion is an integrated rapid transit network currently under construction in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.[4] It will be operated by Grand River Transit, supplementing and partially replacing its existing iXpress bus service. The first phase will run between the north end of Waterloo, Ontario and the south end of Kitchener, with an estimated start date of spring 2018.[5] A future extension to the "downtown Galt" area of Cambridge (Phase 2) is planned but construction may not begin on that line until 2025.[6]
In 2009, an Environmental Assessment (EA) began to create a proposal of electrically-powered light rail transit (a first in the province of Ontario) through Kitchener and Waterloo, and adapted bus rapid transit from Kitchener to Cambridge. On June 24, 2009, Regional Council voted to approve the project, subject to funding from higher levels of government, which was in turn approved by council on June 15, 2011. This was followed by a community building strategy to guide development, identify key destinations, and strengthen regional connections.[7] The strategy, led by Urban Strategies Inc. of Toronto, consulted hundreds of individuals and stakeholders from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.[8]
Construction began in August 2014 and service was expected to begin in late 2017;[9] however, because of delays in the manufacture and delivery of rolling stock, the introduction of the light rail service was significantly delayed.[10][11][5]
History
In 2004, the Regional Municipality began an Individual Environmental Assessment to study the feasibility of constructing a rapid transit line to provide higher-order public transit service to the Region and to encourage more compact urban growth along the corridor.
The EA took a broader approach to studying possible routes and stations for the rapid transit line, examining several options such as utilizing existing tracks/roads and constructing new facilities. In keeping with legislation, the Environmental Assessment also examined ten possible transport technologies, including monorails and subways.
The EA as planned consisted of three phases:
Phase 1: Determine a preferred transportation strategy from options such as road expansion, improved conventional transit, and rapid transit. Phase 1 was completed in July 2006.
Phase 2:
- Step 1: Determine a preferred route design (grade separated, dedicated on-road, dedicated off-road, etc.) and technology. The EA examined ten different technologies including light rail, bus rapid transit, monorail, and subway. Step 1, completed in February 2007, determined that light rail transit and bus rapid transit were best suited to meet the needs of the Regional Growth Management Strategy.
- Step 2: Determined a short list of preferred routes and technologies for seven segments of a rapid transit system (completed in 2008).
- Step 3: Proposed an overall preferred rapid transit system (completed June 2009)
Phase 3: Design an implementation plan for the rapid transit system.
In June 2008, the Province of Ontario announced a new expedited Transit Project Assessment Process (Ontario Regulation 231/08). In August 2008, the Region notified the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to advise that the it would transition from the Individual EA to the expedited process. For that reason, Phase 3 of the Individual EA will not be completed. The Region expects to transition to the new Assessment Process in the Fall of 2009.[12]
On June 24, 2009, Regional Council approved the initiative and the Region is in discussions with Provincial and Federal governments to obtain funding for the $790-million project. Light Rail Transit (LRT) has been short-listed as the technology for the new rapid transit system. The Region has decided upon a staged approach for building light rail from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall, passing through Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener on the way. Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) is to be built initially from Fairview Park Mall to Ainslie Street terminal in Cambridge utilizing shoulder bypass lanes along Highways 8 and 401 during heavy traffic where speeds are 40 km/h or less.
In summer of 2010, funding from higher levels of government was announced: $300 million from the province of Ontario, and $265 million (or up to 1/3 of the full cost) from the federal government.[13] The provincial figure was disappointing to supporters, as they had previously promised 2/3 of the cost. The Region must now look into funding the remaining $200–300 million if the project is to go ahead as planned.[14]
Approved light rail system
On June 24, 2009, Regional Council approved LRT as the technology for rapid transit in Waterloo Region. Regional Council also approved a recommendation to implement the system in stages because ridership, development potential and capital and operating costs vary along the route.
The light rail system was approved by Regional Council with a vote of 15-1. Cambridge mayor Doug Craig cast the dissenting vote. Other Cambridge-area representatives joined Craig in voting against subsequent motions on the service's staging, feeling that running only buses to that city does them a disservice.[15]
The Province of Ontario has promised it will fund up to two thirds of the cost of the construction of a light rail or bus rapid transit system in Waterloo Region.[16]
During public consultation for the project, concerns related to the light rail proposal focused on its relative service infrequency when compared with rapid transit systems in other cities (though it would still outperform the Region’s best bus services in its overall service capacity, and the frequency of many routes); the projected service frequency will be approximately 7.5 minutes. In addition, a light rail line would be limited by the narrow main streets of key downtown areas. A feasible proposal raised by the Region for dealing with this challenge would be to have light rail vehicles share space with traffic within core areas, somewhat resembling the traditional streetcar networks of many European cities, and of nearby Toronto. A bus rapid transit line would also face the challenge of the cramped core areas, and thus would also likely share space with traffic in core areas.[17]
In late 2011, planning was well underway and preparations were being made. In October, a property on Dutton Drive in Waterloo, bordering the rail-line corridor where the LRT is planned to be installed, was purchased to serve as a maintenance and storage yard for the system's trains.[18]
Vehicles
On July 10, 2013, it was reported that a deal was finalized with Metrolinx to join its contract with Bombardier Transportation for the purchase of 14 Flexity Freedom trainsets to form the system's initial fleet, with an option to purchase up to 14 more as the need arises.[19] A further report on July 12, 2013 stated that the region would be purchasing 14 trainsets, with an option to buy 16 more.[20]
The 14 vehicles are estimated to cost $92.4 million, an average of $6.6 million per vehicle. The cost breakdown is: [21]
- vehicles - $61.1-million
- spare parts - $6.5-million
- tools and equipment, taxes, currency exchange - $7-million
- contingencies - $11-million in contingencies.
Each 30 metre long, 30 tonne, vehicle has 56 seats and a standing capacity of 144 passengers. The body is constructed of five sections, in an accordion-like configuration to allow for making sharp turns. It can be driven from either end. The top speed is 88 km/h but the average travel speed is unlikely to exceed 50 km/h.[5]
Vehicle delivery and testing
Production of the new vehicles was expected to begin in 2015 with the first to be delivered no later than August 2016 and all vehicles were to be received by the end of 2016.[22][21] On April 13, 2016, it was reported that Bombardier had informed the transit authority that delivery of the vehicles would be delayed.[23]
The region entered a joint agreement with Metrolinx and Bombardier in July 2013 for 14 light rail vehicles, as well as an option to buy up to 14 more. Under the original agreement, the first vehicle was to be delivered no later than August 2016, and the 14th by December 2016.
On May 20, 2016, Bombardier announced that to avoid further delays it would shift construction of the vehicles for the Ion system from its Thunder Bay plant to another plant in Kingston, Ontario.[24]
The first vehicle, number 501 (its ends are labeled 501A and 501B), arrived in Waterloo Region on February 24, 2017.[25] By mid-March 2017, the second to fifth vehicles were seen by a CTV reporter as under construction in the Kingston plant.[26] Testing of vehicle 501 was scheduled to commence in May 2017 on the line between Northfield Drive and Silver Lake.[5]
In early April 2017, the Region expected to receive a second light rail vehicle in June or July, but that was postponed to late August or early September.[27] The schedule then calls for delivery of another each 15 days, for a total of 14 by year end. Operation of the full LRT service was expected to start in spring 2018.[5]
Facilities
The Ion fleet will be stored and maintained at the Ion Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF) located at 518 Dutton Drive in Waterloo.[28]
The design of each of the stops will be focused on an 'anchor wall', a large 4m-square panel subdivided into smaller tiles of glass, ceramic or stone; each station will have a unique wall design based on the surrounding architecture, landmarks and social character.[29][30]
Route
The route approved by Regional Council travels in a mix of on-road and off-road (in various existing rights-of-way) configurations.
Phase 1
- On-road From Conestoga stop in Waterloo, the route follows King Street then west on Northfield Drive, using its existing bridge to cross the Conestoga Parkway, to the Region-owned rail spur line at Northfield stop.
- Off-road It then follows the Region-owned rail spur line (also known as the Waterloo Spur) from Northfield Drive, passing the Research and Technology, University of Waterloo and Laurier - Waterloo Park stops to Uptown Waterloo, replacing the existing tracks. This line is used by the Waterloo Central Railway and Goderich-Exeter Railway and will remain open to freight traffic outside of transit service hours.[31]
- On-road In Uptown Waterloo, it would split into a one-way system going north on King Street (location of the Waterloo Public Square stop) and south on Caroline Street (Willis Way stop), and along Allen Street to rejoin as a two-way system along King Street past Allen and Grand River Hospital stops. In Downtown Kitchener, the route would split at Central Station - Innovation District stop (home to the future Transit Hub) into a one-way system going north on Duke and Frederick Streets (including Kitchener City Hall and Frederick stops) and south on Charles Street (Victoria Park and Queen), and back to a two-way system on Charles Street at Benton Street. From downtown Kitchener, the route would follow Charles Street past Kitchener Market and Borden stops, then take a one-way system using Ottawa Street northbound and Borden Street southbound to Mill stop.
- Off-road It then travels two-way along the CN rail right-of-way (alongside existing tracks to allow full freight access), under the Conestoga Parkway in a dedicated tunnel, beside Hayward Avenue, beside Courtland Avenue (past Block Line stop) and through the hydro corridor adjacent to Fairway Road, to Fairway stop.
Phase 2
- Off-road From Fairview Park Mall the route then parallels the CPR rail line under Highway 8, over the Grand River, past Sportsworld station, under Highway 401, over the Speed River, to Eagle Street in Preston at Preston station.
- On-road on Eagle Street to Hespeler/Eagle station, then along Hespeler Road past Cambridge Centre and Can-Amera stations to Delta station, and on Water Street into Downtown Cambridge to the Ainslie Terminal station.[32]
On-road sections keep the trains in dedicated lanes that do not mix with general traffic.
In February 2017, after limitations in the original route design came to light, a new preliminary preferred route plan was published.[33] This would no longer use the CPR line south of Fairway; instead, it would travel to the east of it, along the River Rd extension and across Hwy 8; along King St into the Sportsworld area and under Hwy 401; along Shantz Hill Rd into Preston, and crossing the Speed River on a dedicated bridge.
The subsequent plan, rejected by Cambridge City Council in July 2017,[34] indicated that the track would take Eagle St toward Hespeler, but to avoid conflicts with rail corridors and reduce traffic impacts at Eagle/Pinebush, would travel along the freight spur to Hespeler Rd. As previously, Hespeler Rd would be followed toward the Delta intersection, but to avoid traffic impacts it would veer east along the rail corridor behind Norfolk Ave, then transition to an abandoned railway corridor behind Grantham and Beverly Sts, before coming into downtown Galt near the Ainslie Terminal.[35] (At least one journalist has pointed out the similarity between this plan and the electric Grand River Railway of the early 1900s.)[36]
Staging
The Region approved a staged implementation plan for its rapid transit system:
Stage 1 – Implementation of LRT north of Fairview Park Mall and adapted Bus Rapid Transit south of Fairview Park Mall, including:
- LRT from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener;
- Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener to Ainslie Street Terminal in downtown Cambridge
- Re-aligned Grand River Transit (GRT) bus service to provide an expanded level of service to the rapid transit stations along primary feeder corridors;
- Express bus service, modelled after the current iXpress service, to high ridership centres throughout the Region (i.e., Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, etc.);
- Connections to intercity transit such as GO Bus, GO Train, Greyhound and Via Rail.
The stage 1 route will be 19 kilometres long.[21]
Stage 2 – Completion of a light rail transit system from Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street transit terminal in downtown Cambridge. Commencement of Stage 2 to follow completion of Stage 1 as closely as possible.
Bids
Out of the seven groups that showed an interest in the project, by December 18, 2013, three consortiums had submitted bids to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Ion system:[37][38]
- GrandLinq which includes Plenary Group Canada; Meridiam Infrastructure Waterloo; Aecon; Kiewit; Mass Electric Construction Canada; Keolis; STV Canada Construction; AECOM and CIBC World Markets.
- Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Transit Partners which included Gracorp Capital Advisors; Connor, Clark & Lunn GVest Traditional; Infrastructure Partnership; Parsons; Graham Infrastructure; IBI Group; E & E Seegmiller; Guild Electric; Alternate Concepts and Investec North America.
- Tricity Transit System which included SNC-Lavalin; EllisDon; Fengate Capital Management; URS Canadian Operations; and Hatch Mott MacDonald.
The winning bid was selected at a committee meeting on March 4, 2014.[39] GrandLinq is the preferred bidder.[40] The final approval of the GrandLinq bid came at a full council meeting on March 19,[41] and financial close was made May 9.[42]
Construction
Utility relocation and other associated work began in late 2013. Construction officially started with a groundbreaking event on August 21, 2014.[43]
The first sections of the route scheduled for work were Borden Avenue in Kitchener, and Caroline Street in Waterloo.[44] In early 2015, work shifted to Charles Street and King Street in Kitchener, and within the railway corridors. In March, under a stretch of King Street, GrandLinq reported finding wooden rail ties from the streetcar line, abandoned in the 1950s, unearthed during excavation.[45]
By late 2015, many stretches of track were installed and some future stations had their concrete pads poured.
By the end of 2016, system construction was 90% complete, including full completion of the maintenance facility and all underground utility work.[46]
Design
The stations are being constructed to be the length of a two-vehicle train; however, as only single vehicles are anticipated to be required initially, the major station facilities are only being built for a single vehicle length at start. This consists of a cantilevered glass canopy over a mostly open waiting area; enclosures will be built at most stations to provide some shelter. Each station will also be recognizable by a 'feature wall', a 3m-square installation near the end of the platform that will carry a distinct colour scheme and pattern. The wall face will be a series of large tiles in glass, ceramic or stone; at some stations, all tiles will be the same, while others will feature a unique pattern. Each wall will feature illuminated Ion and GRT logos, as well as the station's name set in Clearview. A second wall can be installed at the opposite end of each platform, and will be erected when two-vehicle trains become the norm. Several stations will also benefit from additional public art installations.
Stations
Politics
The proposal has attracted vocal support and opposition.
Support
In May 2009, a Facebook group named "I Support Light Rail Transit in the Region of Waterloo" was created, and boasted over 1,600 members.[47] Shortly after its creation, the group creator and other LRT supporters formed the "Tri-Cities Transport Action Group" (TriTAG).[48] According to its website, TriTAG supports LRT as a needed method of shaping development, meeting future capacity needs, protecting the environment, and providing the most economical solution for transportation in the Region.[49] Six months after founding, TriTAG launched an email campaign to allow supporters of LRT to email their MPs, MPPs, and other government officials such as the federal and provincial Ministers of Transportation. Within a few days, thousands of emails had been sent.[50] For the 2010 Regional Budget, TriTAG and its supporters presented to the Regional Budget Committee regarding various areas of transportation funding. While the focus was not on LRT, the delegates spoke about the importance of proper transportation infrastructure (pedestrian, cycling, transit) on a successful LRT system.[51][52] TriTAG has continued their support of the project into the bid stage in 2014; a notable contribution is a video outlining the landmarks and amenities that the route will access.[53] Proponents have asserted that the region's plans for rapid transit will be an essential component of planning and rationally controlling the Region's growth.[54]
Opposition
A group opposed to the rapid transit proposal, called "Taxpayers for Sensible Transit" (T4ST), was formed in June 2009. According to its website, T4ST opposes LRT as being a proposal too big and too expensive for the region, which will hurt businesses and the local economy.[55] Taxpayers for Sensible Transit did not present a position regarding transportation and transit funding for the 2010 Regional Budget.
In September 2013 Doug Craig, the mayor of Cambridge, Ontario, called for the examining the cost of cancelling the light rail line.[56] He justified this examination due to doubts by Toronto politicians over its light rail line.
On November 19, 2013, it was reported that Craig was working to "extricate" Cambridge from any obligation to pay for the line connecting it to Kitchener, while, at the same time, trying to argue for connecting Cambridge to Toronto, via a GO Train.[57]
The first candidate to announce his run for Mayor of the City of Waterloo in the 2014 election, local media personality Dave MacDonald, was running on a primarily anti-LRT platform.[58]
In March 2014, just as the Region was preparing to give final approval to the construction contract, a group titled "Coalition Stop Waterloo LRT" filed a legal injunction against the project, claiming it did not meet planning guidelines and should be stopped. A court decision on March 18 dismissed the motion, but did not rule out further legal review.[59] It later emerged that the only citizen directly associated with the filing coalition was local businessman Jay Aissa.[60] Ann Tucker of the Ontario Superior Court dismissed the suit on March 19, 2014.[61]
In July, Aissa announced that he was dropping further legal challenges, and instead would take a political option to oppose the project, running against incumbent Regional chairman Ken Seiling. Seiling was re-elected Chairman with 58.4% of the vote.[62]
After publication of the February 2017 route plan, some citizens of Cambridge, particularly in the Preston area, were strongly objecting to the route, especially the section planned for Shantz hill and certain residential areas. City Council particularly objected to the Shantz Hill Road to Hespeler Road section and passed a motion in early July 2017 instructing staff to advise the Region of this and to request that alternatives be explored.[63][64]
Construction progress
In late February 2017, Bombardier Transportation had delivered a single sample-only train car for testing. [65] The Region reiterated that Stage 1 rail service would start in "early" 2018.[66]
At that time, plans for Stage 2 were still in the very early stage. Public consultation was to start soon, but in mid 2017, that process was postponed to 2018.[67] Some routes and stops had been agreed upon in 2011, but the final plan was scheduled for completion in mid 2017.[68][69]
Because Stage 2 was still years away in March 2017, Grand River Transit was providing rapid transit between Fairview Park Mall and the Ainslie Street Transit Terminal (in the "downtown Galt" area) using iXpress buses. Adapted versions would become available in the near future for the Ion bus. Other stops are at Hespeler Road at the Delta, Can-Amera, Cambridge Centre, Pinebush, and Sportsworld. The rapid transit vehicles use bus-only lanes at Pinebush, Munch and Coronation to minimize slowdowns at times of heavy traffic. After the LRT train has started operating in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Ion bus will provide a direct link to that system.[70][71] No firm estimates had been published as to the possible start of (Stage 2) light rail service to Cambridge but a report in early July 2017 suggested that construction would not begin until 2025.[72]
See also
References
- ↑ "Ion". official site. 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ↑ http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council/Detail/2017-03-22-Council/CA2017-0322.1.pdf#page=7
- 1 2 "What is Ion?". official site. 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Ion approved as name for Waterloo Region LRT". Waterloo Region Record. April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Pender, Terry (April 10, 2017). "First of the Ion trains wows thousands". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7408649-cambridge-council-opposes-proposed-lrt-route-through-preston/
- ↑ http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/opendatadownloads/The_Corridor_Today-chapter_1.pdf
- ↑ http://centraltransitcorridor.ca/?cat=11
- ↑ "Waterloo Region's Rapid Transit System to Shape Growth, Development". Metro Magazine. October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ↑ "LRT rollout delayed, Bombardier blamed". Waterloo Region Record. May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ Sharkey, Jackie (February 2017). "Stage 2 ION: Light Rail Transit (LRT)" (PDF). Region of Waterloo. Region of Waterloo. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ↑ Region of Waterloo report E-08-070
- ↑ "GLOBE EDITORIAL: No desire for this Waterloo streetcar". Globe and Mail. August 1, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
For an area with such a reputation for intelligence and education, however, the region's train plan is a surprisingly poor idea. And an issue of national significance.
- ↑ "Margaret Avenue bridge now history as demolition continues in Kitchener". Waterloo Region Record. November 7, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ↑ Barrick, Frances (June 25, 2009). "Region approves rail plan: Council votes 15-1 in favour of bringing electric trains to region". Waterloo Region Record. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Ontario Budget 2008: Chapter I, Section B". Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ↑ "Homepage - Rapid Transit" (PDF). Rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
- ↑ Outhit, Jeff (October 27, 2011). "Rail yard purchased for rapid transit". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ↑ Desmond, Paige (July 11, 2013). "Region approves purchase of Bombardier LRT trains". Waterloo Region Record. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ↑ Bowen, Douglas John (July 12, 2013). "Waterloo opts for Bombardier LRVs". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
The first of the Flexity Freedom LRV are due to be delivered in mid-2016, and will be used on the 19km, 16-station line from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. The $C 92.4m ($US 89.2m) contract will include an option for 16 additional vehicles.
- 1 2 3 "Waterloo Regional Council approves purchase of Bombardier LRT vehicles". The Globe and Mail. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7382490-delivery-of-second-ion-train-delayed/
- ↑ Paige Desmond (April 13, 2016). "Bombardier LRT vehicles delayed". Waterloo Region Record. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016.
After months of saying troubles at Bombardier would not impact the region's light rail vehicles, officials now say at least two trains will be late.
- ↑ Paige Desmond (May 20, 2016). "Bombardier moves LRT train production to Kingston to keep project on track". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
Marc-André Lefebvre, head of communications with Bombardier Canada, said five of the region's 14 light rail vehicles will be completed in Thunder Bay and the rest will be made in Kingston starting in 2017.
- ↑ Jeff Hicks (February 25, 2017). "Waterloo Region LRT: One train down, 13 to go". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Construction on LRT vehicles in full swing at Bombardier plant". CTV Kitchener. Bell Media. March 15, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lrt-vehicle-two-delayed-delivery-1.4169068
- ↑ "Construction is starting at the ION Operations, Maintenance, and Storage Facility at 518 Dutton in Waterloo" (PDF). Region of Waterloo. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Meet the Brampton commuter behind Waterloo’s LRT project". Toronto Star. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
Each stop on the ION LRT will have a unique identifying piece of art or feature wall using different treatments and finishes that reflect the neighbourhood.
- ↑ "ION Stop Anchor Wall Designs" (PDF). Region of Waterloo. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Popular Waterloo tourist train route cut short by LRT plan". CBC News. March 11, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ↑ "Home/ION Information/Maps/System". Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Division. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-ont-lrt-ion-phase-2-proposed-route-announced-1.3976320
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-city-council-planning-development-committee-lrt-proposed-route-1.4191845
- ↑ "Stage 2 ION: Public Consultation Centre No. 2" (PDF). Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Division. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ↑ "CAMBRIDGE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON WATERLOO REGION’S LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT". Waterloo Region. Waterloo Region. January 19, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
the first electric line running up Water and King Streets from Galt to the Mineral Springs Hotel across the Speed River in Preston ... Next, the train line extended north of Kitchener and a spur line ran into Hespeler.
- ↑ http://www.rideion.ca/common-questions.html
- ↑ Kieth Barrow (December 18, 2013). "Three bidders vie for Waterloo LRT contract". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
THREE consortia have submitted bids to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, for the $C 536m ($US 505m) PPP contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the city's first light rail line.
- ↑ Lynch, Pat (February 27, 2014). "Why Waterloo Must Embrace Light Rail Transit To Survive". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
In an election year, anything goes: While Waterloo Region council convenes on March 4 to vote on a $550-million contract for the work and materials for the project (which has technically already started), the first candidate to file his nomination papers for October's Waterloo mayoral contest has decided to run on an anti-LRT platform...and he's finding supporters.
- ↑ Desmond, Paige (February 28, 2014). "Top LRT bid comes in under budget". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ↑ Desmond, Paige (March 20, 2014). "Cambridge won’t get break on share of LRT costs". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ↑ "Region finalizes agreement with GrandLinq for ION Stage 1 LRT". Region of Waterloo. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
- ↑ "ION ground-breaking ceremony set for August 21". Region of Waterloo. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ↑ Desmond, Paige. "Caroline, Borden first sites for LRT work". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ Kevin Swayze (March 27, 2015). "Century-old streetcar line found under LRT construction". Kitchener, Ontario: Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
Evidence of a century-old streetcar line between Kitchener and Waterloo has been uncovered as work starts on a new light rail transit system along King Street. A path of about 300 metres of rotten wooden ties down the middle of King near Wellington Street marks the old railway route, where the rails were removed in the 1950s.
- ↑ Desmond, Paige (December 23, 2016). "LRT construction 90 per cent complete". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ↑ "I Support Light Rail Transit in the Region of Waterloo". Facebook.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ↑ "TriTAG". Tri-Cities Transport Action Group.
- ↑ "Why Light Rail?". Tri-Cities Transport Action Group/.
- ↑ "Tri-Cities Transport Action Group Counters T4ST Misinformation With New Website". Exchange. Waterloo Region: 1. November 6, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
- ↑ "TriTAG’s presentation to the Regional budget committee". Tri-Cities Transport Action Group.
- ↑ "Budget Committee - November 25, 2009 Public Input Minutes". Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario: The Region of Waterloo. November 25, 2009.
- ↑ "VIDEO: Where will ION Light Rail Transit take you?". Tri-Cities Transport Action Group. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ↑ Tess Kalinowski (December 10, 2015). "While GTA crawls ahead, Waterloo Region leads way on light rail". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
At one point Bhatti says he could count 21 construction cranes along the LRT route as developers have embraced the project with new highrise condos and offices springing up along the line.
- ↑ "Main Page - Wiki". Taxpayers for Sensible Transit.
- ↑ "Cambridge mayor wants to look at cost of cancelling LRT: Doug Craig favours bus rapid transit". CBC News. August 20, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
While Craig called for examining the cost of the potential cancellation of the LRT, he stopped short of providing what would constitute a reasonable price tag, saying instead that he believed the region could easily opt out of its current plan in favour of something else, even though construction on light rail had already started.
- ↑ Martin, Ray (November 19, 2013). "Mayor wants Cambridge exempt from paying for Light Rail Transit in Kitchener, Waterloo". Waterloo Region Record. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Broadcaster to run for Waterloo mayor on anti-LRT platform". CBC News. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Judge dismisses motion to stop LRT construction". CBC News. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ↑ Grant, Amanda. "Twitter / amandamgrant". Twitter. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
Only Jay Aissa is listed.
- ↑ Bowen, Douglas John (March 19, 2014). "Judge dismisses challenge to Waterloo LRT". Railway Magazine. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014.
Ontario Superior Court Judge Ann Tucker rejected a challenge by a businessman to delay the project. Tucker's ruling on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in part noted the plaintiff "is not a ratepayer of this region".
- ↑ Ken Seiling remains Waterloo Region chair, winning by comfortable margin
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7408649-cambridge-council-opposes-proposed-lrt-route-through-preston/
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-city-council-planning-development-committee-lrt-proposed-route-1.4191845
- ↑ Sharkey, Jackie (February 24, 2017). "First ION LRT car has arrived in Waterloo Region: Take a look". CTV News. Bell Media. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ↑ Flanagan, Ryan (February 24, 2017). "Bombardier '100% committed' to delivering Ion vehicles by end of 2017". CTV News. Bell Media. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7408649-cambridge-council-opposes-proposed-lrt-route-through-preston/
- ↑ Sharkey, Jackie (February 8, 2017). "There's still wiggle room in the Region of Waterloo's LRT plans for Cambridge". CBC. CBC. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ↑ Sharkey, Jackie (February 2017). "Stage 2 ION: Light Rail Transit (LRT)" (PDF). Region of Waterloo. Region of Waterloo. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ↑ "RAPID TRANSIT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHASE 2, STEP 3b – PREFERRED RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM OPTION AND STAGING PLAN" (PDF). Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ↑ "ION Bus Rapid Transit - Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7408649-cambridge-council-opposes-proposed-lrt-route-through-preston/
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ion rapid transit. |
- rideION's channel on YouTube (Official YouTube channel)
- ION Track Installation on YouTube Published on February 11, 2016.
- ION Update - June 2016 on YouTube Published on June 1, 2016.
- How do we power our trains? on YouTube Published on October 19, 2016.
- How are ION trains operated? on YouTube Published on Apr 4, 2017. Simplified overview of ION operations.
- ION signage on YouTube Published on April 5, 2017. New signs for motorists near LRT tracks; white bar traffic lights for ION trains.
- Building the King Street Grade Separation on YouTube Published on July 25, 2017.
- Official construction website
- Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Home
- Region of Waterloo - Central Transit Corridor Project
- Region of Waterloo - Map of Ion & iXpress routes
- Unloading the first Ion LRV on YouTube Published on February 27, 2017 by a railfan.