King-Victoria Transit Hub

[jordan2423]

Meanwhile, in Innisfil...

Simcoe.com, Innisfil GO station gets funding commitment, council endorses development vision

I have literally never heard of Innisfil and their transit hub is 100x better than the possible KW one.
wth?
with a population of 35k ???? what in the world?

[tomh009]

We had nice renders for the transit hub before, too. Anyone can do a render. It doesn't mean that it'll get built.

[welltoldtales]

The province offered $43m last year. I was worried when that was announced that we would find a way to suddenly make that the total budget so we didn't have to actually create a budget for the project.

I was really hopeful for a German style transit hub, befitting of our german roots, but it really does look same old, same old from the region. I am sure it will be fine in the end and I know they have said they will work on the pedestrian stuff but man. Heat the tracks. Make this thing something truly incredible.

[KevinL]

So it seems the issue pushing the platforms across Duke is not so much the switch to the spur itself, but the signal bridge indicating that switch and the minimum distance required between it and the switch, and it and the end of a platform.

Look slike this wasn't realized when they built partial platforms on the King St overpass. :/

[danbrotherston]

So it seems the issue pushing the platforms across Duke is not so much the switch to the spur itself, but the signal bridge indicating that switch and the minimum distance required between it and the switch, and it and the end of a platform.

Look slike this wasn't realized when they built partial platforms on the King St overpass. :/

Could you elaborate on this?  I'm not sure what a signal bridge is.

[ijmorlan]

So it seems the issue pushing the platforms across Duke is not so much the switch to the spur itself, but the signal bridge indicating that switch and the minimum distance required between it and the switch, and it and the end of a platform.

Look slike this wasn't realized when they built partial platforms on the King St overpass. :/

Could you elaborate on this?  I'm not sure what a signal bridge is.

The structure that holds up the signals above the tracks. Just like on an expressway, where there are often signs supported by posts on both sides of the road.

Sounds like the kind of thing that should be workable. Also, the kind of thing that needs to be realized when designing the overpass, not after it is built. There is a reason why sets of drawings usually include an overall site plan that extends beyond the actual area of construction.

[danbrotherston]

Could you elaborate on this?  I'm not sure what a signal bridge is.

The structure that holds up the signals above the tracks. Just like on an expressway, where there are often signs supported by posts on both sides of the road.

Sounds like the kind of thing that should be workable. Also, the kind of thing that needs to be realized when designing the overpass, not after it is built. There is a reason why sets of drawings usually include an overall site plan that extends beyond the actual area of construction.

I assume then the issue is the train engineer must be able to see this signal before proceeding?

The signal is 40 meters short of the bridge, the GO Transit locomotives are only 20 meters long, even if the locomotive had to stop after the platform, there should be 20 meters to see the signal.

I cannot believe that this could not be made to work.  Even if the train had to reverse before proceeding west, that would be an unfortunate, but possible workaround.

That being said, I also have no issue closing Duke to cars (not peds/cyclists).

[jamincan]

I believe it's the structure over the tracks for the train signals leading up to the switch.

It sounds like a really dumb reason to locate a station somewhere else, but what do I know. I'm mean, they've had stations right in the middle of a junction in the past... I suspect this might be yet another instance of the tail wagging the dog.

[KevinL]

Yes, a signal bridge is an overhead gantry with signal lights, apologies for not clarifying.

I think this is another case of Transport Canada regulations being interpreted overly broadly for newly-built infrastructure - if this had always been there it could be grandfathered in, but a new station has to have everything analyzed to the millimetre. It really creates a double standard.

[welltoldtales]

Metrolinx (and honestly CN) applying broad strokes to the detriment to local users?

I AM SHOCKED!! Who would think that a transit agency from Toronto and another from Ottawa would have little concern for local issues.

Ah well. As long as we can fight for Active transportation access we'll be fine.

[panamaniac]

Metrolinx (and honestly CN) applying broad strokes to the detriment to local users?

I AM SHOCKED!! Who would think that a transit agency from Toronto and another from Ottawa would have little concern for local issues.

Ah well. As long as we can fight for Active transportation access we'll be fine.

I think you mean Montreal.

[welltoldtales]

Metrolinx (and honestly CN) applying broad strokes to the detriment to local users?

I AM SHOCKED!! Who would think that a transit agency from Toronto and another from Ottawa would have little concern for local issues.

Ah well. As long as we can fight for Active transportation access we'll be fine.

I think you mean Montreal.

Learned something new!

[MidTowner]

I assume then the issue is the train engineer must be able to see this signal before proceeding?

The signal is 40 meters short of the bridge, the GO Transit locomotives are only 20 meters long, even if the locomotive had to stop after the platform, there should be 20 meters to see the signal.

I cannot believe that this could not be made to work.  Even if the train had to reverse before proceeding west, that would be an unfortunate, but possible workaround.

That being said, I also have no issue closing Duke to cars (not peds/cyclists).

As welltoldtales pointed out, closing Duke to motor traffic could be a good thing for (many) Mount Hope residents. But it definitely shouldn't be closed to people on foot. Closing Waterloo has already disrupted access from the neighbourhood to downtown. The transit hub is supposed to be a linkage, not a barrier.

If the hub is highly permeable to people on foot and bike, in fact, I'm in favour of it stretching it to the east to close Duke, except for the fact that the connection between Ion and Go should be seamless.

[neonjoe]

Hopefully they at least build a staircase or ramp from the SB iON to the bridge to allow it to be used as pedestrian bridge to the station...even if its not a platform. This will at least shave a few minutes off the transfer and not require the riders to cross King at grade.

[ijmorlan]

Hopefully they at least build a staircase or ramp from the SB iON to the bridge to allow it to be used as  pedestrian bridge to the station...even if its not a platform. This will at least shave a few minutes off the transfer and not require the riders to cross King at grade.

That’s the absolute minimum. Personally, I consider it a travesty if LRT riders, residents of Station Park, or workers at Google have to go outside to get to the trains. But then, I’m just a big technology enthusiast — specifically, the technologies of roofs, walls, windows, and central heating!