ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[KevinL]

I think different stations will be getting slightly different aesthetics, to help set them apart from each other.

[Lens]

I don't think this has been posted here. This is a report detailing what the areas around the stations might look like in the near future. Scroll down to see some great intractable 3D models: http://arcg.is/1lg6gD6

It also looks like Gaukel is planned to be a linear park!

[Canard]

I don't think the Caroline galvanized poles are for OCS - I'm pretty sure those are for traffic control lights.

[jwilliamson]

They've started laying out sleepers from University towards Seagram in the last day or two.

[GtwoK]

I don't think this has been posted here. This is a report detailing what the areas around the stations might look like in the near future. Scroll down to see some great intractable 3D models: http://arcg.is/1lg6gD6

It also looks like Gaukel is planned to be a linear park!

What could these strange bumpy teraform things be? I can't tell what they're supposed to represent. Or why there'd be a pedestrian bridge over Gaukel. Or a multitude of over things that seem to be going on in this model.



It also says a bridge is planned from the end of Charles, over the GO tracks, and connecting with Walter? That's the first I've heard of this... anyone have more information?

Their mockup of a new building on the corner of Queen / Charles looks really nice. Their mockups of some new buildings at Market Sq and the Cedar Station are... interesting:

[Canard]

What did I tell you about architectural renderings not getting the technicalities right? Showing Siemens S70's. Pfffft.

That's really exciting to see those concepts, though.

[nms]

The Canadian Institute is hosting a conference called "Delivering Urban Transit Infrastructure".  Among the speakers will be Thomas Schmidt from the Region in a session called, "The Evolution of Rapid Transit P3 Procurement in Ontario"

"Gain insight on the evolution of rapid transit P3 procurement in Ontario through case studies such as the procurement of Ottawa’s Confederation Line project, the Eglinton Crosstown Project and the Region of Waterloo’s ION LRT in the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. This is an opportunity to learn about unique risk transfer items and how to deal with the procurement and construction of the first LRT Transit Projects in Ontario as well as the lessons learned and how they can be applied to procuring an extension of the next stage of the City of Ottawa’s Transit program while the Confederation Line is still under construction"

[Canard]

Exciting news out of the latest ion email update;

-The first Traction Power Sub Station (TPSS) is going in on Sunday, March 6 up at the Northfield station!
-Trackwork has apparently started on Charles!

[KevinL]

-Trackwork has apparently started on Charles!

Which part? We obviously already have Water-Gaukel.

[Canard]

Er - sorry, duh.    The report says "Track installation has started on Charles, from Benton to Cedar".

I am not around this weekend, so I'll miss the TPSS installation

[GtwoK]

Other great news from the update: The King St rail bridge is being poured TOMORROW and crews will be working overnight! Exciting!

Utility work is also starting at Fairview Mall next week.

[DHLawrence]

I wonder, could the renders in the Victoria Park diagram be related to the mystery development Insider was alluding to, or are they placeholders?

[GtwoK]

Among other pictures in the link, on contained a diagram with a label alluding to a planned building next to the arrow lofts, which I've heard nothing about outside of that diagram. It's quite possible the city has seen proposals for that lot already and included them in the renders.

On the other hand, the model of the transit hub was accurate to the concepts we've seen so far. So if this mysterious property is to be city-buult, I'd say chances are even higher that that's what we're seeing here.

[panamaniac]

Among other pictures in the link, on contained a diagram with a label alluding to a planned building next to the arrow lofts, which I've heard nothing about outside of that diagram. It's quite possible the city has seen proposals for that lot already and included them in the renders.

On the other hand, the model of the transit hub was accurate to the concepts we've seen so far. So if this mysterious property is to be city-buult, I'd say chances are even higher that that's what we're seeing here.

I assume you are referring to the second phase of Arrow Lofts.  I believe the plan for a second tower was approved some time ago, although I've heard nothing about when Auburn might start construction, or whether it will be condo or rental.  They were doing drilling on the site just the other day, but I don't know if this relates to possible construction or to something else.

[KevinL]

So I was in midtown just before sunset, and noticed that some traffic signals have been installed!

Interestingly, we are getting two signalized intersections just 50m apart - the King/Pine/GRH Emergency junction, and the King/GRH main entrance t-intersection.





All this is, of course, right next to Grand River Hospital station.