ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[razzie13]

I'm just wondering how come they aren't installing the new LED fixtures on the poles, given the entire region will be going through an upgrade over the next 18 months or so. I've spotted the older sodium lamps on the new poles downtown on Queen at Charles, I believe.



Checked out the crossing at Wilson Ave. today, and the embedded track is all in. The surrounding road just needs to be paved and it should be ready to go.

[The85]

I'm just wondering how come they aren't installing the new LED fixtures on the poles, given the entire region will be going through an upgrade over the next 18 months or so. I've spotted the older sodium lamps on the new poles downtown on Queen at Charles, I believe.



Checked out the crossing at Wilson Ave. today, and the embedded track is all in. The surrounding road just needs to be paved and it should be ready to go.

I've noticed that too and it appears that the electrical subcontractor is recycling and reusing cobrahead high pressure sodium fixtures in their inventory (likely ones taken down earlier in construction) as an interim solution before LED fixtures are rolled out in coming months. Keep in mind the electrical subcontractor is installing these fixtures - not the local hydro utilities as per usual practice.

The Region's illumination policy currently calls for full cutoff (darksky friendly) fixtures on all regional roads (when new lights installed or rebuilt), and some of the fixtures installed so far on new poles aren't even full cutoff fixtures, which leads me to believe this is just a temporary solution and they're just installing whatever they have for now to just light the roads.

[Canard]

What makes you guys think they won't be installing LED fixtures? The photos I posted don't show any fixtures installed yet.

[The85]

What makes you guys think they won't be installing LED fixtures? The photos I posted don't show any fixtures installed yet.

I'm just basing my assumption on what has already been done in some sections that are further along in construction (photos from previous posts in this thread):

[Canard]

I see! I hadn't noticed that, thanks. That is quite curious.

[dunkalunk]

Was down at Fairway earlier today.

[Canard]

Strange that that fence/railing has gone up first! Seems like that's about the very last thing that should have been installed.

The more I think about it, the more I think that the crossovers at Conestoga and Fairway will both be embedded. I have a hunch on why that is - let's see if I'm right.

[dunkalunk]

Strange that that fence/railing has gone up first!  Seems like that's about the very last thing that should have been installed.

The more I think about it, the more I think that the crossovers at Conestoga and Fairway will both be embedded.  I have a hunch on why that is - let's see if I'm right.

That fence/railing is part of the retaining wall. I think the wall has to be there before track and platforms can be put in. It also may have been a necessity in order to give Cadillac Fairview their parking back as soon as possible.

[Canard]

I suppose; just seems like the kind of fragile detail work that could be easily damaged by a crane or backhoe.

[GtwoK]

Was getting their parking back as soon as possible REALLY a requirement? The area had been barricaded off at least a year before construction there was even started! That, and I don't think I've ever seen the parking lot full enough for those to even be occupied

[ert86]

Was getting their parking back as soon as possible REALLY a requirement? The area had been barricaded off at least a year before construction there was even started! That, and I don't think I've ever seen the parking lot full enough for those to even be occupied

I think you might be forgetting that they moved the Hydro lines underground before LRT crews moved in.

[GtwoK]

Was getting their parking back as soon as possible REALLY a requirement? The area had been barricaded off at least a year before construction there was even started! That, and I don't think I've ever seen the parking lot full enough for those to even be occupied

I think you might be forgetting that they moved the Hydro lines underground before LRT crews moved in.

That's true, but there was still barricades up blocking of completely usable parking:

[tomh009]

Some updates from this morning:

Traffic lights operational at Cameron Heights:
   

Look what has arrived!  On Charles, between Cameron and Stirling.
   

Sidewalk poured between Borden and Ottawa.  Textured border between the sidewalk and the curb maybe?
   

Gravel has been brought in for grading the rail bed, on Ottawa near Charles.
   

[tomh009]

Cat poles being installed at the Queen St station.  I didn't think this would happen until the rest of the concrete was poured for the station platform, but here we are ...

   

   

[Pheidippides]

A few uptown updates:
-along caroline the gap between the sidewalk and the curb is being filled in using rectangular bricks with sand between the gaps instead of the poured textured concrete we have seen in other places like along Charles
-traffic signal poles are going up at king and Allen
-the imbeded track is now properly framed from George to William along king and should be poured any day
-a few cat pole bases are now in place between the pizza place and the public square
-someone was asking about the fencing, well it seems as if the temporary orange construction fence came down only to be replaced by temporary green constrction fencing

Finally a question:
Why is there so little activity between William and willis the last few weeks? There are no workers, little equipment, and few supplies. The section is more or less level with some rough staking in place. All the activity is between the freight tracks and willis. Is here somethinbin that section that needs to bedinished before they can proceed with the other part of king?