ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Markster]

Why is it only on one side?

Aha, but it is on both sides! Here's a picture of some on the West side of King.
   

I hope that more will go in, after they finish the track work.  If not, then... I guess they determined there wasn't enough space?

Marketer, on UrbanToronto, you said:

They built this station with two side platforms, to reduce the property impact at the mall.

...with regard to the terminus stations.
[...]
Or do you mean because the length of the whole thing is greater because the tracks have to spread prior to going in?

That is my understanding. A centre platform may only be 1.5x as wide as a side platform, but there's also the wasted space as the tracks spread apart (and converge back together).

I can only think of two that I have done that have what you suggest (with the single track toward the ends), and that's the new Canada Line in Vancouver [....]  Actually when I rode the Canada Line I was shocked at the configuration; I immediately understood why they did it, but thought it was really poor future planing because an expansion would be that much harder to push through.

My understanding of that is that it was strictly a cost-savings measure. The PPP that was building it cut-cut-cut to get the thing in under-budget, and that meant several concessions, including the single-tracked end-of-line, the short station boxes, single-entrances, and cut-and-cover being used to build most of the line.

Though it's quite amusing how there's a bank right where the second track should be...

[Canard]

That is my understanding. A centre platform may only be 1.5x as wide as a side platform, but there's also the wasted space as the tracks spread apart (and converge back together).

I've totally never thought of it that way before, and you're exactly right.  Mind blown.  

Though it's quite amusing how there's a bank right where the second track should be...

OMG, I didn't notice that at the time, either (though it was dark when I rode out to that end and back, and I had probably walked to the tail end of the train to try and get the "driver's seat" for the return journey ).

That's unreal!

   

[boatracer]

Looks like they are going to have to reinstall some crossing equipment on Columbia after an accident this morning.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Speed and alcohol a factor in early morning crash on Columbia in Waterloo. Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/jgmacken">@jgmacken</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wn5qIh6tSA">https://t.co/Wn5qIh6tSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/DIjYbo1bw1">pic.twitter.com/DIjYbo1bw1</a></p>&mdash; 570 NEWS - Kitchener (@570NEWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/570NEWS/status/793470829388587009">November 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[urbd]

Where would the expansion from Conestoga Mall go — back down King St? If half the trains take the loop clockwise vs counterclockwise, then the ones that take the turn up to Elmira will screw up the spacing.

I'd actually thought that King St to University Ave was a natural extension for the ION. In any case, nothing has yet been decided, and we have yet to determine Stage 2's preferred routing through Cambridge.

I 100% agree with you, but what would be better... turning west on University, or continuing south on King St and connecting at Waterloo Town Square with Phase 1?

[Canard]

Looks like they are going to have to reinstall some crossing equipment on Columbia after an accident this morning.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Speed and alcohol a factor in early morning crash on Columbia in Waterloo. Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/jgmacken">@jgmacken</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wn5qIh6tSA">https://t.co/Wn5qIh6tSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/DIjYbo1bw1">pic.twitter.com/DIjYbo1bw1</a></p>&mdash; 570 NEWS - Kitchener (@570NEWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/570NEWS/status/793470829388587009">November 1, 2016</a></blockquote>

Good grief!

At least there is still a huge stockpile in the lot on Borden.

[dunkalunk]

I'd actually thought that King St to University Ave was a natural extension for the ION. In any case, nothing has yet been decided, and we have yet to determine Stage 2's preferred routing through Cambridge.

I 100% agree with you, but what would be better... turning west on University, or continuing south on King St and connecting at Waterloo Town Square with Phase 1?

Running south of University Ave on King St would require the trains run in mixed traffic, which could mean delays caused by operating in mixed traffic. However, this section of King is likely to have high enough ridership to warrant a high-capacity service and mixed-traffic operation could be considered worthwhile.

West of the University of Waterloo, rapid transit corridors become less obvious. Columbia, Erb, and University are all candidates.

[danbrotherston]

I 100% agree with you, but what would be better... turning west on University, or continuing south on King St and connecting at Waterloo Town Square with Phase 1?

Running south of University Ave on King St would require the trains run in mixed traffic, which could mean delays caused by operating in mixed traffic. However, this section of King is likely to have high enough ridership to warrant a high-capacity service and mixed-traffic operation could be considered worthwhile.

West of the University of Waterloo, rapid transit corridors become less obvious. Columbia, Erb, and University are all candidates.

Why would it *have* to run mixed traffic, there are a multitude of other options, you could split and run one track down Regina, or both down Regina, you could close King to Vehicular traffic and run trains instead, or you could even narrow the sidewalks, take out the bike lanes and parking and squeeze them with car traffic.

These are all physically possible, but probably not politically possible today. But considering how far this in the future, who knows what the city will look like when a King St. phase is being considered, I don't think we should confine ourselves to the politics of today when imagining tomorrow.

[Elmira Guy]

"I don't think we should confine ourselves to the politics of today when imagining tomorrow."

That's good! I like that! I might get that tattooed on my ... person.

Sincerely, well put.

[dunkalunk]

Running south of University Ave on King St would require the trains run in mixed traffic, which could mean delays caused by operating in mixed traffic. However, this section of King is likely to have high enough ridership to warrant a high-capacity service and mixed-traffic operation could be considered worthwhile.

West of the University of Waterloo, rapid transit corridors become less obvious. Columbia, Erb, and University are all candidates.

Why would it *have* to run mixed traffic, there are a multitude of other options, you could split and run one track down Regina, or both down Regina, you could close King to Vehicular traffic and run trains instead, or you could even narrow the sidewalks, take out the bike lanes and parking and squeeze them with car traffic.

These are all physically possible, but probably not politically possible today.  But considering how far this in the future, who knows what the city will look like when a King St. phase is being considered, I don't think we should confine ourselves to the politics of today when imagining tomorrow.

King St Streetscape improvements between University and the ION tracks are set to begin construction after ION construction is complete. This will reduce King to one lane in each direction with centre-left turning provisions, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes. Political realities can change, but I can't see wide sidewalks and bike lanes being sacrificed for a dedicated right-of-way.

http://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/uptowns...vement.asp

[Canard]

So... hrm.

Two separate crews are currently at R&T Park and UoW. They've un clipped both of the freight gauntlet rails, painted them black, and are re-clipping them down.

Anyone know why?

[KevinL]

Some obscure Transport Canada requirement?

[Canard]

All I could figure was maybe insulation for train detection or something?

[rangersfan]

Going by tonight there was a large hole dug up at the Northfield and the Expressway southbound ramp, and Northfield was down to one eastbound lane in that section. This wasn't the case last week.

[Pheidippides]

Probably related to work Waterloo North Hydro is doing in those parts that will necessitate a short closure of the ramps again. It was in the update last week.

[KevinL]

Construction at Duke and Frederick means the Remembrance Day service has been moved away from the cenotaph (it will be held at City Hall instead).