September 28, 20159 yr Tremendous summary on the GO transit projects in/near Hamilton... Major GO Train Construction for Hamilton For over two decades, Hamilton has been promised all-day two-way GO train service, with many broken promises. Finally, action is occurring at several Hamilton construction sites. By Mark Rejhon Published August 19, 2015 This is part one of a series of articles about GO service expansions to the Hamilton area. As a Ward 3 resident in Hamilton, I commute daily on GO to Toronto. Thus, I spend time researching GO's future plans relating to Hamilton. Many locals are not aware of the exact specific details of GO's ongoing ten-year expansion plan for the greater Hamilton area. This 3-part special feature aims to change that. For over two decades, Hamilton has been promised all-day two-way GO train service, with many broken promises. Understandably, many Hamiltonians are skeptical of GO expansion promises. Finally, action is occurring at several Hamilton construction sites. MORE: http://raisethehammer.org/article/2672 Why do I love Canada? Because they understand that you don't just build a transit line. You build a transit-supportive environment for it.... City rushes to stop fast food, gas stations along LRT line (CBC Hamilton: Tuesday, August 11, 2015) By: Samantha Craggs Gas stations. Fast food drive-thrus. Single-family homes on parcels of land that could easily be home to more lucrative developments. These are all things city planners don't want to see along Hamilton's future light-rail transit (LRT) line. And now they're rushing to get a temporary bylaw in place to try to prevent them. Developers are already approaching the city wanting to build along the route, said Jason Thorne, general manager of planning and economic development. The city wants the right projects to be built along the King Street corridor — namely, not ones that focus on car traffic. The ideal is a multi-storey condo or apartment building with businesses on the ground floor. MORE: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/city-rushes-to-stop-fast-food-gas-stations-along-lrt-line-1.3186234 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 20, 20159 yr @AllAboardOhio 12h: If election projections in Canada are correct, their federal govt will make bigger investments in trains & transit. pic.twitter.com/AwrwYAHCoi "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 20, 20159 yr Selfies, the 21st-century autograph! http://globalnews.ca/video/2288020/justin-trudeau-greets-people-at-montreal-subway-station "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 30, 20159 yr http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/10/ontario-appoints-special-advisor-on-high-speed-rail.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p Ontario Appoints Special Advisor on High-Speed Rail Province’s Plan for High-Speed Rail Will Transform Travel in Southwestern Ontario October 30, 2015 9:00 A.M.Ministry of Transportation Ontario has appointed the Honourable David Collenette as a special advisor to assist the province in bringing high-speed rail to the Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto corridor. Mr. Collenette, a former federal Minister of Transport, will work with public and private sector stakeholders, as well as First Nations and Métis partners, to identify economic development opportunities associated with high-speed trains, assess international experience with high-speed rail and provide advice on a preliminary business case and potential financing models. High-speed rail will improve travel options, reduce travel times and support economic development throughout the southwest corridor and across the province. It will also provide an opportunity to explore new partnerships between business and government, as well as new technologies. Bringing high speed rail to the Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto corridor is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history - more than $130 billion over 10 years, which is making 110,000 jobs possible every year on average across Ontario. The province's infrastructure plan is supported by a number of initiatives, including broadening the ownership of Hydro One -- an approach that raises billions for infrastructure while ensuring consumers are protected. By unlocking the value of provincial assets, the government is supporting critical projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities all across Ontario. Investing in high-speed rail is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan. Quick Facts + The province will consult with the public, municipalities, and business leaders, and engage with First Nations and Métis communities in the corridor. + Planning for high-speed rail service that will connect Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto is part of the Moving Ontario Forward initiative, the government’s long-term transit and infrastructure plan. + Ontario’s population is expected to grow by approximately 40 per cent by 2041, placing additional importance on having modern infrastructure to support a growing population. + Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million, particularly in construction and manufacturing sectors. Quotes “Bringing high-speed rail to Ontario remains a steadfast commitment of our government, as we continue to build the modern transportation infrastructure our province needs to keep moving forward. We know that in order to compete globally for the best jobs and talent, we need transit systems that move people quickly and efficiently across this province, while reducing commute times and improving Ontario’s quality of life. I look forward to working with our special advisor, as well as our business partners, municipalities and First Nations and Métis communities, as we continue to build Ontario up by delivering this transformative vision.” Steven Del Duca Minister of Transportation “Our government is dedicated to investing in strategic infrastructure to grow our economy, including bringing high-speed rail to key corridors across the province. We recognize the importance of quick and efficient transit to keep both our people and our businesses moving. I look forward to working with our experienced special advisor to continue moving this initiative forward, and to ensure Ontario residents have access to modern, innovative transit infrastructure.” Brad Duguid Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to serve the Ontario government for this historic project. High-speed rail is a landmark initiative that will transform travel across the entire province.” The Honourable David Collenette Special Advisor, High Speed Rail "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 6, 20159 yr High-speed rail not the right solution for Canada: Via CEO Kristine Owram | November 3, 2015 7:11 PM ET That the push for new high-speed train systems in Ontario and Alberta is gaining momentum just as the federal Liberals prepare to take office with plans to double infrastructure spending is surely more than a coincidence. But the head of Canada’s dominant passenger rail service, Via Rail Canada, says high-speed rail is a tremendously expensive proposition, and it makes little sense to invest in it until the serious existing congestion problems on Canadian railways is solved. “Back in 2012, there was a report published that pegged the cost of high-speed rail between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal at $10 billion, and for $10 billion it would get you 10-million customers,” said Via CEO Yves Desjardins-Siciliano. Simply providing dedicated passenger lines at conventional speed, he said, “will cost $3 billion for seven million (passengers), so it’s a third of the cost for two-thirds of the benefit.” MORE: http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/high-speed-rail-not-the-right-solution-for-canada-via-ceo "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 12, 20159 yr A press release.... Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems Receives Contract for @GOtransit Electrification | @GannettFleming – https://t.co/epFwWMNaEz #Canada Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems Receives Contract for GO Transit Electrification Project 11.11.2015 (Valley Forge, Pa.) Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems announced that it has received a contract from Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the electrification of the GO Transit rail network. GFT&RS is the North American leader in transit and railroad track, signal, communication, catenary, and electric traction design. “GO Transit’s annual ridership is 68 million and growing,” said Michael T. McNamara, PE, president of GFT&RS. “Gannett Fleming’s extensive experience in rail systems and mass transit services will enable Metrolinx and GO Transit to better respond to this growing demand in order to meet the needs of the region now and into the future.” GFT&RS will assist Metrolinx with this Alternative Financing Procurement through development of bid documents, assistance with procurement, and oversight of design and construction. The firm will deliver electrification standards, environmental assessment, project specific output specifications, analysis of bridge clearances, simulation of railroad operations, and detailed design of enabling works. Some key functions of the team will be negotiating with Hydro One for location of substations, coordination with third parties, and integration of the electrification standards into other projects under way on the network. The electrification is part of the GO Regional Express Rail program, which will expand the capacity of the GO rail network to provide customers with faster, more frequent, and more convenient service to and from dozens of stations in core sections of the GO rail network throughout the day, evenings and weekends. Similar News Releases: Transit & Rail: Mass Transit, Transportation: Transit & Rail, Transportation "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 20159 yr ION @rideIONrt 4h4 hours ago Paving continues on Benton and Charles in @DTKitchener this morning. Stay updated at http://www.rideION.ca "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 20159 yr Ontario government wants railways to make room for GO transit Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said he wants Ottawa to join Ontario in looking for ways to divert freight. By: Tess Kalinowski Transportation reporter, Published on Mon Nov 16 2015 The province wants Canada’s new federal Liberal government to join it in pushing private railways to make room for more passenger trains on the Milton and Kitchener GO lines. Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said it’s time to formalize discussions on rationalizing the Kitchener and Milton tracks, which are still owned in sections by CN and CP. It shouldn’t take more than two hours to travel by rail between Toronto and Waterloo, he told a transit conference organized by the Toronto Region Board of Trade on Monday. Without an agreement with the railways, the province won’t realize the potential of its plan to build high speed rail to connect the tech hub in Waterloo or provide the commuter benefits of its $13.5 billion GO electrified regional express rail program. MORE: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/11/16/toronto-needs-to-rethink-transit-construction-mayor-john-tory-says.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 20159 yr One rail bridge. $120 million. Coming right up.... Metrolinx to move ahead with giant Davenport rail bridge The city had asked for a delay until spring. But the provincial agency says it must launch the approvals process in the New Year. By: Tess Kalinowski Transportation reporter, Published on Tue Nov 17 2015 Residents along the train tracks may have lost the fight to stop Metrolinx from building a three-storey rail overpass near Davenport Rd. north of Bloor St. But that doesn’t resolve the broader issue of reconciling the tight deadlines of the province’s massive GO expansion with Toronto’s city-building agenda, says the local councillor. Metrolinx will move ahead with the approvals process for the 1.5-km rail bridge in January, rather than the spring as the city had expected. The provincial agency says its schedule for the electrified regional express rail program won’t permit further delay. The bridge — which has been referred to as a Gardiner Expressway for GO trains — will allow all-day, two-way service on the Barrie line by eliminating the Davenport diamond where those tracks intersect with the CP freight corridor. MORE: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/11/17/metrolinx-to-move-ahead-with-giant-davenport-rail-bridge.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 23, 20159 yr VIA acquires the Brockville subdivision (in the Toronto-Ottawa corridor) to strengthen rail network dedicated to passenger trains. http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/media-room/latest-news/99672/23-november-2015-via-rail-expands-its-rail-network-acqui "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 30, 20159 yr Big questions for London (Ontario) Light Rail | @LFPress – https://t.co/pm6KWdKun8 #Canada #ONT #transit #LRT "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 7, 20169 yr Hamilton business group intends to counter ‘negative voices’ on LRT https://t.co/KuWQ3Sd4M0 https://t.co/jzCa6kZKBO "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 25, 20169 yr Investment in rail transit used to spur economic growth & shape transit-friendly land use patterns? What a concept! jennifer keesmaat @jen_keesmaat Jan 23 LRT along Kingston Rd: an impetus for private sector investment in midrise in Scarborough. Market is weak otherwise. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 29, 20169 yr Hamilton Spectator @TheSpec 9m9 minutes ago Updating the tracks and improving the shoreline at the same time #HamOnt http://bit.ly/1nTZdAX "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 12, 20169 yr Daily, year-round GO train service between Hamilton and Niagara is one step closer to becoming a reality. http://www.chch.com/niagara-go/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 20169 yr Major Toronto transit plan unveiled | @metrotoronto – https://t.co/pwNziy7VHO #rail #GTA #GTHA #Ontario #Canada #TTC #Metrolinx #trains "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 18, 20169 yr The loud sounds of Hamilton Junction rail bridge expansion for expanded @GOtransit service: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/hamilton-general-service-discussion.21120/page-12#post-1084436 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 18, 20169 yr Construct Canada @ConstructCanada 1m1 minute ago Toronto’s new transit proposals focused on subway, light-rail service http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/torontos-new-transit-proposals-focused-on-subway-light-rail-service/article28763019/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 28, 20169 yr Below is the report of the Canada Transportation Act Review, just laid before Parliament. It should be noted that this report was prepared by the former Conservative government of Steven Harper. Some notes as forwarded by our friends to the north: 1) a separate track for VIA between Toronto-Montreal; 2) secure private sector funding; 3) integrate commuter and passenger networks; 4) eventually allow for high speed rail; 5) direct user-pay pricing for road and rail; 6) consider eliminating subsidies for "The Canadian"; ($55 million in 2014/$591/pax); 7) continue subsidies for "ocean" and remotes (Ocean $36 million/480/pax), (remotes $54 million/$777/pax). 8 ) Also subsidy of $93 million Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal. Discussion on passenger rail begins at p.170 in Volume One, additional material in Appendix J of Volume Two. Here is the link to the report: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/ctareview2014/canada-transportation-act-review.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 2, 20169 yr Via Rail seeking federal budget funding for $1.3B passenger car upgrade in Toronto-Montreal corridor Jason Fekete, Ottawa Citizen | February 29, 2016 | Last Updated: Mar 1 10:09 AM ET More from Jason Fekete, Ottawa Citizen | @jasonfekete OTTAWA – Via Rail Canada Inc. is looking for funding in the March 22 federal budget for a new fleet of cars costing upwards of $1.3 billion that would go with a dedicated Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal passenger rail corridor that could be operational in fall 2019 with the government’s blessing. Via chief executive Yves Desjardins-Siciliano told the Ottawa Citizen the rail carrier also wants the federal government to allow it to proceed with plans to have large pension funds invest in the $2-billion construction of the corridor, a move that requires a cabinet order. Any budget dollars for a new fleet of Via cars for the corridor could be a potential boon to Bombardier Inc., which is looking for some federal financial aid and whose rail division could produce the passenger trains the Crown corporation wants. MORE: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/via-rail-seeking-federal-budget-funding-for-1-3b-passenger-car-upgrade-in-toronto-montreal-corridor "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 19, 20169 yr 65,000 riders per day is pretty good for a streetcar line. In fact it's more than double Cleveland's Red Line ridership.... TTC touts Cherry streetcar as ‘ingenious solution’ to crowding on King St. New 514 streetcar from Dufferin St. to Cherry St. in the Distillery District, using existing tracks and a new loop, will quickly raise capacity on the busiest stretch of its King St. route. By: Tess Kalinowski Transportation reporter, Published on Thu Mar 17 2016 The TTC wants to launch its new Cherry streetcar route to provide a little downtown relief along King St. as soon as June. The new 514 Cherry car would move to the head of the line for Toronto’s incoming fleet of fully accessible Bombardier streetcars running from the new loop at the Distillery District along King St. to the Dufferin Gates loop. Running every eight to nine minutes in the rush hours and every 15 minutes in the off-peak, the Cherry streetcar could be in service on June 19 if the TTC board approves the move at its Wednesday meeting. Projected to attract 51,000 new TTC riders annually, the Cherry car would open up 15 per cent more capacity on the 504 King streetcar. The busiest section of that route, between Bathurst and John Sts., carries about 40,000 of the King car’s 65,000 daily riders. MORE: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/17/ttc-touts-cherry-trolley-as-creative-and-ingenious-solution-to-crowding-on-king-st.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 19, 20169 yr Relief line has been on the Toronto plans for over 100 years. Bloor yonge choke pt critical #topoli @reliefline #drl "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 23, 20169 yr Monday, March 21, 2016 Kitchener-Waterloo LRT making progress Written by John D. Thompson, Canadian Contributing Editor Construction that began in mid-2014 on ION, the premier LRT line for the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, is progressing rapidly, with opening scheduled for fall 2017. Crews are busy at several locations along the 12-mile route, relocating underground utilities, installing the LRT communications system, building track, completing the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF), and constructing a railway underpass. Kitchener-Waterloo, with a population of about 500,000 is about 65 miles northwest of Toronto. A visit to the project by this writer on March 12, 2016 revealed track laying in progress at four separate locations. Grandlinq (Plenary Group Canada; Meridiam Infrastructure Waterloo; Aecon; Kiewit; Mass Electric Construction Canada; Keolis; STV Canada Construction; AECOM; and CIBC World Markets), the consortium building the LRT, has taken advantage of a relatively mild winter and early spring to get steel in place. MORE: http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/kitchener-waterloo-lrt-making-progress.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 24, 20169 yr But very little new money for VIA... Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Canada slates C$3.4 billion for passenger rail Written by Keith Barrow, Associate Editor, International Railway Journal Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced details of phase 1 of the federal government's new infrastructure plan, which was unveiled as part of the 2016 budget on March 22, 2016. The budget allocates C$3.4 billionn (US$2.6 billion) in federal funding over the next three years to "upgrade and improve public transit systems across Canada" in a bid to satisfy the need for "immediate investment" in public transport. To get projects moving quickly, the government says it will meet up to 50% of eligible costs, with funding allocated to municipalities based on the provincial share of national transit ridership. This means Ontario, which has 44% of ridership, will be eligible for up to C$1.48 billion from a new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, while Quebec would receive up to C$924 million and British Columbia up to C$460 million. MORE: http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/news/canadian-infrastructure-plan-to-fund-urban-rail-investment.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 25, 20169 yr ^WOW! That's nothing. The Province of Ontario is committing $50 billion to transportation, most of it for light-rail, subways and commuter rail. There's also some busways and even a couple of road projects in there too. It's why every city in Ontario will have at least a light-rail line in it -- including Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and London. And all of those are served by at least eight passenger (GO/VIA) trains per day, with plans or funding in place (or construction underway) to increase that number. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 26, 20169 yr ^Yeah, it's pretty impressive what Ontario is doing, and I wish we'd do the same in America. The election of Justin Trudeau was also a big win for rail and transit advocates.
March 26, 20169 yr Poor Windsor :(. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 26, 20169 yr Poor Windsor :(. Four trains a day in each direction to/from Toronto in four hours, serving this new Windsor station? I'm sure any Ohio city would take this... So close but yet so far.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 28, 20169 yr I'm not a fan of Windsor VIA station's location at all but it is a nice improvement from what they had. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 28, 20169 yr I'm not a fan of Windsor VIA station's location at all but it is a nice improvement from what they had. They should have used this opportunity of extending the tracks closer to downtown and put the new station there. It was a missed opportunity. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 28, 20169 yr Agreed. From there, they could've potentially used the Tunnel Bus to connect to Detroit. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 29, 20169 yr New Metrolinx Regional Express Rail report: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/GO_RER_Initial_Business_Case_EN.pdf
April 15, 20169 yr Via Rail ready to roll out plan for faster service along Quebec-Ontario route http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/via-rail-ready-to-roll-out-plan-for-faster-service-along-quebec-ontario-route/article29638997/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 25, 20169 yr WOW! Friday, April 22, 2016 Quebec: Pension fund turns passenger rail operator Written by David Thomas, Contributing Editor Proposing a radical new business model, Quebec’s huge public pension fund announced April 22, 2016 that it will directly undertake construction and continuing operation of a 67-km (41.5-mile), double-tracked, electrified and fully automated rapid rail network, the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM), which will transform commuting in Montreal and its immediate hinterland. The REM, which will be an automated rapid transit system (though the city is calling it “light rail”), will serve 24 stations 20 hours a day, with departures every three to 12 minutes depending on route and time of day. The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec pension fund will put up C$3 billion of the C$5.5 billion project, with the balance coming from the Quebec and Canadian governments as subordinate equity investors. MORE: http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/rapid-transit/quebec-pension-fund-turns-passenger-rail-operator.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 2, 20169 yr Now on Transit Explorer: Preferred alignment for Toronto Relief Line. Thanks @chrisjamesdrew http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/transitexplorer/#14/43.6638/-79.3616 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 20168 yr Canada, and specifically Ontario, continues to amaze. This sets the stage for diverting freight traffic off of a rail corridor that's destined for greater things. Not stated in this press release is that high-speed rail to London and Windsor would also be greatly enhanced by this freight diversion. But the routing alternatives analysis isn't yet done for high-speed rail so it isn't for certain which route it would take into Toronto. https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/06/ontario-expanding-go-rail-service-to-waterloo-region.html News Release Ontario Expanding GO Rail Service to Waterloo Region Agreement Paves the Way for Two-way, All-day GO Train Service June 14, 2016 10:30 A.M.Office of the Premier Ontario is one step closer to building the innovation supercorridor by delivering two-way, all-day GO train service between Toronto and Waterloo Region. Through its agency Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the province has secured an agreement-in-principle with CN that will allow GO Regional Express Rail to be built along the Kitchener GO corridor. The agreement-in-principle also begins the planning and technical analysis to build a new freight corridor that will allow CN to shift most of its freight traffic from the section of the Kitchener corridor the company owns -- roughly between Georgetown and Bramalea -- to the new corridor. That will free up capacity for more GO service through Brampton to Kitchener. To build a modern and integrated transit network in the region and seamlessly connect communities and businesses, Premier Kathleen Wynne also announced today that Ontario is committing up to $43 million to help fund the Region of Waterloo's proposed transit hub in downtown Kitchener. This hub will make it easier for transit users to connect to GO rail and bus service, the light rail transit line being built in Waterloo Region, VIA Rail services, and local and inter-city bus services. To improve connectivity in the short term, starting in September GO will extend two morning and two afternoon peak train trips that currently run between Georgetown and Union Station to also serve Kitchener, Guelph and Acton. This will double the number of weekday train trips between Kitchener and Toronto. Also in September, GO will introduce a new express bus service running all day between Kitchener and the Bramalea GO Station in Brampton -- with the service timed to connect with GO rail and bus services to and from Union Station in Toronto. Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years. This is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. Investments in Kitchener-Waterloo's transit future are essential to attracting new investors to Ontario's tech and innovation sectors, supporting the growth of existing businesses, and improving productivity and competitiveness. Investing in priority transit infrastructure is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement. Quick Facts The agreement-in-principle between Metrolinx and CN will allow for continued planning and design on improvements to the Kitchener GO corridor to support more GO train service in the future and deliver GO Regional Express Rail along this line. The province will be seeking support from the Government of Canada to construct the new rail corridor and enable transformational changes in shifting freight rail operations to allow for increased transit choices. Under the GO Regional Express Rail initiative, Metrolinx is transforming the GO rail network, including the Kitchener GO corridor, to provide faster and more frequent GO train service across the region, with electrification of core segments of the network. Weekly trips across the entire GO rail network are expected to grow from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 over 10 years. Since 2003, Ontario has extended GO’s rail network by nearly 90 kilometres, opened 14 new GO stations, rebuilt four existing stations, and added more than 31,000 new parking spots across the system. Ontario is investing $31.5 billion over 10 years in transit, roads, bridges and highways. Additional Resources BuildON: Ontario's Infrastructure Plan https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario?_ga=1.264419215.1275848891.1466082702 Quotes Kathleen Wynne “Every dollar we spend on transit grows our economy, creates jobs and strengthens our cities and communities. Expanding GO Transit between Kitchener-Waterloo and the GTA will reduce commute times and make a real difference in people’s daily lives. Most exciting is that the agreement we have reached with CN brings us another step closer to building the innovation supercorridor by connecting Waterloo Region and Toronto with two-way, all-day electric GO trains.” Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario Steven Del Duca “Under our Moving Ontario Forward plan, our government is committed to providing accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will manage congestion, reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians.” Steven Del Duca Minister of Transportation “We are strengthening the backbone of regional transit by introducing even more GO train and bus service to Kitchener. These new services will make it easier for people to leave their cars at home and take transit to get where they need to be.” Bruce McCuaig President and CEO, Metrolinx “Increasing rail capacity — whether for freight or commuter traffic — is an imperative to grow the Ontario economy. Today’s announcement sets the stage for unlocking the full potential of the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor, which is already the second largest information and communications technology cluster in North America. We are working in collaboration with the province of Ontario to create a more efficient transportation system linking world-class universities, tech companies and an expanding workforce, while ensuring that freight rail, including intermodal, can continue to play its role as a sustainable backbone of our economy.” Luc Jobin Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President, CN ### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 7, 20168 yr I'm given to understand that part of VIA's plan for higher speeds in the Windsor-QC corridor involves electrification on parts of the route. Presumably this would be overhead cat with dual power locos similar to Montreal and NJT in the US. And supposedly this turned some heads at CN and CP. One issue that I'm sure has come up...can someone answer this basic question? Is overhead power railway electrification fundamentally incompatible with double stack freight if same tracks or intersecting tracks are used? (The overhead clearances) Are there any locations where the catenary is simply raised and taller-reach pantographs used?
July 7, 20168 yr VIA is planning a dedicated, passenger-only right of way by reactivating a mostly abandoned CP line for 110mph trains. The rail line has lots of curves so I have to wonder how much faster it will be compared to the 100mph CN line. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 22, 20168 yr A tweet from the Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie... At the intersection of King and Victoria in Kitchener. The redevelopment taking place because of @rideIONrt is incredible. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 6, 20168 yr Report shows preliminary design of several new #GORER stations in Toronto: https://t.co/MjVJJli0pB #topoli #onpoli #gotransit #TTC https://t.co/RV0GtUeyD5 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 12, 20168 yr Ontario gas tax allocates CA$334M for transit upgrades @ONgov https://t.co/qd5hPlJX03 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 14, 20168 yr #Toronto’s Simple Measure to Cut Traffic and Improve #Transit: Toll Highways https://t.co/2UwjvcroMw "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 3, 20178 yr From LRT to massive new downtown redevelopments, Ottawa's on the cusp of changes that will completely transform it https://t.co/W4QSTsLL0J https://t.co/aTzPUkdKjb "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 11, 20178 yr Feeling rail envy? Blame Canada! Friday, March 31, 2017 Canada commits to funding GO RER with CA$1.8 billion Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor The government of Canada will provide CA$1.8 billion (US$1.35 billion) to the GO Transit Regional Express rail (GO RER) project in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area. The funds are being provided through the New Building Canada Fund and the announcement was accompanied by news that more than 300 additional projects in Ontario have been approved under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The federal government noted that the investment is being provided as "the benefits of public transit...are well understood. So too is the cost of inaction." MORE: http://www.rtands.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/canada-commits-to-funding-go-rer-with-ca18-billion.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 26, 20178 yr Hamilton 4 Transit @HamOnt4Transit 1m1 minute ago Statement from @EnvHamilton and @HamOnt4Transit welcoming #HamOnt Eastgate LRT announcement: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 22, 20178 yr Hear that sound just across Lake Erie? It's the sound of progress...... Friday, May 19, 2017 Ontario commits to Toronto - Windsor high-speed rail Written by Keith Barrow THE premier of Ontario Ms Kathleen Wynne announced on May 19 that the province will move forward with plans to build Canada’s first high-speed line after a report by Mr David Collenette, Ontario’s special advisor on high-speed rail, concluded the project has a positive business case. Wynne confirmed that the province will now begin preliminary design work on the line from Toronto to Windsor, which will serve intermediate stations at Pearson, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London and Chatham. Ontario has also allocated $C 15m ($US 11m) to carry out a comprehensive environmental assessment. Collenette’s report outlines two possible options for the project. Scenario A is a 300km/h electrified line operating primarily on dedicated rights of way. Scenario B in an electrified line using a combination of existing infrastructure and dedicated new alignments to achieve speeds of up to 250km/h. MORE: http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/ontario-commits-to-toronto-windsor-high-speed-rail.html?channel=535 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 24, 20178 yr Countdown to Confederation Line: Contractor to turn over $2.1B LRT line in one year Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen Published on: May 23, 2017 | Last Updated: May 23, 2017 4:33 PM EDT In exactly one year — May 24, 2018 — the city’s light-rail contractor, Rideau Transit Group, is expected to hand over the keys to Ottawa’s brand new, $2.1-billion Confederation LRT Line. Nearly five years in the making, it will be the busiest LRT line in North America on its first day of service, say boastful politicians and senior city officials. As the countdown to the Confederation Line’s launch begins, there are outstanding questions about the single largest infrastructure project in the city’s history. MORE: http://ottawacitizen.com/g00/news/local-news/countdown-to-confederation-line-contractor-to-turn-over-2-1b-lrt-line-in-one-year?i10c.referrer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2Ft5ct32Thwk "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 25, 20178 yr Countdown to Confederation Line: Contractor to turn over $2.1B LRT line in one year Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen Published on: May 23, 2017 | Last Updated: May 23, 2017 4:33 PM EDT In exactly one year May 24, 2018 the citys light-rail contractor, Rideau Transit Group, is expected to hand over the keys to Ottawas brand new, $2.1-billion Confederation LRT Line. Nearly five years in the making, it will be the busiest LRT line in North America on its first day of service, say boastful politicians and senior city officials. As the countdown to the Confederation Lines launch begins, there are outstanding questions about the single largest infrastructure project in the citys history. MORE: http://ottawacitizen.com/g00/news/local-news/countdown-to-confederation-line-contractor-to-turn-over-2-1b-lrt-line-in-one-year?i10c.referrer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2Ft5ct32Thwk I like the Euro/Canadian term "Light Metro" better than "Light Rail", as the former, which includes this new Ottawa rail line, is true, grade-separated rapid transit, as opposed to what we Americans like to call LRT, which includes everything from a Shaker Blue/Green rail system -- which is true rapid transit -- to Cincy's and Detroit's new street car lines, which are hardly "rapid" and, yet, for Americans who seemingly prefer to go cheap rather than efficient, they can pretend their LRT's are actually rapid transit ... or a close substitute. Not! A
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