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{{future public transportation}} |
{{future public transportation}} |
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There is an ongoing study into the introduction of rapid transit service in the Region of Waterloo in [[Ontario]], as an enhancement to [[Grand River Transit]]. As of [[2009]], an [[Environmental Impact Assessment|Environmental Assessment (EA) |
There is an ongoing study into the introduction of '''rapid transit service in the Region of Waterloo''' in [[Ontario]], as an enhancement to [[Grand River Transit]]. As of [[2009]], an [[Environmental Impact Assessment|Environmental Assessment]] (EA) is underway to create a proposal of [[light rail]] though [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]] and [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], and [[bus rapid transit|adapted bus rapid transit]] through [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Concerns related to the light-rail proposal focus on its relative service infrequency (though it would still outperform the Region’s best bus services in its overall service capacity, and the frequency of many routes). In addition, a light-rail line would be limited by the narrow (often only two lanes) main streets of key downtown areas. A feasible proposal raised by the Region for dealing with this challenge would be to have light rail vehicles share space with traffic within core areas, somewhat resembling the traditional streetcar networks of many European cities, and of nearby Toronto. A bus rapid transit line would also face the challenge of the cramped core areas, and thus would also likely share space with traffic in core areas. |
Concerns related to the light-rail proposal focus on its relative service infrequency (though it would still outperform the Region’s best bus services in its overall service capacity, and the frequency of many routes). In addition, a light-rail line would be limited by the narrow (often only two lanes) main streets of key downtown areas. A feasible proposal raised by the Region for dealing with this challenge would be to have light rail vehicles share space with traffic within core areas, somewhat resembling the traditional streetcar networks of many European cities, and of nearby Toronto. A bus rapid transit line would also face the challenge of the cramped core areas, and thus would also likely share space with traffic in core areas. |
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The full proposal does recommend light rail, with full lane separation. |
The full proposal does recommend light rail, with full lane separation.<ref>[http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/pdfs/RapidTransit_NL_Spring09-2.pdf]</ref> Problems with core area densities would be circumvented by having opposite directions of track run on parallel streets (Charles and Duke in downtown Kitchener, King and Caroline in uptown Waterloo). The first phase would be LRT from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Mall; enhanced BRT would run to downtown Cambridge until the second phase, which would replace it with full LRT.<ref>[http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/pdfs/Rapid_Transit_Initiative_with_future_bus_connections2.pdf]</ref> The option of BRT overall was declined as it is expected to exceed full capacity within a foreseeable timeframe.<ref>[http://news.therecord.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/534503]</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 01:11, 12 May 2009
Template:Future public transportation There is an ongoing study into the introduction of rapid transit service in the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, as an enhancement to Grand River Transit. As of 2009, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is underway to create a proposal of light rail though Kitchener and Waterloo, and adapted bus rapid transit through Cambridge.
History
In 2004, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo began an Environmental Assessment to study the feasibility of constructing a rapid transit line to provide higher-order public transit service to the Region and to encourage more compact urban growth along the corridor.
The current EA has taken a broader approach to studying possible routes and stations for the rapid transit line, examining several options such as utilizing existing tracks/roads and constructing new facilities. In keeping with legislation, the Environmental Assessment also examined ten possible transport technologies, including monorails and subways. The assessment had reduced the options to light rail transit and/or bus rapid transit, and the next phase consists of examining possible routes and station locations.
Numerous public meetings and workshops have been held as part of the Environmental Assessment.
Proposal
The proposed route would start near Conestoga Mall in Waterloo and end in the southern part of Cambridge. The route and station locations are yet to be determined by the EA.
The Province of Ontario has promised it will fund one-third of the cost of the construction of a light rail or bus rapid transit system in Waterloo Region.
Light rail
The initial proposal for a light-rail system had the first phase serving the main transportation corridor in Kitchener-Waterloo, using existing railway lines and on-street lanes to carry trains along 14 km of track to ten stations between Waterloo and Kitchener (paralleling GRT's Route 7 Mainline).
Concerns related to the light-rail proposal focus on its relative service infrequency (though it would still outperform the Region’s best bus services in its overall service capacity, and the frequency of many routes). In addition, a light-rail line would be limited by the narrow (often only two lanes) main streets of key downtown areas. A feasible proposal raised by the Region for dealing with this challenge would be to have light rail vehicles share space with traffic within core areas, somewhat resembling the traditional streetcar networks of many European cities, and of nearby Toronto. A bus rapid transit line would also face the challenge of the cramped core areas, and thus would also likely share space with traffic in core areas.
The full proposal does recommend light rail, with full lane separation.[1] Problems with core area densities would be circumvented by having opposite directions of track run on parallel streets (Charles and Duke in downtown Kitchener, King and Caroline in uptown Waterloo). The first phase would be LRT from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Mall; enhanced BRT would run to downtown Cambridge until the second phase, which would replace it with full LRT.[2] The option of BRT overall was declined as it is expected to exceed full capacity within a foreseeable timeframe.[3]