GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[TOareaFan]

It all breaks down to Mississauga's urban form. The people riding the LRT will be the condo dwellers near it. Those in the low-density houses will continue to drive, even though a chunk of them would use the LRT if it was convenient.

There are X number of parking spots there now...which, presumably, serve the people using the station from both those housing forms......gonna add a LRT which will connect directly to the stop....seems a bizarre way to encourage use of the LRT to get to the station by building significantly more parking spots. To be clear, I am not suggesting eliminating parking....I am just suggesting that you freeze the number of parking spots right where it is (+/-) and if drivers feel there are not enough they will reserve spots (increasing revenue without any additional cost) or will consider the LRT. New users (as service expands on the GO line) will have no ingrained commute pattern and will naturally flow to the LRT.

 

[rbt]

A few additional details on Stouffville tender (from RT&S). Also has a bit of info on recent RFQs for Kitchener and Milton Corridors.

http://www.rtands.com/index.php/pas...two-rfqs-one-rfp-for-station-tunnel-work.html

Concerning the Stouffville Corridor, IO and Metrolinx have shortlisted three teams to submit RFPs for three stations involving the following work:

• Milliken Station: New east side platform and upgrade of existing west side platform with a full enclosure, passenger access tunnels connecting the platforms with elevators, new Steeles Avenue East pedestrian connection and customer amenities and a grade separation at Steeles Avenue East.
• Agincourt Station: New second track, new side platforms with a full enclosure, passenger access tunnels with elevators, customer waiting areas, building relocation and customer amenities provisions.
• Unionville Station: New second track and third turning track, new side platforms with a canopy, passenger access tunnels with elevators, parking expansion and customer amenities.

The successful bidder is expected to be announced in spring 2017.

 

[crs1026]

I wonder what kind of small-bus or dial-a-ride network proposal could be made using the same capital NPV as the parking garage.

It's a huge transformation to get typical suburban car-centric commuters to consider using public transit door-to-door, but it's time ML started working on this instead of going with the flow and building parking garages at every station. There's a lack of leadership on this.

- Paul

 

[georgevicbell]

I wonder how much analysis metrolinx has done on where the cars are coming from and when...

To me the solution is to setup some cameras with license readers at major intersections and neighbourhoods around the station, and at all entrances to the parking lots.

With this information specific neighbourhoods or routes could be designed that pick up large groups. Targeted advertising in the neighbourhood as well.

The concept of targeted routes for people using the service - for free - would be very attractive.

Branding could be something like GO - Commuter Bus or GO - Door to Door bus...

Likewise maybe having community meet up points where an uber type system says there are 5 people waiting at the corner, Go will give you 5$ if you pick them up in your van on the way to the station.

 

[drum118]

This is what needed.

Atlantic City Jitney Association

To do this, the Province needs to change the rules/laws to allow it to compete again local system. Some systems would welcome them to take the low hanging fruit off their shoulders.

From what I saw years ago, it was $1-$2 to take one of the 150 buses from the train station to your front door. Some only had one rider, well others 2-5. All small buses costing $75,000-$150,000 each.

 

[Allandale25]

Update for Mimico here:

METROLINX DELAYS MIMICO IMPROVEMENTS
A south Etobicoke residents’ group is taking Metrolinx to task for delaying planned accessibility improvements to the Mimico GO station.

The construction of two pedestrian tunnels plus elevators and stairs was supposed to have begun this year. But the Mimico Residents Association is upset because Metrolinx now plans to start the work in 2018, with completion scheduled for early 2021.

The group has organized a write-in campaign to push Metrolinx to reconsider its decision.

 

[Jonny5]

This is what needed.

Atlantic City Jitney Association

To do this, the Province needs to change the rules/laws to allow it to compete again local system. Some systems would welcome them to take the low hanging fruit off their shoulders.

From what I saw years ago, it was $1-$2 to take one of the 150 buses from the train station to your front door. Some only had one rider, well others 2-5. All small buses costing $75,000-$150,000 each.

Like everything in Atlantic City is, or, now was since the casinos collapsed, these services had huge hidden government subsidies built in from the start: low minimum wages, low insurance requirements. tax breaks for wealthy jitney service owners, New Jersey maintaining a road network which is used by no actual residents but only for going to a centralised hotel strip which is also a tax dollar blackhole. This is not in any way something that could happen here. Why are people grabbing shit comparisons like this out of nowhere and just throwing it out with zero context? This board is supposed to be better than this.

 

[Allandale25]

There are two general references to the GO RER program in the recently released mandate letter to the Minister of Transportation:

• Continuing to transform the existing GO Transit rail network into GO RER with electrified, 15-minute service along core segments, and finalizing a procurement strategy in 2017 for the design and construction of the entire GORER program.
• Ensuring greater transparency to the public and GO users in relation to the progress of GO RER and LRT projects through the development of web-based reporting on the status of each project including approvals, planning and construction.

 

[steveintoronto]

I wonder what kind of small-bus or dial-a-ride network proposal could be made using the same capital NPV as the parking garage.

It's a huge transformation to get typical suburban car-centric commuters to consider using public transit door-to-door, but it's time ML started working on this instead of going with the flow and building parking garages at every station. There's a lack of leadership on this.

- Paul

It's a very good point, and there's ample proof this has worked in Europe (to be expected) but also in the US! Some of the most 'car oriented' cities in the States have not only seen a movement to public transit, but so much so the relatively new systems in many cities are overwhelmed, and at a time when gasoline is the cheapest it's been for decades.

Is there something particularly ornery about Ontarian outlooks? Paul mentions "leadership" and therein lies a massive conundrum. Wynne et al have botched almost every 'ecological' file they've put their grubby fingers on. It leaves a poisoned chalice, and I don't see the the OntCons being any better. The NDP might have some more progressive ideas, but lack the expertise to implement them.

I feel suicidal...

 

[Megaton327]

Aurora GO Construction apparently started the week of September 12th: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/projects/aurora/

"Starting the week of September 12th, we will begin construction on two pedestrian tunnels. This will allow for the future construction of a second track and platform, and is the first phase of the infrastructure needed for future two-way, all-day service along the Barrie Corridor. There will be impacts that may affect your daily commute. Approximately ninety (90) parking spaces in the Berczy St. lot will be impacted. Parking spots will be returned to use once the construction is completed, by mid-2017."

I didn't know they were planning on doing this so soon. Good to see they're getting serious about moving forward with hourly and RER on Barrie.

 

[Megaton327]

A photo of Aurora GO construction--sorry I couldn't get more+better ones, I was in a hurry to catch a bus; this is facing west around the halfway point of the platform:

This green fenced area is one of the dig sites for pedestrian underpass construction. In the far right of the photo, vertically centred, right up against where the shelter blocked my shot, there is another similar fenced area for another tunnel.

Fun fact: that other dig site on the right (North end of the station, by Wellington St.) is where I saw enbridge and general emergency vehicles when I finally got to the station to pick up my car after tonight's gas leak cancelled service! Had to come in via Richmond Hill-Langstaff-Viva instead, I assumed that Rutherford's YRT buses and Union's GO 65 buses would be jammed for a while.

Since that other dig site was where I saw enbridge and emergency vehicles tonight, anybody want to place bets on the crazy, insane, shot in the dark crackpot idea that they had something to do with it? *Sigh*...

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

Aurora GO Construction apparently started the week of September 12th: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/projects/aurora/

"Starting the week of September 12th, we will begin construction on two pedestrian tunnels. This will allow for the future construction of a second track and platform, and is the first phase of the infrastructure needed for future two-way, all-day service along the Barrie Corridor. There will be impacts that may affect your daily commute. Approximately ninety (90) parking spaces in the Berczy St. lot will be impacted. Parking spots will be returned to use once the construction is completed, by mid-2017."

I didn't know they were planning on doing this so soon. Good to see they're getting serious about moving forward with hourly and RER on Barrie.

It would be nice to see this for Newmarket and Barrie south as well.

 

[Megaton327]

It would be nice to see this for Newmarket and Barrie south as well.

Newmarket is, from what I recall, pretty much guaranteed never to happen. Tight station space plus tight ROW in the area make not only double-platforming difficult, but I think even double-tracking can't be done in the area. More likely that the future Mulock station, or East Gwillimbury, get done if anything in the area does.

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

Newmarket is, from what I recall, pretty much guaranteed never to happen. Tight station space plus tight ROW in the area make not only double-platforming difficult, but I think even double-tracking can't be done in the area. More likely that the future Mulock station, or East Gwillimbury, get done if anything in the area does.

Really? They should move the station to south of Davis then, imo. Mulock is fine but it's farther from Downtown. Same with East Gwillimbury.

 

[Megaton327]

Really? They should move the station to south of Davis then, imo. Mulock is fine but it's farther from Downtown. Same with East Gwillimbury.

I don't have a specific document on hand but I believe all possibilities regarding minor relocations of Newmarket GO have been considered, and they've found that there is no viable option for double-tracking/platforming it while in proximity to Davis due to a number of constraints as revealed by studies. Mulock and EG are the more workable options.

Also, it's largely a moot point as there is no need for a double-tracked/platformed station at Davis because there is no intention of having service every 15 minutes there, only hourly. The 15-minute service is currently slated to run only up to Aurora; I believe a part of the basis for Mulock station is that it would be doubled and support an extension of the 15-minute service that far, but I think Metrolinx considers even that to be a stretch regarding time+money required vs ridership. Again, hourly service can run just fine north of Aurora with fairly minimal construction, and would be a massive improvement from the current peak-only service.