GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[crs1026]

^2WAD east of Oshawa would require more track - possibly twice as much - as the peak service previously proposed. That’s not double the construction cost of peak only, but it is some additional amount. Ridership would likely double over peak - suppose fifteen nonpeak runs each way at one third the ridership of a peak train. So I can believe the value proposition would improve, especially since ML incorporates time saved etc in its value calculations. There may be some economic boost to development along the route from 2WAD, which the peak service doesn’t deliver since it only hauls people to jobs or school in Toronto. So, without getting too scientific I can accept by rough reckoning that 2WAD would evaluate more favourably in relative terms.
The problem I see is the absolute cost. The peak service was priced at $550M. Let’s assume a 40% uptick due to adding double track instead of single track - which is all the EA contemplated. Does ML have that much money available to invest in this line? How does that same $800M compare in value proposition versus investing on some other GO line?
Perhaps the recent town hall provoked enough political pain to convince ML that they better not just rag the puck much longer on the Durham file. I would hope the municipal pols in Durham will push for a tangible measurable commitment of what planning and design work will be done by the next provincial election....the tracks won’t be laid by then, but some gate or milestone ought to be a commitment. I’m not that optimistic however....there will be town halls in other towns and there will be other evasions.
Reminds me of the old time travelling salesman with a fiancee in every town....we don’t know which one they will actually wed, but we know there will be lots of disappointment somewhere down the line.

- Paul

 

[steveintoronto]

Posted separately due to character count:

Metrolinx leaves questions unanswered
Posted on May 7, 2019 by oshawaexpress in NEWS

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

More questions remain regarding the expansion of the GO Train into Bowmanville and beyond after a town hall meeting hosted by Metrolinx on the expansion of the Lakeshore East Line.

A number of senior Metrolinx management, including CEO Phil Verster, were present during the event held at the Abilities Centre in Whitby.

Metrolinx brass addressed several issues, including the company’s tendering process, connector bus routes, construction at Union Station, and uncomfortable seats on newer trains.

But the burning issue on the minds of many was the planned expansion of train service into Bowmanville, and a few local politicians said the message they heard is different from past statements.

Verster said Metrolinx is currently considering four options for the expansion, and no final decisions have been made.

As previously reported by The Oshawa Express, the Wynne government laid out a timeline of construction beginning in 2019, and completion expected by 2023/2024.

“We are absolutely committed to make sure this is going to happen. Frankly, Premier Kathleen Wynne has been very clear on this – we are going to get trains up to Bowmanville,” former Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said during an Oshawa event in October 2017.

However, Verster said Metrolinx isn’t working to that same timeline.

“Any timeline for any option can only be determined when the option has been selected. There has been no formal option selected yet, we are now considering the four options,” he told The Oshawa Express. “I cannot really talk about what timelines people have committed to before, I can only say that we have a very structured process by which we do business cases, take options to government, government makes decisions and we implement them as soon as we can.”

Regional chair John Henry was outspoken in his disappointment.

“There is an expectation from the mayors, [Oshawa] Mayor [Dan] Carter, [Clarington] Mayor [Adrian] Foster, [Whitby] Mayor [Don] Mitchell, and myself as the former Mayor of Oshawa and now regional chair, that we will see the train in Clarington by 2024,” Henry states.

Henry said that timeline is one the community perceived over the past few years.

“There is also a public perception when the Premier of the province makes a commitment, whether it’s this Premier or the previous Premier, that things are going to happen,” Henry said. “The real question that I pose is – is that commitment going to be honoured…that the train will be there in 2024 because residents of our communities have made investments in their lives knowing the train is coming.”

The regional chair said there is an “absolute willingness” to work with Metrolinx, but local patience is wearing thin.

“We’ve been to these meetings a number of times. This is at least the 10th event I’ve been to where they’ve talked about the train going into Clarington and additional stations in Oshawa. We’ve talked long enough, and now it’s time to see the eastern residents of the GTA get their equal service – and that’s not just Oshawa and Clarington, it’s Port Hope, Cobourg, the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough, where their residents come over to get the trains.”

Carter said it is important to keep the lines of communication open with Metrolinx, but admitted he is worried “the option they are looking at is not the preferable option that we are looking” which is a track running close to the downtown core.

The original concept, released in 2016, saw new stations in Oshawa at Thornton Road and Consumers Drive, and at the former Ontario Malleable Iron/Knob Hills Farm building on Howard Street.

Additional stations in Courtice and Bowmanville were planned as well.

However, Verster said no station locations or routes are finalized at this point, unwelcome news to Foster.

“Things are not clear for us. We thought we knew exactly what the path forward was a year ago – we knew where the stops were going to be, we knew what timelines were, promises had been made,” he said. “Then it looks like those promises had been completely unmade, and now we’re hearing there is movement on the file, we just don’t know where or when. So no, clarity was not part of tonight.”

Foster said he’s pleased with the engagement during the meeting and promises of follow up meetings with Metrolinx but he’s ultimately disappointed.

“Still feels like a step backward, when a year ago if you would have asked me, there would be shovels in the ground [in 2019], because that was the promise,” Foster said.

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French will also be meeting with Verster and other Metrolinx officials soon.

However, the lack of a devoted timeline was troubling to her.

“It’s disappointing when it comes to the Bowmanville GO extension that we are looking far down the road, and I still have no idea what it will look like,” French said. “I don’t know if those options will be what’s best for Oshawa, so I’m looking forward to having more details.”

https://oshawaexpress.ca/metrolinx-leaves-questions-unanswered/

And here's what was promised just four months prior:
Metrolinx president addresses current projects in letter
Posted on January 8, 2019 by oshawaexpress
https://oshawaexpress.ca/metrolinx-president-addresses-current-projects-in-letter/

 

[steveintoronto]

^2WAD east of Oshawa would require more track - possibly twice as much - as the peak service previously proposed.

Which is what he argued against! This is part of the bafflegab, he announces on one hand, then takes it away on the other.

I'll try and find the self discipline to try and put his rambling elusive obfuscation to words, and post later. IIRC, his questioner specifically posed a subsequent query to him on the "two tracks", as to them being twinned, or one stand-alone apart from CP. From my prior attempts to wrest rationale from abject confusion, I note Verster himself gladly let the subject go as the completely beffudled questioner (after Verster buttering him up as to his (gist) 'accuity' ) walked away from the mike.

My impressions of it all are hardly unique if one reads the above OshawaExpress articles.

 

[steveintoronto]

^ We may find out more soon since there are public meetings on the 21st and 22nd as noted earlier in the tweet. It's also on the Expansion page.

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/bowmanville-expansion.aspx

We are making progress on the business case planning for the Bowmanville expansion, which does depend significantly on our negotiations with governing railway authority and approval and direction from the government of Ontario.

Gosh, what could "approval and direction from the government of Ontario." possibly mean?

That we can use the Queen's Jaguar anytime Phillip deems it so, but only if Her Majesty agrees? Just a trifling point mind..."significantly" trifling...

 

[44 North]

If you are meaning, why doesn't GO ask CN/CP to run the commuting train as a revenue business on a basis that is worth their while.... well, one freight train is 150 cars long and each car is generating thousands of dollars in revenue per car per trip. What would we have to charge as a fare to make a passenger train as profitable as that freight train? The only place that a passenger train does that is in the Rocky Mountains, with RMRT. Check out those fares.

- Paul

I guess this is what I meant. CN/CP operate on a revenue basis. But...the cost would be subsidized by the public. It would still be a GO service, but rather than bickering about slotting trains in, the freight operators would have a better handle of the situation and could slot them easier between their freight. But perhaps you're correct that this Metrolinx dispatching centre should improve things.

The cost of running a VIA train is not significantly different (per km) from a GO train; other than a few legacy head-office and union lineitems. If Ontario wants to subsidize that type of trip, it's likely much cheaper to pay part of a VIA fare for a few dozen individuals rather than running an entire train with 95% of seats empty.

Select your rail pass - VIA Rail Canada

20 1-way trips from Port Hope<->Union is $325. Boosting that to 44 trips (2 per weekday) for $450 would make it usable for a daily commute and be inline with GO fares (Oshawa<>Union is about $380 per month).

Ok this is interesting. Even with VIA as a perceived and arguably more higher tier service that it's still in line with GO. Hmm, maybe GO should start slashing fares. Seems like they shouldn't be in line for comparable distances. Just like how TTC should be cheaper than GO since GO is more elite, so to would VIA be compared with GO. Though I guess HFR could change that.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Here are the four options for GO Service to Bowmanville:

Four options are being examined as part of the updated business case. The options analysis supports future decisions by providing perspective on costs in relation to potential benefits (Benefit Cost Ratio). There are four options that are being modelled to support future decision making:

• Option 1: Utilization of the 2016, 401 Highway crossing east of Thickson Road to Thornton’s Corners GO Station. All trips between Bowmanville and Union (running express past Pickering) stop at Thornton’s Corners, Ritson Road, Courtice and Bowmanville GO Stations on the extension. Electrified GO Expansion services would terminate at Thornton’s Corners leading to the closure of GO rail operations at Oshawa GO Station.

• Option 2 : Extension through Oshawa GO Station connecting to Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway’s General Motors (GM) spur line to cross Highway 401, and connect to CP’s Belleville Subdivision. Trips between Bowmanville and Union would stop at Oshawa, Ritson Road, Courtice and Bowmanville Stations, and run express between Pickering and Union Station. Electrified GO Expansion services would terminate at Oshawa Station.

• Option 3 : GO rail services to Bowmanville via Canadian National (CN) Railway’s Kingston Subdivision. Trips between Bowmanville and Union operate via a direct connection to CN’s corridor once east of Oshawa GO Station. Extension service would stop at new stations at Ritson Road South in Oshawa and Energy Drive near Waverly Road in Bowmanville. Electrified GO Expansion services will terminate at Oshawa station.

• Option 4 : GO rail services to Bowmanville via CN’s Kingston Subdivision eventually connecting to CP’s Belleville subdivision over Highway 401 in the vicinity of Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa. Trips between Bowmanville and Union would stop at new station sites at Ritson Road South and the announced Courtice and Bowmanville GO Stations on CP’s subdivision, and would run express between Pickering and Union Station. Electrified GO Expansion services will terminate at Oshawa station.

 

[nfitz]

What the ...?

Didn't they just finish an EA on this? Just how screwed up do you have to be to be considering options that are very different than the approved EA just after? It looks like far more than moving a station! Didn't they already start land aquisition?

Is this another Conservative transit cut then?

 

[crs1026]

Is this another Conservative transit cut then?

My conspiracy theory is, the new government said, this is all the funding you get - now figure out how to make it work. And ML is having to rewrite its plan without making it sound like there was ever a cut.

- Paul

 

[rbt]

Didn't they already start land aquisition?

Yes. They've started construction of a park & ride (bus stop and parking lot) for the Courtice Road station. GO Bus service is expected at that stop sometime this year.

 

[steveintoronto]

My conspiracy theory is, the new government said, this is all the funding you get

And *still* be at the whim of the Minister as to whether it lives or dies.

 

[Allandale25]

Update:

Please be advised of the upcoming weekend closure for Steeles Avenue between Redlea Avenue and Silver Star Boulevard. The closure is required from Friday, May 24th (8PM) to Monday, May 27th (6AM) in order to construct a temporary diversion railway track.

PROJECT BENEFITS: Once the Project is complete in 2021, you’ll have: A new grade separated pedestrian bridge and underpass at the Steeles Avenue East intersection between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue. Vehicles will be able to pass under a railway, without having to stop or wait for trains. The new pedestrian bridge across Steeles Avenue East will connect to both platforms at Milliken GO Station. A new second track and platform at Milliken GO. A renovated existing platform at Milliken GO. Two new pedestrian tunnels with elevators. Canopies and integrated shelters on the platforms to protect GO customers from the elements. A canopy-covered walkway to Steeles Avenue. CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Work is well underway to make major improvements to the existing Stouffville line, which includes infrastructure upgrades to the Agincourt GO, Milliken GO, and Unionville GO Stations and to construct a new underpass at the railway crossing Steeles Avenue East. EllisDon Transit Infrastructure (the Contractor) is undertaking the construction of the Stouffville Regional Express Rail Project on behalf of Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. This notice is to provide you with an update of planned work happening along Steeles Avenue East and what you can expect in the next few weeks. WEEKEND FULL CLOSURE on STEELES AVENUE EAST (BETWEEN REDLEA AVENUE AND SILVER STAR BOULEVARD) Timing: Friday, May 24th (8 p.m.) to Monday, May 27th (6 a.m.) Our Contractor will implement a full closure of Steeles Avenue to conduct construction on the Stouffville line railway. Here’s what you can expect: The full closure will occur from Friday, May 24th at 8 p.m. until Monday, May 27th at 6 a.m. During the closure, we will need to close Steeles Avenue East between Redlea Avenue and Silver Star Boulevard to construct a temporary diversion railway track through Steeles Avenue. For this weekend, vehicles and pedestrians will not be able to access businesses between Redlea Avenue and Silver Star from Steeles Avenue East. Business access will be available through alternate routes (See Weekend Full Closure Map below). You will notice more heavy equipment and cranes in the construction area. Weekend Full Closure Map:

 

[raptor]

Rutherford GO Station Improvements

We're Transforming Your Station!
Major improvements are coming to Rutherford GO. We're adding parking, updating amenities, enhancing accessibility and creating more connections.

What's Changing
On June 2 there will be changes to the way you get into and around your station so that we can start work on your new parking garage. Here’s what you need to know:

• The south entrance to the station from Westburne Drive will close. Please use the north entrance from Westburne Drive to access the main parking lot.
• We’re reshaping the Kiss & Ride. The two south lanes will close and we will extend the lanes to the west. Please use the dedicated Kiss & Ride so that you and other passengers stay safe.
• The bike racks will move to the west side of the station building, close to the Kiss & Ride.
• All reserved and most carpool parking spaces will be relocated to a temporary parking lot at 635 Westburne Drive until the parking garage opens in 2022. This lot will have direct and safe access to the west platform, with two PRESTO devices next to the new walkway.
• We also need to close 10 regular parking spaces so that we can safely begin building your new parking garage.
• All accessible parking spaces will move to the two lanes west of the Kiss & Ride.
• During the week of May 20, we'll be repainting lines in the temporary, off-site parking lot at 635 Westburne Drive. Please do not leave your vehicle in this lot overnight. If it is left in a work area, it may be towed to a different part of the lot.

When this work is complete, there will be close to 1,200 new parking spaces at your station.

Construction Map

Click image to expand

Travelling Here
We understand that these changes will make finding parking at Rutherford challenging for some of you. Here are some alternatives on how you can get to Rutherford GO apart from driving and parking alone:

• This station is served by several York Region Transit bus routes. Routes 85 and 85C run every 15 minutes along Rutherford Road, and routes 87 and 107C run every half hour. Find the right trip to connect with your train using Triplinx. When using PRESTO, you only pay $1 to take transit to Rutherford GO.
• Another option is to carpool with your neighbours and park in one of the 35 (including 5 new) designated spots. Meet your match using the Smart Commute Tool.
• There are dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths from the north, east and west. We added more bicycle storage to your station last year.

How You Will Benefit
A pedestrian tunnel has already been installed under the track and is ready to connect you to the second platform and track we're building as part of this project - both needed for increased service in both directions.
Here’s what else is coming to your station and the community:

• A new second track and platform to accommodate more frequent Barrie line service in both directions
• Renovated platforms with canopies to connect to the new parking garage
• New elevators on both platforms to connect to the pedestrian tunnel
• Better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, including a pedestrian bridge over Rutherford Road, and dedicated bike lanes on Rutherford Road
• A parking garage that will add 1,200 new spaces connected to a new station building
• An upgraded bus loop and Kiss & Ride
• Secure indoor bike parking spaces

We will also be building a grade separation at Rutherford Road. This means we will be separating the tracks from the road so traffic will no longer have to wait for a train to pass, which will be a major traffic and safety improvement when we increase GO train service.

We’re also working with the City of Vaughan to improve access in and out of the station, which we know has become challenging as ridership has grown over the last number of years.

We expect new parking spots and the grade separation to open in 2022.

We’ll keep you informed throughout this project. To get updates sent directly to your inbox or phone, sign up for Rutherford On the GO alerts at onthegoalerts.gotransit.com. You can also follow the Barrie line on Twitter @GOTransitBR.

Learn more about Barrie GO Expansion.

 

[Leo_Chan]

Rutherford GO Station Improvements

We're Transforming Your Station!
Major improvements are coming to Rutherford GO. We're adding parking, updating amenities, enhancing accessibility and creating more connections.

What's Changing
On June 2 there will be changes to the way you get into and around your station so that we can start work on your new parking garage. Here’s what you need to know:

• The south entrance to the station from Westburne Drive will close. Please use the north entrance from Westburne Drive to access the main parking lot.
• We’re reshaping the Kiss & Ride. The two south lanes will close and we will extend the lanes to the west. Please use the dedicated Kiss & Ride so that you and other passengers stay safe.
• The bike racks will move to the west side of the station building, close to the Kiss & Ride.
• All reserved and most carpool parking spaces will be relocated to a temporary parking lot at 635 Westburne Drive until the parking garage opens in 2022. This lot will have direct and safe access to the west platform, with two PRESTO devices next to the new walkway.
• We also need to close 10 regular parking spaces so that we can safely begin building your new parking garage.
• All accessible parking spaces will move to the two lanes west of the Kiss & Ride.
• During the week of May 20, we'll be repainting lines in the temporary, off-site parking lot at 635 Westburne Drive. Please do not leave your vehicle in this lot overnight. If it is left in a work area, it may be towed to a different part of the lot.

When this work is complete, there will be close to 1,200 new parking spaces at your station.

Construction Map

Click image to expand

Travelling Here
We understand that these changes will make finding parking at Rutherford challenging for some of you. Here are some alternatives on how you can get to Rutherford GO apart from driving and parking alone:

• This station is served by several York Region Transit bus routes. Routes 85 and 85C run every 15 minutes along Rutherford Road, and routes 87 and 107C run every half hour. Find the right trip to connect with your train using Triplinx. When using PRESTO, you only pay $1 to take transit to Rutherford GO.
• Another option is to carpool with your neighbours and park in one of the 35 (including 5 new) designated spots. Meet your match using the Smart Commute Tool.
• There are dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths from the north, east and west. We added more bicycle storage to your station last year.

How You Will Benefit
A pedestrian tunnel has already been installed under the track and is ready to connect you to the second platform and track we're building as part of this project - both needed for increased service in both directions.
Here’s what else is coming to your station and the community:

• A new second track and platform to accommodate more frequent Barrie line service in both directions
• Renovated platforms with canopies to connect to the new parking garage
• New elevators on both platforms to connect to the pedestrian tunnel
• Better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, including a pedestrian bridge over Rutherford Road, and dedicated bike lanes on Rutherford Road
• A parking garage that will add 1,200 new spaces connected to a new station building
• An upgraded bus loop and Kiss & Ride
• Secure indoor bike parking spaces

We will also be building a grade separation at Rutherford Road. This means we will be separating the tracks from the road so traffic will no longer have to wait for a train to pass, which will be a major traffic and safety improvement when we increase GO train service.

We’re also working with the City of Vaughan to improve access in and out of the station, which we know has become challenging as ridership has grown over the last number of years.

We expect new parking spots and the grade separation to open in 2022.

We’ll keep you informed throughout this project. To get updates sent directly to your inbox or phone, sign up for Rutherford On the GO alerts at onthegoalerts.gotransit.com. You can also follow the Barrie line on Twitter @GOTransitBR.

Learn more about Barrie GO Expansion.

So the grade separation will be built for 3 tracks but only have 2 at first. But is the road underpass built for only 4 lanes and not 6?

 

[steveintoronto]

Metrolinx outlines four options for Bowmanville GO train extension via Oshawa
NEWS 03:00 PM by Reka Szekely Oshawa This Week

The graphic shows the four options for extension of the GO Train to Bowmanville. - Grpahic Courtesy of Metrolinx

Area resident Gordon Johnston, right, made his point to Metrolinx officials, including Phil Herbeson and Antonio DiFebo, during a public meeting regarding four options for the proposed GO train extension to Bowmanville via Oshawa. May 22, 2019 - Jason Liebregts/Torstar
1 / 2
DURHAM — Oshawa and Clarington residents got a look at newly proposed route options for the Bowmanville GO train extension, at public meetings hosted by Metrolinx this week.
Open house-style meetings were held in Clarington on May 21 and in Oshawa on May 22, with members of the public dropping in to get a look at the four options under consideration.
Manuel Pedrosa, senior manager of Toronto East-Durham community and stakeholder relations, said the funding envelope for the long-discussed extension was $550 million but the current cost estimate ranges from $721 million to $1.2 billion, based on requirements by Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., which owns the track the train was slated to run on from Oshawa east to Bowmanville.

As a result, Metrolinx decided to look at alternative routes for the extension.
“Our CEO made the decision to review all options, considering what happened with our detailed cost assessment and design — so he asked our team to go back and revisit other options and compare them all,” said Pedrosa.
Two options, including the originally proposed route, run mainly on the Canadian Pacific (CP) line, via central Oshawa and the former Knob Hill Farms property, which would be a new GO station. In both cases, the Courtice and Bowmanville stations would be north of Highway 401.
A third option has the train running along the Canadian National (CN) line south of Highway 401, through a primarily industrial area, with the Bowmanville GO station located south of the highway. A fourth hybrid option would see the train run south of Highway 401 through Oshawa, but then it would swing north to the CP line in Clarington, with Clarington stations located north of the highway.
According to Metrolinx, preliminary estimates show the third and fourth options are achievable under the current budget.
Pedrosa said it’s “crystal clear” that Durham municipalities including Clarington and Oshawa support Option 1, the original route via, central Oshawa north of Highway 401, because of the economic benefits.
“All that input goes into the business case and planning process that we take into consideration as we present to government in our business case analysis."

Members of the public in Durham also expressed support for that option.

“We had a very good turnout yesterday. People are very committed to the original option. Some other folks wanted the other options — some people don’t want the trains running beside their homes on the north side — but the majority of people were committed to keeping the option that was originally planned, and that’s still on the table,” said Pedrosa at the Oshawa open house.

Initially, the Bowmanville train extension was scheduled to run rush-hour service only.


“Currently, what we’re moving forward is to have an all-day service for all the options,” Pedrosa said. “We want to go above the original a.m. and p.m. peak to have all-day service.”
[...continues with the four options already tabled in prior...]

https://www.durhamregion.com/news-s...or-bowmanville-go-train-extension-via-oshawa/

 

[innsertnamehere]

So the grade separation will be built for 3 tracks but only have 2 at first. But is the road underpass built for only 4 lanes and not 6?

I believe that is mis-rendered. My understanding is that York Region will be widening Rutherford through this stretch to 6 lanes as a part of this project.