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GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

Ok thanks. Who is AMA?
 
ssiguy2 said:
Thanks for the links, very informative.

There are actually relatively few grade crossings on the RER section of GO as most are on the Barrie line north of Aurora, LSW west of Aldershot, and only a handful on Kitchener to Brampton & LSE in Toronto itself. There is absolutely no reason why the entire GO network needs grade separation except a few at major road crossings where it has a significant effect on traffic or safety.

RER should have a medium term plan to get rid of all grade separations on all the RER lines bringing RER up to full subway/Metro standards. It will need this anyway as the system ridership soars to well over a million within probably 2 decades. RER is a total game changer that could quadruple the size of the subway/Metro system within 15 years. and offer subway level service.

This is how cities like Madrid and Sao Paulo were able to massively expand their systems within 20 years. They didn't start from scratch on most lines but simply upgraded a lot of the ones they already had. This is also the case in Tokyo and German U-Bahn where most of their subway lines are converted rail lines to subway standards using catenary powered subway cars. Catenary Metro vehicles are "off the shelf" and Toronto's nearest subway neighbour uses them exclusively........Cleveland.
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I disagree on there being absolutely no reason why the entire GO RER network needs grade separation. Grade separation increases safety, regardless of how busy the crossing is. It also increases reliability. An accident, stalled car etc. at a level-crossing can back up much of the line.
 
That's true but to grade separate 185 crossings would cost a monstrous amount of money and the vast majority wouldn't be needed. Busy/main roads certainly but not little side roads or private ones, it's simply unnecessary. The amount spent would be far better used elsewhere like new trains or bringing RH & Milton up to RER standards.

Again, how many km will RER be by 2025?
 
Leo_Chan said:
If there is no definitive answer in a report or press conference, then you could always count it yourself, whether it be on Google Maps or by walking it :D
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There are no stupid questions, but there are questions that the asking party might be able to answer for themselves with a bit of research.

The RER Business Case Analysis item 2.5.5 says that the recommended 10-year network is

All day EMU services would operate every 15 minutes to Aldershot, Bramalea, Aurora, Unionville and Oshawa, with hourly services to Hamilton (diesel, express Oakville-Union), Barrie (EMU, express Aurora-Union),17 and Mount Joy (EMU, as an extension of one in four Unionville trains). Milton and Richmond Hill would remain peak-only diesel corridors.
Click to expand...

A quick visit to the Canadian Trackside Guide, or any number of other sources, would tell you how many miles of line each of those routes entails. Note that Niagara and Bowmanville weren't on the table when the BCA was written.

Unfortunately this is all just a "plan". There is no actual execution plan, because of the AFP model being used. If you ask ML what will be done by 2025 they will say "we don't know until the contractor is selected and they tell us their execution plan". The BCA suggests it will be done within 10 years, but we don't have that as a binding commitment.

- Paul
 
By my count, 192.7km not counting overlapping sections (i.e. Stouffville and Lakeshore East). More if you count the overlapping sections.
 
The rule with spokespeople is, never make it about the person, even if you think it is.

ML's PR policy is to obfuscate, suppress, and simply refuse to be transparent. The spokesperson shouldn't take the fall for that.

Personally, I think AMA spends too much time filling her air time with cutesy stories about rescued raccoons, when she ought to be providing factual informative responses to the reasonable, good-faith questions that get asked over and over without any ML response. Quite a contrast to say Brad Ross who can give a response that is a lot closer to "I'm not answering that" with much more candour and bluntness. You may be frustrated, but you feel you have received a straight answer and been treated with professionalism.

The big picture is - if AMA's responses weren't working for ML, she wouldn't remain in role. She is doing the job as ML wants her to do it. Probably with kudos from her bosses. And that is the problem.

- Paul
 
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Riding the SRT from STC to Kennedy, had a good look at what taking place in the Rail Corridor and had a laugh at the same time.

As we near the Lawrence SRT station the southbound GO train caught up to us to the point only a small section of the F59 noise could be seen out the rear window as we left the station. Before Kennedy where the GO train starts to slow down, we had not only pass the F59, but 2 coaches as well. The SRT going faster than a GO Train??

Then, the GO train had to deal with all the working taking place in the corridor for the expansion of the line. Most residents buildings had metal fence up at the rear of the property line with construction mesh on it, while a few had wooden fences.

Track bed being dug for the Lawrence Station area on the east side of the current line. Shoring taking place to the south and not sure what is in that area that needs shoring. Conduit tubing being installed on the east side of the corridor starting north of the Kennedy Station. The ROW can hold 2 tracks, but will require some work to relocate the switches to the various industries that receive cars today. In a few location, you could add a 3rd track with no problems.
 
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