GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[John Bisan]

I can't watch the video now, but I'll take your word for it.
In any case, issuing the RFP means nothing, as they can cancel it, or extend the RFP close date forever.
I've lost all faith in Metrolinx.

I agree, but FYI, they are paying millions of $ to all compliant RFP proponents just to bid on it.

 

[TOareaFan]

The parallels to GO service to Brampton are, well, just too easy to comment on.

- Paul

I had actually written that but deleted from my post before clicking....but, yes.

 

[Bureaucromancer]

I'll get in on the Scotch

Maybe another bottle for the freight rail bypass?

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Updates from the Metrolinx Capital Projects report for the upcoming meeting. I've posted things I found interesting here:

Rutherford Station and Grade Separation
The Rutherford Station and Grade Separation project achieved financial close on December 13, 2018, and the detail design is now underway.

Stouffville Stations and Grade Separation
Stouffville is at the 90% design submission stage for improvements to the Agincourt, Milliken, and Unionville Stations as well as the Steeles Ave Grade Separation. Caisson installations are on-going at Agincourt and Milliken for pedestrian tunnel shoring and station foundations. Demolition of structures along Steeles Avenue is underway and rail infrastructure has been relocated to accommodate the upcoming track diversion that will facilitate construction of the grade separation.

Stouffville Rail Corridor Expansion
The South Track Realignment (Part 1 Track Expansion) work, which is part of the Stouffville Double Tracking Part 1 Contract, was completed on January 25, 2019.

Bloomington Station
Bloomington Station took another big step towards completion with a 650 cubicmetre concrete pour in December 2018.

Weston Station - Kitchener
The Construction Contract Tender for the Weston Station project was released to the market on January 10, 2019.

Kitchener Track
Work Detailed Design for the 4th Track Construction (Strachan to Nickle segment) is nearing completion and is expected near the end of January 2019.

Barrie Corridor
The Barrie Corridor non-AFP work includes three large contracts. The RFP for the first contract closed on September 20, 2018 and includes grading for a second track, noise walls, retaining walls, culvert extensions, utility relocations, bridge widening at Sheppard Avenue and a new platform at Downsview GO Station.

GO Station Capital Delivery Infrastructure Update
The Concept Design was approved for the New East Harbour Station project on December 14, 2018.

Kitchener Extension
The Technical Advisor contract for the Kitchener Extension work was awarded on January 3, 2019.

On-Corridor (I assume this is RER)
The RFQ has closed and responses have been evaluated. Pre-Qualifies Proponents were notified on January 25, 2019.

 

[Allandale25]

^ You mean GO Expansion, not RER

 

[SaugeenJunction]

^ You mean GO Expansion, not RER

Old habits die hard. I prefer the term "GO Rapid Rail" used in the business case. Wish Metrolinx could stick to a proper branding for it.

 

[Allandale25]

Updates from the Metrolinx Capital Projects report for the upcoming meeting. I've posted things I found interesting here:

Interesting. They've kept in the "Kitchener Extension" budget of $2.25B even though they've said they are not doing a bypass.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Okay I found some biggies in the Planning and Development report:

GO Expansion Treasury Board decision (Decision Day for GO Expansion):
The GO Expansion program passed a major checkpoint in the benefits management process with the Full Business Case for GO Expansion submitted to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in December 2018 and will be submitted to the Treasury Board in early February 2019. The Business Case is being used by the province along with other inputs to inform decisions regarding advancement of the GO Expansion program.

Corporate Real Estate
Metrolinx is on track to implement the Board-approved Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Market Driven Strategy. Work has begun to develop principles, policies and a governance framework to implement a strategy to fund and construct stations, and an intake process for assessing third-party opportunities has been initiated. An assessment and prioritization of station renovations is underway.

Planning
Metrolinx and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) have established a formal partnership to study and develop transit connections to the planned Regional Transit Centre at Pearson Airport. A study was launched in January to define design constraints and opportunities related to the new facility. Work program performance will be measured by schedule adherence and partnership success, to be based on regular surveys of Metrolinx and GTAA leadership.

 

[crs1026]

^Note the most recent posts in the Davenport thread, suggesting the Ford spending review has forced deferrals on actual spending approvals. Meanwhile, ML continues to advance things which are mostly paper based, and report progress on same.

I have a vision of the laundry on the Titanic, working feverishly to get all of tomorrow's sheets and towels laundered, ironed, folded, and ready for use.

- Paul (jaded)

 

[felix123]

Interesting. They've kept in the "Kitchener Extension" budget of $2.25B even though they've said they are not doing a bypass.

They aren't going to build it. The PCs are all petty, limp-wristed morons who only know their cars and nothing else. They were either too stupid or just too lazy to bother removing that budget item.

 

[Bureaucromancer]

TBH I half expect the the bypass to quietly reappear as an election promise attached to EVEN MOAR Kitchener service once they call a couple more trains to Kitchener and all day to Bramalea a successful implementation of the current nonsense (and blame the problems on induced demand). Which isn't to say I think they'll build it, but I wouldn't count the project as completely forgotten yet - I rather suspect this will live on in the back of minds the way the DRL did through Harris and McGuinty.

 

[M II A II R II K]

Niagara Falls, N.Y. mayor says he wants a GO Train across the border

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...ys-he-wants-a-go-train-across-the-border.html

 

[raptor]

Updates from the Metrolinx Capital Projects report for the upcoming meeting. I've posted things I found interesting here:

Gotta love how the most expensive and important project in GO transit history is mentioned in passing using only 2 sentences.
The RFQ has closed and responses have been evaluated. Pre-Qualifies Proponents were notified on January 25, 2019.

 

[drum118]

Feb 03
McNicoll Ave crossing is double track as well Passmore Ave. Track 1 stops short of the switch north of . Looks like a 3rd track well south of McNicoll.

Precast panels for the tunnel on site at Millikan GO Station. Good chunk of station platform have steel plates. Tracks 1 are being relocated north of the station for the new shoofly track on the west side of the corridor. The shoofly track will require the removal of the west side gates and signals and hydro poles. The existing walkway has been shifted west and only connect to Steeles at the entrance of the Splendid China Mall, requiring a longer walk to the street and bus stop. Sidewalk a lake from the snow.

More up on site

Where the Shoofly track is to go.

 

[Allandale25]

^ Great pictures. Just out of curiosity, what's the purpose of this signal? Is it to let operating crews know the crossing gates are working and down?