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GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

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.

Source

The Environmental Assessment for improvements to Rutherford Road was completed in mid-2016
The Environmental Assessment (EA) study for improvements to Rutherford Road/Carrville Road from Jane Street to Yonge Street was completed in mid2016. The EA included a proposed widening of Rutherford Road to six lanes to accommodate HOV/transit priority lanes, sidewalks/cycle tracks on both sides, transit bus pads/shelters, a grade separation at the Barrie GO Rail/Rutherford Road intersection and a landscaped median where sufficient space is available.

The Region has partnered with Metrolinx on the construction of improvements to Rutherford Road from Westburne Drive to Peter Rupert Avenue
The Regional Express Rail project is currently being implemented by Metrolinx at the Barrie GO Rail/Rutherford Road intersection. At the same time, the Region is undertaking improvements to Rutherford Road between Jane Street and Westburne Drive. Given the overlap of these two initiatives, the Region and Metrolinx have agreed in principle that Metrolinx will undertake the grade separation works as well as the required improvements to Rutherford Road from Westburne Drive to Peter Rupert Avenue as outlined in the approved EA. The property acquisitions that are the subject of this report are privately owned lands located between Westburne Drive and Peter Rupert Avenue.
 
May 2 Town Hall answers now up.
https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-may-2-2019

It's interesting 'entertainment' reading.

The Premier's Office has obviously stated guidelines for the answers, the mantras are blatant, rehearsed and limited. Three weeks for this? God knows how long it would take them to offer real answers. Perhaps that is spelled "e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n?"
 
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Since it's related to the construction, do we expect AD2W similar to or more frequent to Barrie on ST Line when the current work on double tracking and station expansions is done?

That’s the intent, yes.

Also two questions, the bridge south of Agincourt over Sheppard, is it wide enough for two tracks? Seems tight . . .

Other q, is there anything limiting them from widening the Scarborough Junction to Kennedy section to two tracks? And then linking one of them to one of the more southern tracks at Scarborough?

The bridge is fine for two tracks.

The plan has always been to have two tracks south of Kennedy ... but ... the design of the tie-in at Scarborough Jct is not simple, and is impacted by planned track additions westward to Union. ML appears to have quietly scaled back all of that work - likely due to Ford not funding it. So don’t hold your breath.

- Paul
 
On today's announcement at Exhibition Station, this might have bearing:
[...]
Beyond the temperament of the fans, Tuira says the transit infrastructure at Exhibition Place isn’t as elaborate as Union Station, which makes it more challenging to get almost 30,000 spectators home.

“There’s only one real exit out,” he says of the Exhibition GO station tunnel, which can take up to 20 minutes to traverse after games. Metrolinx is working on a solution, which could involve widening the at-capacity tunnel, but that’s a long-term project. In the meantime, the challenge is to ensure fans exit in an orderly, safe, and speedy fashion.

That’s not an easy task, but there’s a few tricks transit agencies rely on to accomplish the goal. The first is to provide more frequent service around the time that games end. That means GO trains leave every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. The TTC doesn’t do the same for games at the Air Canada Centre — the Yonge-University-Spadina line is already at capacity — but they add vehicles to serve TFC’s BMO Field when necessary.
[...]
http://spacing.ca/toronto/2019/05/29/game-day-transit-planning/
 
Maybe that announcement is linked up to the redesign of Exhibition station?
That seems to be the most likely of the guesses. It would certainly appeal to the "Buck a Beer" crowd, not be costly in the big scheme of things, and keep alive the "Ontario Line Dream" to boot.

To be fair, that station is a terribly designed piece of giant poo-poo. It's been an ongoing rebuild for years, and will probably continue to be so. It's a tradition they're keeping alive...scalpers don't just sell event tickets, they sell transit ones too.
 
Ontario Getting People Moving with GO Rail Expansion Program
Prequalified Bidders for GO Expansion Project Announced
May 30, 2019 3:30 P.M.
Ministry of Transportation

Toronto — Ontario's government for the people is moving forward with the next stage of the GO Rail Expansion program that will improve and expand GO train service into a two-way, all-day rapid transit service every 15 minutes on core segments of the GO Rail network.

"The GO Expansion program is transforming GO Transit to make life easier for people by shortening commutes, reducing congestion and getting people to work and home faster," said Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek. "Our government is committed to improving the transit experience for people and to ensuring that the GTHA continues to grow and prosper as one, integrated region."

A Request for Proposals will be sent to the pre-qualified teams who will be bidding to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the infrastructure for the largest capital project in the GO Expansion program, the On-Corridor Works project. The four teams pre-qualified to bid on the project are EnTransit, MTR Kiewit Partners, ONcore Transit, and ONxpress Transportation Partners.

"The GO Rail Expansion program will make travelling across the GTHA a faster, easier and a more seamless experience for commuters," said Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton. "Partnering with the private sector to deliver this program will minimize construction delays and financial risks to taxpayers. That allows us to protect front-line services and programs that matter to people - all while bringing good jobs and new investment to this region."

Through the GO Rail Expansion program, Ontario's government is delivering on its commitment to improve the customer experience throughout the GO Transit network. Programs like free travel for children 12 years and under, and historic increases to GO service are putting commuters and people who rely on public transit first.

"Ontario's government is protecting what matters most to people," said Minister Yurek. "We are investing in front-line services and programs, including the GO Rail Expansion program, that will show the world that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs, and make a real difference in people's lives."

Additional Resources
Quotes
“We are passionate about connecting communities, and even more excited about the private sector partnerships that are being developed to ensure we have the right technological solution that will enable people to get where they want to go faster and easier,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster. “We are delivering improved transit right now, and we are excited for what the future holds to connect people to where they live, work and play.”


“We have strong teams bidding on the project combining proven international and local experience," said Infrastructure Ontario President and CEO Ehren Cory. "We look forward to seeing their innovative proposals to build and operate the GO Rail Expansion program for the benefit of the entire region.”
 
Looks like electrification is dead. Compare the news release from IO below, with the original scope here. Note the word 'electrification' appears in one but not the other.


Teams Prequalified for Go Rail Expansion On-Corridor Works Project
May 30, 2019
TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are pleased to announce four teams have been prequalified to bid on the On-Corridor Works project as part of the GO Rail Expansion program which will provide more travel options for residents and commuters. Upon delivery, the GO Rail Expansion program will provide faster, more frequent, two-way, all-day service on core segments of the GO rail network.
Teams were prequalified from a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that began in March 2018 and were evaluated based on their experience and ability to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a project of this scope and complexity.
The prequalified teams are:
EnTransit
  • Applicant Lead: SNC-Lavalin Capital, Siemens Project Ventures, Keolis
  • Construction Team: SNC-Lavalin, Siemens
  • Design Team: SNC-Lavalin, Siemens, Balfour Beatty Rail
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: Keolis SNCF, SNC-Lavalin, Siemens
  • Financial Advisor: National Bank
MTR Kiewit Partners
  • Applicant Lead: MTR, Kiewit
  • Construction Team: MTR, Kiewit
  • Design Team: MTR, Arup, Mott Macdonald
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: MTR
  • Financial Advisor: Scotiabank
ONcore Transit
  • Applicant Lead: ACS
  • Construction Team: Dragados Canada
  • Design Team: AECOM, Sener
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: ACSIC, RATP Dev, Bombardier
  • Financial Advisor: Astris Finance and Rubicon
ONxpress Transportation Partners
  • Applicant Lead: Aecon Concessions, John Holland, Meridiam Infrastructure, Alstom Transport Canada
  • Construction Team: Aecon IM, John Holland, Alstom
  • Design Team: WSP, Hatch, Alstom
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: Deutsche Bahn, John Holland, Aecon O&M
  • Financial Advisor: RBC Dominion Securities
The scope of the On Corridor Works project includes:
  • Operation of train services including train driving
  • Timetable planning, train control and dispatch for all operators across the GO-owned rail network
  • Design, build, finance, integration, maintenance, rehabilitation or renewal of the railway corridor (civil infrastructure, tracks, systems, signaling, rolling stock, etc.)
  • Refurbishment, maintenance, servicing and cleaning of all rolling stock and procurement of new rolling stock
  • Construction of new maintenance and train storage and/or layover facilities
  • Reconstruction of Union Station track and platforms
  • Compliance with Metrolinx safety, security and emergency management policies
The On-Corridor Works project is a part of the Province's GO Rail Expansion program that will transform the existing GO Rail network into a world class rail system, create vibrant communities and provide greater opportunities for local jobs and business investment in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
 
Looks like electrification is dead. Compare the news release from IO below, with the original scope here. Note the word 'electrification' appears in one but not the other.


Teams Prequalified for Go Rail Expansion On-Corridor Works Project
May 30, 2019
TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are pleased to announce four teams have been prequalified to bid on the On-Corridor Works project as part of the GO Rail Expansion program which will provide more travel options for residents and commuters. Upon delivery, the GO Rail Expansion program will provide faster, more frequent, two-way, all-day service on core segments of the GO rail network.
Teams were prequalified from a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that began in March 2018 and were evaluated based on their experience and ability to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a project of this scope and complexity.
The prequalified teams are:
EnTransit
  • Applicant Lead: SNC-Lavalin Capital, Siemens Project Ventures, Keolis
  • Construction Team: SNC-Lavalin, Siemens
  • Design Team: SNC-Lavalin, Siemens, Balfour Beatty Rail
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: Keolis SNCF, SNC-Lavalin, Siemens
  • Financial Advisor: National Bank
MTR Kiewit Partners
  • Applicant Lead: MTR, Kiewit
  • Construction Team: MTR, Kiewit
  • Design Team: MTR, Arup, Mott Macdonald
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: MTR
  • Financial Advisor: Scotiabank
ONcore Transit
  • Applicant Lead: ACS
  • Construction Team: Dragados Canada
  • Design Team: AECOM, Sener
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: ACSIC, RATP Dev, Bombardier
  • Financial Advisor: Astris Finance and Rubicon
ONxpress Transportation Partners
  • Applicant Lead: Aecon Concessions, John Holland, Meridiam Infrastructure, Alstom Transport Canada
  • Construction Team: Aecon IM, John Holland, Alstom
  • Design Team: WSP, Hatch, Alstom
  • Operations & Maintenance Team: Deutsche Bahn, John Holland, Aecon O&M
  • Financial Advisor: RBC Dominion Securities
The scope of the On Corridor Works project includes:
  • Operation of train services including train driving
  • Timetable planning, train control and dispatch for all operators across the GO-owned rail network
  • Design, build, finance, integration, maintenance, rehabilitation or renewal of the railway corridor (civil infrastructure, tracks, systems, signaling, rolling stock, etc.)
  • Refurbishment, maintenance, servicing and cleaning of all rolling stock and procurement of new rolling stock
  • Construction of new maintenance and train storage and/or layover facilities
  • Reconstruction of Union Station track and platforms
  • Compliance with Metrolinx safety, security and emergency management policies
The On-Corridor Works project is a part of the Province's GO Rail Expansion program that will transform the existing GO Rail network into a world class rail system, create vibrant communities and provide greater opportunities for local jobs and business investment in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

It's either hydrogen or catenary. It was specifically stated in the presser that they're phasing out diesel.
 
I 100% disagree with the electrification is dead statement.

This was always the way the package was going to happen, MTR DB etc would never go for a diesel set up when they have to bear long term reliability and operations costs. Electric is inevitable.

I consider "world class rail system" to include electrification.
 
It's either hydrogen or catenary. It was specifically stated in the presser that they're phasing out diesel.
They actually didn't rule out diesel - Verster said that it is left up to the proponent to choose the propulsion system that provides the most value to taxpayers. Given the proposed frequencies, I would be surprised if that's diesel. Hydrogen is unlikely, perhaps on some outer portions of the network.. the core system is almost certainly going to be catenary.
 
It's either hydrogen or catenary. It was specifically stated in the presser that they're phasing out diesel.
That's been stated for over a decade. Hundreds of times. I'm looking through the press release and other background info. I can't find any mention of your claim for the present. Could you supply a link or specific quote or reference?

@innsertnamehere I cross posted. I mostly concur.
It was specifically stated in the presser that they're phasing out diesel.
"Specifically" what presser?
 
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That's been stated for over a decade. Hundreds of times. I'm looking through the press release and other background info. I can't find any mention of your claim for the present. Could you supply a link or specific quote or reference?

@innsertnamehere I cross posted. Indeed I concur.

"Specifically" what presser?
The one held this afternoon along with this announcement? If you watch it Oliver Moore of the Globe and Mail explicitly asked if electrification was still on the table or not and Verster gave the answer that I laid out above.
 

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