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GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

It's too bad that, as usual, the progress of construction did not go nearly as well as their media spin did.

A number of level crossings remain closed this morning as they did not complete the paving operations overnight.
At least it was only closed to cars (asphalting incomplete) and not to trains (steel complete)
 
^ I’m told that there will be similar work blocks coming up on several weekends between now to December that will do similar improvement for the entire Guelph-Kitchener section of the line.
Oct 18-21
#20 Crossover Installation – 62.20
#12 Crossover Removal – 62.14
Lancaster St. Crossing Rehab – 62.08
Mainline Undercutting 62.04-61.90
Yorkshire Crossing Rehab – 49.33
Mainline Undercutting – 49.33-49.09
Bridge Panel Track Construction – 48.94 & 48.98

Nov 1-4
St.Leger Crossing Rehabilitation – 62.26
Service Track Rehabilitation – 61.48-62.05
Mainline Undercutting – 49.33-49.79

Nov 15-18
Mainline Undercutting – 49.79-56.35
Mainline Undercutting – 56.29-56.35
Mainline Undercutting – 55.40-55.70
Service Track Rehabilitation – 61.48-62.05

Nov 29-Dec 2
Mainline Undercutting – 52.21-52.28
Mainline Undercutting – 51.97-52.07
Mainline Undercutting – 32.10-32.20

- Paul

What is Mainline undercutting?
 
What is Mainline undercutting?

Undercutting removes the ballast and a bit of subgrade from under the track, leaving the rails and crossties intact. Basically a big creeping machine with an arm with devices that reach under the track, scoop out the ballast and dirt, and dump it to the side or into a ballast cleaner.
After undercutting, the subgrade can be repaired and improved, by either adding new granular material, and/or adding geotextile. Then ballast - either new and/cleaned old material - iis dumped on top. Last, the line is tamped, which moves some of the ballast under the track, bringing the tracks up to the original level, (or to a new elevation in some cases). After plenty of tamping, the new grading or banking is achieved.
The Guelph Sub had very old and muddy ballast, even sections of cinder ballast dating from the steam engine era. This work upgrades the track bed to handle today’s heavier trains and to achieve a surface that will support higher speeds. It’s a pretty significant improvement towards a RER quality track after decades of minimal maintenance of a fundamentally steam-era roadbed.

- Paul
 
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Undercutting removes the ballast and a bit of subgrade from under the track, leaving the rails and crossties intact. Basically a big creeping machine with an arm with devices that reach under the track, scoop out the ballast and dirt, and dump it to the side or into a ballast cleaner.
After undercutting, the subgrade can be repaired and improved, by either adding new granular material, and/or adding geotextile. Then ballast - either new and/cleaned old material - iis dumped on top. Last, the line is tamped, which moves some of the ballast under the track, bringing the tracks up to the original level, (or to a new elevation in some cases). After plenty of tamping, the new grading or banking is achieved.
The Guelph Sub had very old and muddy ballast, even sections of cinder ballast dating from the steam engine era. This work upgrades the track bed to handle today’s heavier trains and to achieve a surface that will support higher speeds. It’s a pretty significant improvement towards a RER quality track after decades of minimal maintenance of a fundamentally steam-era roadbed.

- Paul

Very neat. What class is the track however? Will replacing the subgrade and ballast allow for higher speed or will the actual track have to be replaced with a higher class?
 
Very neat. What class is the track however? Will replacing the subgrade and ballast allow for higher speed or will the actual track have to be replaced with a higher class?

In theory, the fresh and clean ballast will hold its shape, and the shape of the track itself, better and with less maintenance than fouled ballast. It doesn't allow for higher classes of track, but it does allow it to be kept more easily.

The rail itself is immaterial to the grade of track, and in most cases so is the number of ties per mile.

The Guelph Sub is currently maintained to a Class 4 standard. The hope is that there is enough budget to get it to Class 5.

Dan
 
In theory, the fresh and clean ballast will hold its shape, and the shape of the track itself, better and with less maintenance than fouled ballast. It doesn't allow for higher classes of track, but it does allow it to be kept more easily.

The rail itself is immaterial to the grade of track, and in most cases so is the number of ties per mile.

The Guelph Sub is currently maintained to a Class 4 standard. The hope is that there is enough budget to get it to Class 5.

Dan
As it should be, it's connecting the furthest destinations (outside of Niagara) to Downtown. It should have high-speed service, especially since there's, comparatively, much less freight running along the line.
 
Surprised it hasn't been posted but, GO/Metrolinx has tendered out the South Concourse rebuild with MUCH wider platforms, better vertical access and provision for level platforms (plus it looks like it will be electrified first). The tender can be found on Need though a render is also now at the bottom of the Union Station Construction Page on GOs website. I've inserted it below.


Video to come.View attachment 212170
Thanks, but I don't see the need to post the same post on multiple threads. There's a reason we have dedicated threads.
 
212223


The people look like they're walking to a brand new exit that is west of the York West Teamway. Intentional?
 
Sorry to interject here but does anyone know wtf is going (or not going, in this case) on with Exhibition Station?

The pieces which started construction were considered too small for events over the long-term. So, that project died.

They're expecting to rebuild the station with 3 pedestrian tunnels instead, which is/was targeting 2023 for completion. It may have gotten caught up in Ford's order to find private companies willing to fund station work OR Ontario Line studies as the expected summer 2018 public meetings didn't happen (that I recall).

 
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Thank you, thank you.

3 tunnels sounds better than what's there now. Me and me mates don't even bother crossing north after matches....we just get on trains going downtown to hit our favourite pubs there on match day. That's how shit the current configuration is....can't even go to our favourite Liberty pub after a match.

Which I guess isn't too bad. The Jersey Giant > Big Rock (don't worry guys, I still love you).
 
From the Metrolinx Activities Update - Fall 2019 (at Vaughan Committee of the Whole):

The Rutherford Road Grade Separation and GO Station improvements are proceeding with support from City Staff

The Rutherford Road Grade Separation and GO Station improvements are proceeding on schedule. Temporary works such as construction of detour road began in Summer 2019 and major construction work is anticipated to begin in Fall 2019.

Staff are continuing to work with Metrolinx to deliver additional pedestrian and cycling access points to Maple GO station
The implementation of additional pedestrian and cycling access points is an important step to reducing the number of commuters currently driving and parking at this station, which is a major source of congestion on the area road network during peak hours. Additional pedestrian and cycling connections that staff are currently working with Metrolinx to deliver include a pedestrian bridge over Major Mackenzie Drive and a pedestrian access connection from the adjacent neighborhood. Public consultation and engagement are anticipated to begin in Fall 2019 by Metrolinx’s communication team.

Block 27 Landowner’s Group submitted their Expression of Interest for the implementation of the proposed Kirby GO station on July 19, 2019 to Metrolinx
The Landowner’s Group letter is an important milestone in fulfilling the requirements of Metrolinx’s Transit-Oriented Development strategy, which defines the principles that allows for the future delivery of the Kirby GO Station. Metrolinx and the Block 27 Landowner’s Group are to meet to review the Kirby GO Station principles and possible requirements for the planning and delivery of the project.

The Concord GO Centre Mobility Hub Study and Transportation Master Plan are on schedule
Both studies will be jointly soliciting public feedback to assist with identifying the future transportation network and land use needs of the area. A public open house is scheduled for November 12, 2019. As the potential Concord GO Station does not currently have an approved Metrolinx Business Case, the results from the Mobility Hub Study and Transportation Master Plan may provide updated information to potentially initiate a request for Metrolinx to update to their Business Case.

Metrolinx is working internally to deliver the required noise walls for the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion
Metrolinx’s Corridor Expansion project team will be responsible for construction of noise walls between Rutherford Road and McNaughton Road. The construction of these walls was originally identified within the station work contract. Metrolinx have removed the noise walls from the station construction and will undertake a separate project. Additional details, including whether a missing section of noise wall along Ridgefield Crescent and Marlott Road is to be constructed, have not yet been provided by Metrolinx. Therefore, the City has been actively monitoring the condition of the wall and ensuring pedestrian access is restricted by maintaining temporary metal fences along the corridor. The City will be repairing damaged or fallen fences along this corridor prior to winter through a tender that is in the process of award. Currently, there are approximately 100 Fence Posts to be repaired and 162 Fence Panels to be repaired.

Additional improvements are necessary to enable the GO expansion service levels which will require an additional Environmental Assessment under the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)
Metrolinx has identified addition infrastructure improvement to support the Barrie Go expansion. These improvements will require a new TPAP include areas of proposed new tracks, five new layover and storage facilities, and new track and facilities to be electrified. An addendum to the 2017 GO Rail Network Electrification TPAP will be undertaken in parallel, which includes the assessment of the McNaughton Road/ GO rail grade separation in Vaughan. The first Public Meeting is anticipated to be in Fall 2019, Notice of Commencement is anticipated to be issued in Q1 2020 and Statement of Completion by end of Q3 2020.
 
^ Fascinating. I wonder why the "additional information requirements" weren't captured I the original TPAP?
 

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