GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[crs1026]

Being in a charitable mood this morning - Having wondered why ML has been saying so little about the Halton flyover for so long.... with litigation to expropriate having been under way for a while, I can now understand ML having chosen radio silence. Now that there is a decision, maybe the pendulum will shift towards more photo ops and meaningless press releases, maybe even a PIC or two. Getting the flyover built will be a big step forwards.

- Paul

 

[ARG1]

Just for understanding, what exactly will this flyover accomplish ? I understand it's use long term there is a need to give GO dedicated tracks on the Kitchener Corridor west of Bramalea, but is there a timeline for when that would actually happen, because from what I understood any such upgrades seem to be a while away. Unless the goal is for Metrolinx to finish this litigation, and they start on this project alongside the new Kitchener Tracks.

 

[Allandale25]

Just for understanding, what exactly will this flyover accomplish ? I understand it's use long term there is a need to give GO dedicated tracks on the Kitchener Corridor west of Bramalea, but is there a timeline for when that would actually happen, because from what I understood any such upgrades seem to be a while away. Unless the goal is for Metrolinx to finish this litigation, and they start on this project alongside the new Kitchener Tracks.

It will accomplish what is set out in paragraph 8 in the decision provided above:

[8] As to alternatives, there were none provided by the requestor. Mr. Olbrycht did testify they considered design options and costs. The grade separation and flyover were selected due to the existing volume of freight traffic on the CN rail and the projected traffic of GO trains. The flyover is preferred since it would allow GO trains to move freely from north to south, without conflict with CN traffic.

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Just for understanding, what exactly will this flyover accomplish ?

And to be specific about the topology: looking westbound, ML trains enter the Halton sub from the south side of the shared corridor (from Weston sub, in Brampton) then exit the Halton sub on the north side of the shared corridor (to Guelph sub, in Georgetown).

 

[ARG1]

It will accomplish what is set out in paragraph 8 in the decision provided above:

[8] As to alternatives, there were none provided by the requestor. Mr. Olbrycht did testify they considered design options and costs. The grade separation and flyover were selected due to the existing volume of freight traffic on the CN rail and the projected traffic of GO trains. The flyover is preferred since it would allow GO trains to move freely from north to south, without conflict with CN traffic.

I should've specified that I'm more interested in the timeline on when a 3rd track along the corridor will be available. Until GO gets dedicated tracks separate from CN, this flyover isn't really going to do anything.

 

[Allandale25]

I should've specified that I'm more interested in the timeline on when a 3rd track along the corridor will be available. Until GO gets dedicated tracks separate from CN, this flyover isn't really going to do anything.

The only public update that's available is from the February 2024 Metrolinx board meeting where they said it in December 2023 that CN started design work on the Halton Subdivision.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

I should've specified that I'm more interested in the timeline on when a 3rd track along the corridor will be available. Until GO gets dedicated tracks separate from CN, this flyover isn't really going to do anything.

That's not really true at all. While a 3rd track is absolutely needed for future higher service levels through Brampton, we already have hourly all-day service to Mount Pleasant GO. This flyover means that these frequencies can be extended west to Georgetown and beyond (my assumption is that the Acton, Guelph, and Breslau passing tracks enable hourly on the Guelph Sub). Even in isolation, this project is a huge win for anything west of Mount Pleasant.

 

[Markster]

People did some sleuthing wayyyyyyyy back in the thread about the exact properties connected with the expropriation. This has been 2 years in the making.

Possible land expropriation for Kitchener Line grade separation?
Halton Hills newspaper includes an expropriation notice from Metrolinx for the following properties:
Part of 25059-0026, NW 10th Line & Railway Corridor
Part of 25059-0027, SW 10th Line & Railway Corridor
Part of 25059-0063, NE 10th Line & Railway Corridor
Part of 25059-0065, SE 10th Line & Railway Corridor
Part of 25059-0066, NW Wanless & Winston Churchill Blvd
Part of 25059-0067, E 10444 Winston Churchill Blvd
Part of 25059-0150, W Wanless & Winston Churchill Blvd, road allowance
Part of 25059-0151, N 10444 Winston Churchill Blvd, road allowance
Part of 25059-0190, 10444 Winston Churchill Blvd, Lots 12, 13, 14, 15
Part of 25059-0415, 10852 Winston Churchill Blvd

The Notice doesn't include a map. I don't have access to a map layer with property PINs but the Town of Halton Hills map site does include ownership boundaries, so I've starred the parcels I think are mentioned in the attached map.

View attachment 385099

 

[generalcanada]

Expropriation takes awhile i guess sometimes its better to do it silently first

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Glad to see some movement in regards to the Kitchener line. One can only hope that we see this project complete within our lifetime.

 

[Allandale25]

I think the lands are these (from the Halton Hills online map):

1) SE 10 Line & RC (I wonder if that means "rail corridor")
View attachment 581498

2) NWWinston & Wanless:
View attachment 581504

3) 10444 Winston Churchill Blvd:
View attachment 581497

Parcel 2) may actually be this.

 

[TheHonestMaple]

Some signs of work at West Harbour. Appears that they are clearing the area around the end of the current track in preparation for grading. No signs of rail on site yet, but with the CN yard right there, I can't really distinguish between rail ready for installation and general rail being stored at the yard.
View attachment 579786
View attachment 579787View attachment 579789

Still no change down here after two weeks. Not sure what the hold up is!

 

[drum118]

Still no change down here after two weeks. Not sure what the hold up is!

You are talking about CN who does things on their own timetable and when they have crews to do the work. Any work not related to CN needs fall to the bottom o the list regardless they are making a nice profit off X which happens to Metrolinx in this case, Same for other RR and only have to ask Amtrak or VIA..

 

[Chris R.]

The track work is also not planned to be complete until late 2024 or 2025 from my recollection. Whenever there's a project ahead of schedule they usually just put it on hold to do other things instead of finishing early.

 

[Allandale25]

Parcel 2) may actually be this.
View attachment 581852

Speaking of the Kitchener Line...

"And we're supporting the largest transit expansion in North America, including expansion GO train service on [the] Kitchener Line. And, I'm on our folks like an 800-pound gorilla. I just got off the phone before I walked out and said what is happening, let's keep pushing the Kitchener Line. Now some folks don't realize, but we share the line with CN Rail. And we have to make sure we create passing lines. So that's what we're doing right now. The infrastructure is well on its way and we're moving forward on that." - Premier Ford at an announcement today about a skills fund I believe made in Kitchener.