GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[Mr Finish Line]

I have a theory about the Stouffville service cuts. They were not for construction on the Stouffville line. They were for the Ontario Line/LSE Joint Corridor work. Most of the double tracking work on Stouffville was done before the cuts, and since the cuts almost nothing has been done. Meanwhile it's been reported on UT that tons of work is going on in the Joint Corridor. I think they don't want those extra 2 TPH there and they already cut express service on LSE so they'd rather cut Stouffville than further cut LSE, which has significantly more ridership.

The sad thing is, as has been pointed out many times, Metrolinx seems to be absolutely blowing it with construction staging. This is the perfect time to get the West Highland Creek bridge done, but nothing is happening.

I'll take my drone out and get a vid of the West Highland Creek bridge this weekend to show some hard lack of evidence.

 

[nfitz]

Meanwhile it's been reported on UT that tons of work is going on in the Joint Corridor. I think they don't want those extra 2 TPH there and they already cut express service on LSE so they'd rather cut Stouffville than further cut LSE, which has significantly more ridership.

I haven't seen much going on at all on the joint corridor between Pape and the Don. There was some tree cutting earlier ... perhaps some utility work.

 

[crs1026]

I haven't seen much going on at all on the joint corridor between Pape and the Don. There was some tree cutting earlier ... perhaps some utility work.

There is lots of evidence of Telco relocations. But yeah, west of Pape the work hinges on the Ontario Line, and I bet a lot of the engineering is still to be done. Wholedifferent staging of work in that zone.

- Paul

 

[crs1026]

I have a theory about the Stouffville service cuts. They were not for construction on the Stouffville line. They were for the Ontario Line/LSE Joint Corridor work.

A great insight. I wonder, too, whether the bridge contractor has plenty of other work and limited staff and perhaps has effectively walked away from the project, for now or for good.

The downfall of Ml's whole contracting strategy is, it relies ongoing to court to get redress. That's not a very effective weapon - if the contractor has already foregone any incentive payments and/or swallowed penalties, there is no pain.....and it does nothing to restart or expedite stalled work. The legal wrangling takes time which is a lever that works against ML.

I wonder, too, if the contractors have managed to add huge amounts of padding in their negotiated timelines, as a countermeasure to ML.'s fixed-price approach. Theloose staging may actually be written into the contract.

- Paul

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

A great insight. I wonder, too, whether the bridge contractor has plenty of other work and limited staff and perhaps has effectively walked away from the project, for now or for good.

The downfall of Ml's whole contracting strategy is, it relies ongoing to court to get redress. That's not a very effective weapon - if the contractor has already foregone any incentive payments and/or swallowed penalties, there is no pain.....and it does nothing to restart or expedite stalled work. The legal wrangling takes time which is a lever that works against ML.

I wonder, too, if the contractors have managed to add huge amounts of padding in their negotiated timelines, as a countermeasure to ML.'s fixed-price approach. Theloose staging may actually be written into the contract.

- Paul

The solution is to design a contract for multiple outs - and find a contractor who would sign something like that.

 

[crs1026]

The solution is to design a contract for multiple outs - and find a contractor who would sign something like that.

Another solution would be to revert to a time honoured traditional construction claims process - and then sensitize the public and media to the concept that fixed price does not insulate projects from unforeseens and possible escalations. And then be transparent about project timelines.

- Paul

 

[Allandale25]

Received today:

Thank you for registering for the Virtual Open House for the Bowmanville Extension Environmental Project Report (EPR) Addendum on June 14, 2023!



In lead up to the completion of the Environmental Project Report (EPR) Addendum, the Virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) is now open until June 21, 2023. Materials on the results of the technical studies, including potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures, are available for review and feedback. During this Virtual PIC period, the public may submit questions and/or feedback via the Slido form at the bottom of the webpage or by email to our community inbox at DurhamRegion@metrolinx.com.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

From the link. Looks like lots of work to cross the 401, and a mini Davenport Diamond bridge for Oshawa?

The GM Spur bridge is getting completely replaced with a double track bridge for GO and CP tracks. I’m trying to figure out the grade profiles of the new GO line. It seems to be almost all elevated between the 401 and the CP mainline. Assuming it’s level with the GM spur at the 401 crossing, it must rise to cross the GM spur again (as evidenced by the new rail over rail bridge). The new retaining wall near the CP mainline implies a dropping grade differential too. Or am I crazy?

There is also a pretty large double track section too, and the GO tracks are GO-only which is nice.

 

[Krypto98]

From the link. Looks like lots of work to cross the 401, and a mini Davenport Diamond bridge for Oshawa?

The GM Spur bridge is getting completely replaced with a double track bridge for GO and CP tracks. I’m trying to figure out the grade profiles of the new GO line. It seems to be almost all elevated between the 401 and the CP mainline. Assuming it’s level with the GM spur at the 401 crossing, it must rise to cross the GM spur again (as evidenced by the new rail over rail bridge). The new retaining wall near the CP mainline implies a dropping grade differential too. Or am I crazy?

View attachment 483894
View attachment 483895

There is also a pretty large double track section too, and the GO tracks are GO-only which is nice.

If the GO tracks are GO only it might just be an extension of the existing GO sub

Slightly unrelated but if GO wanted to expand to Belleville on via Kingston sub they could merge MX Thickson and CN Oshawa West to have a crossover between the two to allow GO to cross to the Kingston. 3 years ago I would have said it would be impossible but given the London pilot a 150 mile operating radius might be possible...

Getting GO Train service to Peterborough on the other hand... either use the old CN Uxbridge sub ROW which has steep 3% grades or the CP Havelock sub or use something completely new...

 

[crs1026]

One most interesting detail - hourly service off peak, 30 minutes at peak, bi-hourly on weekends. That's more than the original studies which only suggested 5 peak trains. I'm pleased to see that as without 2WAD frequency, the incentive to drive to Oshawa would remain.

The single track section from Oshawa to Albert St where the double track begins will be slow going. Half hourly service is likely all the track layout will allow, but that's likely fine for a couple of decades at least.

It's good to see ML getting on with this - and proof that CP is not an unmovable opponent. But - it will still be years to finish the EA, do the procurement, and get all that trackwork done. I wonder how this fits against all the other work needed to Kitchener and Niagara.

- Paul

 

[Sunnyside]

One most interesting detail - hourly service off peak, 30 minutes at peak, bi-hourly on weekends. That's more than the original studies which only suggested 5 peak trains. I'm pleased to see that as without 2WAD frequency, the incentive to drive to Oshawa would remain.

The single track section from Oshawa to Albert St where the double track begins will be slow going. Half hourly service is likely all the track layout will allow, but that's likely fine for a couple of decades at least.

It's good to see ML getting on with this - and proof that CP is not an unmovable opponent. But - it will still be years to finish the EA, do the procurement, and get all that trackwork done. I wonder how this fits against all the other work needed to Kitchener and Niagara.

- Paul


View attachment 483928

CP seems to get alot of unecessary flak sometimes.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

One most interesting detail - hourly service off peak, 30 minutes at peak, bi-hourly on weekends. That's more than the original studies which only suggested 5 peak trains. I'm pleased to see that as without 2WAD frequency, the incentive to drive to Oshawa would remain.

The single track section from Oshawa to Albert St where the double track begins will be slow going. Half hourly service is likely all the track layout will allow, but that's likely fine for a couple of decades at least.

It's good to see ML getting on with this - and proof that CP is not an unmovable opponent. But - it will still be years to finish the EA, do the procurement, and get all that trackwork done. I wonder how this fits against all the other work needed to Kitchener and Niagara.

- Paul


View attachment 483928

The good news is that the project is procured already, and this new design is a result of that procurement. The Bowmanville extension used a construction management model, similar to the “alliance” model. Both parties (MX and the bidder) worked to refine the design, and when Metrolinx is ready, they will execute the contract to start construction. The addendum to the EA shouldn’t take too long.

Contract went out in April of 2022.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

CP seems to get alot of unecessary flak sometimes.

I think folks need to realize that CN or CPKC aren’t always the baddies… it may be the inflexible government bureaucracy.

 

[innsertnamehere]

I really wish Metrolinx could have figured out how to extend 15 minute RER service to Ritson Rd, but this is a good start. I guess they didn't want to spend the money to extend the double-tracking over the 401 overpass.

 

[smallspy]

One most interesting detail - hourly service off peak, 30 minutes at peak, bi-hourly on weekends. That's more than the original studies which only suggested 5 peak trains. I'm pleased to see that as without 2WAD frequency, the incentive to drive to Oshawa would remain.

The single track section from Oshawa to Albert St where the double track begins will be slow going. Half hourly service is likely all the track layout will allow, but that's likely fine for a couple of decades at least.

It's good to see ML getting on with this - and proof that CP is not an unmovable opponent. But - it will still be years to finish the EA, do the procurement, and get all that trackwork done. I wonder how this fits against all the other work needed to Kitchener and Niagara.

- Paul


View attachment 483928

There seems to be some fine print that they left out, however. Yes, this is good if it is in fact the service levels for the full extension.

The original EA, however, had all service being extended from the current Oshawa to Oshawa Central, with the peak service being extended to/from Bowmanville.

If you are heading to/from downtown Oshawa, this is actually a substantial decrease in service levels.

Dan