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VIA Rail

I’m trying to understand what this tweeter thinks VIA should be doing or what they think VIA is hiding given that it was CN that was at fault and they have taken their responsibility of reporting the incident to Transport Canada. As far as I can tell, VIA’s only involvement was having the train nearby which was at threat. VIA needs to have a good working relationship with CN and running to the media to announce that there was nearly an incident would hurt that relationship.
 
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Allandale25 said:
Press release from today's announcement.

VIA Rail continues its transformation by breaking ground on construction of cutting-edge Toronto Maintenance Centre | VIA Rail

TORONTO, July 10, 2023 – Today VIA Rail breaks ground on construction at its Toronto Maintenance Centre (TMC). This major upgrade will provide a state-of-the-art maintenance facility for VIA Rail’s new fleet of 32 trains in the Québec City-Windsor corridor and is an important pillar in VIA...
media.viarail.ca media.viarail.ca
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Part 1 of 2

From the media kit:

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Fact sheet:

The transformation of the Toronto Maintenance Centre (TMC) is an important step in VIA Rail`s modernization process. The work that will be carried out will provide our employees with the necessary tools they need to maintain the new Corridor fleet as well as the current fleet.

VIA Rail wishes to ensure a good quality of life for the neighbourhood during construction and will implement mitigation measures to achieve this. You can send us your comments on the construction by visiting our website at viarail.ca.

An economic driver for the region

More than 450 jobs: The project will generate local jobs in the construction industry and skilled trades from here to the completion in 2026.

Major Investment: This modernization project is part of a $1.5 B investment to replace the Québec City-Windsor corridor fleet and will dynamize the region’s economy during its construction.

Respectful: Neighbourhood quality of life is a priority for VIA Rail. We are committed to minimize the impact of our work on the community.

A state-of-the-art maintenance centre

The new maintenance centre will be equipped with Vehicle Equipment Measurement Systems (VEMS), enabling real-time analysis of fleet performance.

The work will provide the centre with essential infrastructure, including the ability to service and maintain our trains in a single location, improving the efficiency of the process.

New Corridor fleet: An unparalleled travel experience

The new maintenance centre will be one of the homes for VIA Rail’s new fleet of 32 trains on the Québec City-Windsor corridor.

This new fleet will offer a barrier-free, and fully accessible travel experience.

It will also be one of the most environmentally friendly fleets in North America.
Click to expand...
 
^
Part 2 of 2

Q and A:

1. Where and when was this investment made by the federal government?

The Maintenance Facilities upgrade program is part of the Corridor fleet replacement program. The Federal government allocated funds for the Fleet replacement program in its 2018 budget.

2. Explain the phases of the fleet replacement program.

The maintenance facilities upgrades are part of a larger five-phase program aiming to improve VIA Rail’s service in the Corridor.
  • The first phase is the purchase of 32 bi-directional trains for the Corridor fleet.​
  • The second phase consists of modernizing maintenance processes for consist-based maintenance and adapting our maintenance centres to allow them to maintain the new trains.​
  • In the third phase, we will integrate the systems and equipment and build the interface between the 32 trains, allowing various VIA Rail departments to coordinate, monitor, report, communicate and support VIA Rail services.​
  • The fourth phase is the project management phase and exists to ensure the other phases of the project are delivered.​
  • The fifth and final phase of the program is Maintenance facilities upgrades: The Toronto Maintenance Facility and Montreal Maintenance Facility will be upgraded with new infrastructure and facilities to enable efficient maintenance and service of the new fleet.​
3. What is the scope of work and budget for the Toronto Maintenance Centre?

The project to modernize the maintenance centres in Montréal and Toronto is part of the Corridor fleet replacement program, for which funds were allocated in the Federal government’s 2018 budget. Part of the $1.5B overall budget for the New fleet is being invested in the modernization of VIA Rail’s maintenance centres, the implementation and integration of various IT systems as well as the transformation of maintenance processes.

The Toronto Maintenance Centre (TMC) project includes the demolition of a portion of the existing structure of Building C, construction of a new addition, removal, and replacement of tracks, as well as the addition of a stand-alone Wheel Lathe Facility, and critical infrastructure improvements throughout the maintenance yard.

The TMC project scope highlights include:

  • Partial demolition of the existing main building;
  • Modification to the existing main building;
  • New maintenance building addition;
  • New Wheel Lathe building (to maintain wheels and ensure smooth operation on the tracks);
  • Infrastructure and Trackside Service Building (TSB) for Vehicle Equipment Measurement Systems (VEMS);
  • Fuelling upgrades;
  • Stabling upgrades; and
  • State of Good Repair Work (SOGR).

4. The first trains in the New Fleet are going into commercial service in 2023, will there be issues with their maintenance as construction is ongoing?

VIA Rail implemented a detailed transition strategy (adapting the existing facilities) to ensure the new fleet can be maintained safely and effectively through the progress of the construction.

5. As you break ground in Toronto, will there be any impacts on the communities closest to the facility?

Reduced environmental impact for our communities has always been a core priority for the Corridor Fleet Replacement Program.

The city of Toronto, the general population and the stakeholders for the Toronto site have been informed. We have set up communication channels to keep the public regularly updated throughout the process.

To further reduce the impact on the Toronto community, dust, air, noise, and vibration monitoring systems will be set up around the site’s perimeter. These systems will follow provincial guidelines.

Any complaints received regarding nuisance effects (air, noise, vibration) will be investigated promptly and the cause of the complaint will be controlled to ensure no further impacts occur.

6. Have you evaluated the environmental risks (i.e.: contaminated soil) on the construction sites?

VIA has completed a geotechnical survey including soil analysis to determine the extent of contaminated soil, hazardous waste, and presence of biogas. The contractor will monitor any spills, as well as all of the shipping of any excavated soils to ensure they are properly handled and disposed at registered receiving sites.

7. Will maintenance of the new fleet be conducted at both maintenance centres?

The vision for VIA’s modernization plan has always included both Toronto and Montréal’s maintenance centres and its employees as key players in keeping our new fleet running reliably for Canadians.

During construction, both centres will be active in performing maintenance on our trains. As the new fleet arrives in stages, we will be training our staff to adapt to the new trains, using state-of-the-art simulation technology to ensure the longevity of our new fleet.

8. Will VIA’s modernization process create more jobs? If so, how many and where?

In this next step of becoming a more modern passenger rail service, VIA is proud to be contributing to Canada’s sustainable recovery. This project in Toronto will create up to 475 local construction and trade jobs from now to 2026.

9. Beyond removing some cars from the road, how does this project contribute to environmental sustainability?

Before the pandemic, VIA moved millions of passengers from coast to coast to coast and got millions of cars off our roads, which is significant in reducing greenhouse gases.

As well as the positive impact our trains creates for the environment, our new maintenance facilities will both be LEED certified, signifying the facilities’ benchmark for green design and sustainability.

Finally, in 2019 VIA Rail received a grant from environment Canada to remove the containers at the TMC site. VIA Rail is actively working to clean up both sites and has registered the TMC and MMC with the Environment Canada (ECCC) Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) to work towards removing contamination that is found during excavation activities to remediate the sites. The soil contamination is a result of decades of use as a train yard and the accumulation of contamination from related industrial activities, as well as contamination that was previously present on the sites prior to VIA Rail’s occupation.

10. How were contracts awarded for these jobs? Are there any known subcontractors at this point?

VIA Rail conducted a fair, open and transparent procurement process. A market-sounding exercise was conducted in December 2019 with general contractors interested in the project. A request for qualifications (RFQ) was issued in January 2020, and a request for proposals (RFP) was conducted and released to a shortlist of qualified proponents. Selecting our partners was based on relevant experience, technical compliance, delivery capacity, and price. We followed the most rigorous governance practices and had a Fairness Monitor oversee the process to ensure it was open and transparent.

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dowlingm said:
a large chunk of her Twitter seems to be about being angry about the closure of CN Montreal rail traffic control centre, so that may have already occurred
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Yeah but I'm pretty sure anyone would be angry if they were told they had to move across the country to Edmonton if they wanted to continue their career.
 
smallspy said:
For all intents and purposes, CTC is necessary when operating passenger trains. TC will no longer approve any new passenger runs without it.

Dan
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Would this mean the Newmarket North sub (the one north of Washago) would get upgraded to CTC if the northland were to return since it's technically a new passenger run?
 
smallspy said:
There will be a press conference tomorrow morning to announce the details of the improvements coming to London Station.

www.newswire.ca

MEDIA ADVISORY: VIA Rail to announce over $25 million investment for upgrades to London Station

/CNW/ - On July 11, VIA Rail will be holding a media event at London Station to announce over $25M in upgrades as part of ongoing modernization efforts to...
www.newswire.ca www.newswire.ca

Dan
Click to expand...
No level boarding
www.transportaction.ca

London station upgrades announced

VIA Rail formally announced $25M of investments in its London station on July 11, 2023. When complete, the improvements will make the station fully accessible and more environmentally sustainable.
www.transportaction.ca www.transportaction.ca
 
dowlingm said:
No level boarding
www.transportaction.ca

London station upgrades announced

VIA Rail formally announced $25M of investments in its London station on July 11, 2023. When complete, the improvements will make the station fully accessible and more environmentally sustainable.
www.transportaction.ca www.transportaction.ca
Click to expand...

From the above:

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The official VIA press release is here:

VIA RAIL CONTINUES TO IMPROVE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE WITH OVER $25 MILLION INVESTMENT IN LONDON STATION UPGRADES | VIA Rail

London, July 11, 2023 – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) today announced over $25 million in upgrades to its London, Ontario station. Once completed in 2025, these investments will make the station – one of the busiest in VIA Rail’s network – a more comfortable, more accessible, and more efficient...
media.viarail.ca media.viarail.ca
 
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