Ottawa Rapid Transit Network developments

[MalcolmTucker]

Those transit expansions, there was no extra special money from other levels of government for it (to my knowledge, I know for certain there wasn't in Calgary and Edmonton).

The main difference is the impetus at city council level that creates a willingness to take on debt. If Ottawa was willing to borrow a billion dollars, the rest of the money could be found within the existing project envelop from the other levels of government. If the project is going to let Transpo streamline services and save a bunch of operational funding, the savings alone could service a large debt.

[RTWAP]

Eric Darwin at WestSideAction has an interesting observation about the optics of light rail with respect to the Ottawa/Gatineau divide.

http://westsideaction.blogspot.com/2...ck-on-bus.html

[waterloowarrior]

Report identifies Bayshore to Moodie Transitway route
Posted Nov 9, 2009
BY EMC NEWS
http://www.emcbarrhaven.ca/20091106/...ansitway+route

A draft report comparing the impacts and attributes of alternatives for the Bayshore to Moodie Transitway has identified the alignment running north of the Queensway as the best route.

The report identifies a lower cost than alignments crossing the highway and decreased effects on the natural environment as merits that push the preferred alignment beyond the three alternative routes.

“These alternatives were pre-screened based on their ability to meet interim and ultimate study objectives and considering their potential effects to the natural environment and social/cultural environment,” the report reads. “Based on the pre-screening process, the Queensway North and Queensway South route alternatives were carried forward for further evaluation of technical considerations.”

In its conclusion, the report notes that while the alignment runs close to the Stillwater Creek Valley, “edge mitigation measures” could reduce the impact of the Transitway in this location.


This must be the report (preliminary drawings at p. 63 of pdf)
http://alexcullen.ca/AECERA/Draft%20...26,%202009.pdf

appendices can be found at (AECERA reporT)
http://alexcullen.ca/

[Dado]

Originally Posted by RTWAP

Eric Darwin at WestSideAction has an interesting observation about the optics of light rail with respect to the Ottawa/Gatineau divide.

http://westsideaction.blogspot.com/2...ck-on-bus.html

Except they just had a municipal election in Gatineau in which the populace voted back in the mayor who has been pushing Rapibus...

[Kitchissippi]

Also, to a Péquist, what would be the the "optics" of a train funnelling Quebecers directly into big, bad Ontario?

Gatineau actually has a good chance of a doing a better version of the O-Train, as the track on their side goes through areas with much higher potential and the route is easier to double track. Their train doesn't even have to cross the river, either. It could easily curve into their downtown waterfront, within the envious gaze of Ottawans still waiting for decent transit through the core.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Also, to a Péquist, what would be the the "optics" of a train funnelling Quebecers directly into big, bad Ontario?

Gatineau actually has a good chance of a doing a better version of the O-Train, as the track on their side goes through areas with much higher potential and the route is easier to double track. Their train doesn't even have to cross the river, either. It could easily curve into their downtown waterfront, within the envious gaze of Ottawans still waiting for decent transit through the core.

I don't foresee any "train envy" in the future from the Gatineau side. Ottawa has made overtures about extending the O-Train into Quebec and no one from Gatineau picked up on it, so there you have it.

[Dado]

Ottawa has never once made an overture to extend the O-Train across the river.

It's only ever been proposed by transit advocates (on both sides) and other community advocates (such as Mr. Darwin) as well as the Mayor's Task Force. Every now and then City of Ottawa councillors have agreed and have even passed resolutions but it has never got any further than that.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by Dado

Ottawa has never once made an overture to extend the O-Train across the river.

It's only ever been proposed by transit advocates (on both sides) and other community advocates (such as Mr. Darwin) as well as the Mayor's Task Force. Every now and then City of Ottawa councillors have agreed and have even passed resolutions but it has never got any further than that.

Which is why an interprovincial metropolitan transit authority is needed. Only the federal government can establish that though.

[Ottawan]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Which is why an interprovincial metropolitan transit authority is needed.

I couldn't agree more.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ Ain't going to happen.

[eternallyme]

I've thought of another idea for using the existing Transitway between Campus and Hurdman if the LRT is completely separated (as I think it should be):

It could be re-used as a rail corridor, being completely grade separated. If the railway line is tunnelled to a terminus at the existing Government Conference Centre (re-christened as Union Station) and either tunnelled, trenched or elevated to the existing Ottawa Central Railway tracks where a diamond would be necessary, would enable commuter rail and VIA Rail to return directly downtown. Freight rail should be banned from the line.

Commuter rail would be a long-term thing, and could use the following lines (mostly abandoned):

OCR/OVR: Bells Corners - Kanata - Carp - Kinburn - Galetta - Arnprior - (Renfrew?) Priority: Medium

Former CPR/OVR: Bells Corners - Kanata - Stittsville - Ashton - Carleton Place - (Almonte?) Priority: Medium

CNR/VIA: Barrhaven - Richmond - Smiths Falls - (Perth?) Priority: Low

Former CPR: Greely - Osgoode - Kemptville - (Merrickville?) Priority: Low

Former O&NY: Ramsayville - Edwards - Russell - Embrun Priority: Low

CNR/VIA: Carlsbad Springs - Vars - Limoges - Casselman Priority: Medium

(Missing link: Orleans - Cumberland - Rockland - (Plantaganet?) - no real corridor along 174/17E) Priority: Medium

QGRY: Gatineau - Masson/Buckingham - Thurso - Plaisance - Papineauville - Montebello Priority: Medium

HCW: Chelsea - Wakefield - (Low?) Priority: Low

Since the Prince of Wales Bridge should be converted to LRT use, any commuter rail from Quebec would have to either terminate in downtown Gatineau, or (ultimate preference) have the Alexandra Bridge re-tracked (reduced to 2 lanes for cars on the side deck), with a tunnel for trains to reach the existing railway corridor.

That could create a situation where all of the Ottawa area's future growth is clustered like spokes on a wheel, since those all follow highway corridors as well.

Priority levels:

High - Currently warranted
Medium - Should be built before 2035 on population, should be solid bus service immediately
Low - Not necessary before 2035 but best to keep planning for

[Aylmer]

Great List!

But I think I would put the Wakefield line under ''Medium''. You would be surprised at the number of people who want it!

[harls]

The Wakefield train would be the most scenic commute in the region. I'd almost move there just for the ride.

How about a train for Aylmer?

[Aylmer]

Originally Posted by harls

The Wakefield train would be the most scenic commute in the region. I'd almost move there just for the ride.

How about a train for Aylmer?

I think Aylmer needs LRT or some form of tram. I find we are too close for a Commuter Train!

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by AylmerOptimist

I think Aylmer needs LRT or some form of tram. I find we are too close for a Commuter Train!

Aylmer should be served by LRT in the ultimate network. There is no real corridor or catchment area that could be used for commuter rail in the northwest direction, although a commuter bus along 148 would be ideal.

This would change the growth plan, since the Ottawa region could grow like spokes on a wheel in the next 50 years and beyond...and any expansion of the urban region should follow those spokes. Conveniently, most of those nodes are where the highways are as well - 174/17E, 417E, 416S, 7W, 417W, 5N, 50E.

Based on population and ease of construction, here is the order in which I think they will be warranted:

-QGRY corridor to Montebello
-Former CPR corridor to Carleton Place
-CNR/VIA corridor to Casselman
-OCR corridor to Arnprior
-Missing link to Rockland
-Former CPR corridor to Kemptville
-HCW corridor to Wakefield
-Former O&NY corridor to Embrun
-CNR/VIA corridor to Smiths Falls

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by harls

The Wakefield train would be the most scenic commute in the region. I'd almost move there just for the ride.

Scenic yes, but it would also be really slow with the design it has now. Some sections will need to be upgraded greatly to improve travel times. The HCW train itself could definitely continue to run weekend excursions on the same track, since service on all lines would be weekday rush hours only. Buses could provide off-peak, reverse peak and weekend service where demand warrants.

[Kitchissippi]

I think a rail/bicycle/pedestrian bridge across the Deschenes rapids would serve Aylmer really well and give it direct access to Lincoln Fields = Diagram in old post. Much of this corridor was reserved for a freeway at one point but almost guaranteed not to happen.

[eternallyme]

Reserving lines for regional commuter rail requires a change in the LRT plan downtown. I recommend using the existing Transitway between Hurdman and Campus to access a revived Union Station, so it needs to be completely separate as far as Hurdman. It could remain a bus-only corridor at least in part until commuter rail construction begins. The diamond connection would require expropriation of Lycee Claudel school, but funding for a new school on the other side of Riverside Drive could be given as part of the project.

It is definitely workable as the corridor is completely grade-separated (except for bus entrances which would be closed). Otherwise, Ottawa Station is as close as commuter trains can get, and no connection to Gatineau is possible, making any thought of commuter rail pointless.

VIA Rail could also return to downtown Ottawa as well.

[harls]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Scenic yes, but it would also be really slow with the design it has now. Some sections will need to be upgraded greatly to improve travel times. The HCW train itself could definitely continue to run weekend excursions on the same track, since service on all lines would be weekday rush hours only. Buses could provide off-peak, reverse peak and weekend service where demand warrants.

I doubt we'll ever see a commuter train to Wakefield that would be as fast as Autoroute 5, especially now with the extension under construction. Who knows though.. maybe once it is completed there will be a boom up there and the road will become congested to the point that a train would sound inviting... but that is years away.

You're right, that track weaves and hugs the river.. it's not intended to be a commuter route. I imagine the steam train folk wouldn't want to mess with it..that is part of the allure.

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I think a rail/bicycle/pedestrian bridge across the Deschenes rapids would serve Aylmer really well and give it direct access to Lincoln Fields = Diagram in old post. Much of this corridor was reserved for a freeway at one point but almost guaranteed not to happen.

Ahh yes the old Autoroute Deschenes plan. Yep, that'll probably never happen.

[Kitchissippi]

By the way, this is getting really off topic for this thread and should be in the "Future" thread. This one is for discussing actual news