Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service 1.0

[Innsertnamehere]

or:

Realignment around Guelph on a new build corridor, avoiding those expensive sections. The urban sections through the GTA are already being rebuilt to 90mph standards as part of the Georgetown South project and would remain at that, That is why the Kitchener - Toronto trip time is 45 minutes (it takes roughly ~25 minutes of that to clear the 35km long urban 90mph area, plus the ~20 minutes at 300km/h to clear the remaining 65km to Kitchener).

The corridor would be almost completely new build for the areas between Brampton and Kitchener and Kitchener and London, which given the flat rather featureless terrain (ESPECIALLY from Kitchener to London), is cheap. Adding bridges over the rail corridor for the occasional concession road is no big deal, they do it all the time for freeways at costs of roughly $7 million per km. (that is the approximate cost of a new build 4 lane interurban highway with the occasional interchange)

Most HSR projects incur their major costs dealing with urban areas, which this project wouldn't have to do as the Georgetown south project is doing that already. Nevermind the fact that the electrification for that portion would come from the GO budget.

The reason no info was released is that government ministries essentially shut down during elections and are not allowed to release new reports as they could end up favouring the incumbents. in the end its preliminary anyway, a detailed analysis still needs to be performed but preliminary reports are showing that it is quite feasible.

Proposed private operation interurban rail lines are popping up all around North America as we speak as well. Florida is getting a 100% privately owned, paid for, and operated rail service (albeit not HSR), and there have been several other cases where private companies have approached governments looking for assistance in setting up an HSR rail service, although none have gone through. (Texas for example) Then there are of course the dozens of privately run HSR lines around the world.

[rocketphish]

Cemetery find ups city budget

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun
First posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 06:14 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 06:24 PM EDT

Additional archeological studies cost the city $1.8 million when an old graveyard turned up on Queen St. last year during LRT-related work.

The additional cost is contained in a report to the finance and economic development committee on budget adjustments for various capital projects.

The remains of the Barracks Hill Cemetery were uncovered last fall as construction crews replaced pre-Confederation watermains.

Work paused while archeologists investigated the graveyard, which is believed to have been used to bury workers who died while building the Rideau Canal.

The watermain replacement was being done as part of the city's Ottawa On The Move Program, but it's work that needed to be done ahead of the LRT project. The rail tunnel is being dug under Queen St.

Another noteworthy budget adjustment is related to the O-Train service expansion. The city is rerouting a multi-use path crossing at the tracks because train service is increasing later this year, according to the report. That change was worth an additional $2 million. Last week the transit commission signed off on an extra $2.3 million for the train expansion, which had an original budget of $59 million.

In yet another rail-related budget adjustment, the city says it needed an extra $400,000 to build a new multi-use path to separate cyclists and pedestrians from road traffic during the ongoing LRT work around Belfast Rd.

The money for all the budget adujstments is coming from roughly $27 million in savings from other capital projects. The remainder is put into reserves or used to reduce debt requirements.

The finance committee will be asked to approve the report next Tuesday.

[email protected]
Twitter: @JonathanWilling

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/05/27/cemetery-find-ups-city-budget

[rocketphish]

Rush hour demonstration slows traffic at Preston and Albert

Marie-Danielle Smith, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 28, 2014, Last Updated: May 28, 2014 7:52 AM EDT

A demonstration against the proposed redirection of Transitway buses to Scott Street and Albert Street during upcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction was slowing traffic in downtown Ottawa Wednesday morning.

The protest, planned for 7:30-8 a.m., had several dozen protestors holding signs and walking back and forth across the intersection at Albert Street and Preston Street.

According to the protestors’ Facebook page, this continuous street-crossing is designed to simulate the traffic created by 240 people crossing in a 15 minute period. This is the expected volume of people that will cross to catch their buses to Quebec once the Transitway is moved to Albert Street.

Organizers were passing out dust masks for protestors to wear. One of residents’ concerns is increased exhaust worsening air quality in the neighbourhood.

The detour is expected to begin in 2016. The city is expected to widen Albert and Scott Streets before then to mitigate the extra traffic caused by Transitway bus routes.

[email protected]

twitter.com/mariedanielles

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...tion-slows-traffic-at-preston-and-albert

[rocketphish]

I just noticed that the Scott/Albert Street Bus Detour project has it's own section on the Ottawa Light Rail project page:

http://www.confederationline.ca/en/the-build/scottalbert-bus-detour/overview/

There are notices, timelines and maps, etc.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Organizers were passing out dust masks for protestors to wear. One of residents’ concerns is increased exhaust worsening air quality in the neighbourhood.

Where do they think exhaust from the existing Transitway, just a few metres away, goes now?

[BenTheGreat97]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Rush hour demonstration slows traffic at Preston and Albert

Marie-Danielle Smith, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 28, 2014, Last Updated: May 28, 2014 7:52 AM EDT

A demonstration against the proposed redirection of Transitway buses to Scott Street and Albert Street during upcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction was slowing traffic in downtown Ottawa Wednesday morning.

The protest, planned for 7:30-8 a.m., had several dozen protestors holding signs and walking back and forth across the intersection at Albert Street and Preston Street.

According to the protestors’ Facebook page, this continuous street-crossing is designed to simulate the traffic created by 240 people crossing in a 15 minute period. This is the expected volume of people that will cross to catch their buses to Quebec once the Transitway is moved to Albert Street.

Organizers were passing out dust masks for protestors to wear. One of residents’ concerns is increased exhaust worsening air quality in the neighbourhood.

The detour is expected to begin in 2016. The city is expected to widen Albert and Scott Streets before then to mitigate the extra traffic caused by Transitway bus routes.

[email protected]

twitter.com/mariedanielles

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...tion-slows-traffic-at-preston-and-albert

I am tired of the dumbass NIMBYs. Ship them all to Antarctica and bomb them out of existence.

[waterloowarrior]

160 Lyon to become a surface parking lot to replace parking lost at 300 Queen


interesting justification from an environmental perspective

http://app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=318146

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Appropriately managed short-term parking promotes long-term sustainability and
reduces our environmental footprint by maintaining and improving air quality by limiting
traffic congestion and green house gas emissions attributed to drivers searching for
parking. Shared short-term public parking is also more land-efficient than scattered
private use-specific parking facilities. Where paid parking is introduced, infrastructure is
generally solar powered.

[J.OT13]

I don't get it. It's already a parking lot.

[IntoTheCore]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't get it. It's already a parking lot.

I might be wrong, but it looks like they're changing it from a private paid lot to a City lot.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't get it. It's already a parking lot.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

interesting justification from an environmental perspective

http://app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=318146

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Appropriately managed short-term parking promotes long-term sustainability and
reduces our environmental footprint by maintaining and improving air quality by limiting
traffic congestion and green house gas emissions attributed to drivers searching for
parking. Shared short-term public parking is also more land-efficient than scattered
private use-specific parking facilities. Where paid parking is introduced, infrastructure is
generally solar powered.

Great... they'll be able to cut & paste this for every parking project going forward.

But seriously, downtown is the last place we should be providing surface parking lots. Wouldn't it be more efficient use of land if a building is put there with underground parking?

[ortelius]

I read this on the project webpage:
East Portal (Crocodile Rouge)
Installation of tunnel support continues as the roadheader progresses north to Laurier Street.
Twenty-four hour tunneling advances in the full tunnel face

What does it mean in regards to what happened earlier this year?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ortelius

I read this on the project webpage:
East Portal (Crocodile Rouge)
Installation of tunnel support continues as the roadheader progresses north to Laurier Street.
Twenty-four hour tunneling advances in the full tunnel face

What does it mean in regards to what happened earlier this year?

Problem solved, full speed ahead.

[1overcosc]

With regards to the parking lot situation, here's the story:

160 Lyon was a private parking lot. It was expropriated by the city a few years ago as it was the intended location of the street entrance to Lyon (then called Downtown West) station back when the city was using the 'cross-country' super-deep tunnel alignment. When the Queen alignment was adopted instead, that expropriation was no longer necessary. The city handed it over to RTG to use as a staging area. But now RTG wants 300 Queen instead as its a better located site. Basically it's just a land swap between RTG and the City.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

With regards to the parking lot situation, here's the story:

160 Lyon was a private parking lot. It was expropriated by the city a few years ago as it was the intended location of the street entrance to Lyon (then called Downtown West) station back when the city was using the 'cross-country' super-deep tunnel alignment. When the Queen alignment was adopted instead, that expropriation was no longer necessary. The city handed it over to RTG to use as a staging area. But now RTG wants 300 Queen instead as its a better located site. Basically it's just a land swap between RTG and the City.

I thought Brookfield still owned 300 Queen and were only giving the City permission to use it for a staging area and central shaft (in return for maybe a free direct connection to Lyon station).

[waterloowarrior]

Yes, sorry it's more like it is going back to being a parking lot (managed by the city now).

Kind of a rip-off for the people who had land expropriated for LRT purposes to have it now being used as a parking lot again. Wonder if the city will flip it to Brocollini once LRT construction is finished.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Yes, sorry it's more like it is going back to being a parking lot (managed by the city now).

Kind of a rip-off for the people who had land expropriated for LRT purposes to have it now being used as a parking lot again. Wonder if the city will flip it to Brocollini once LRT construction is finished.

Either that or make a deal with them to include a library in the development. Although that might be a little to logical for City planners.

[rocketphish]

Construction Summary
Week of May 25



Central Segment

Tunnel

West Portal (Jawbreaker)

• The roadheader continues excavating the full face of the Lyon Station Cavern in drifts[i], under Queen Street and Lyon Street.
• Mining progresses in drifts.
• Drilling of the support umbrella and shotcreting continues.

Central Shaft (Chewrocka)

Installation of the second umbrella of Parliament Station cavern was completed. The roadheader continues excavating the pillar section under the umbrella at the station cavern, which will be followed by a return to the running tunnel to complete the bench[ii]. Once the bench is mined, the mud slab will be poured. These activities will continue for the coming weeks.

Tunneling in the central shaft
Huge photo here: .


East Portal (Crocodile Rouge)

• Installation of tunnel support continues as the roadheader progresses north to Laurier Street.
• Twenty-four hour tunneling advances in the full tunnel face.

For weekly updates on tunnel excavation progress please visit the Roadheader page.

East Segment

Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF)

Construction activities ramp up at the MSF as long-term closure of Belfast Road south of Tremblay to Trainyards Drive continues.

• Utilities and storm sewer work continues.
• Excavation progresses on the MSF building foundation.
• Mobilization of equipment, installation of trailers, fencing, decommissioning of utilities and stripping of asphalt progresses.

Building foundation work progresses at the MSF
Huge photo here:.


Civic Works

Highway 417 Roadwork, Widening and Structure Rehabilitation

Roadworks

• Boring and sewer work advances on the north and south side of the highway.
• From St. Laurent Boulevard to Vanier Parkway, drilling of piles, pouring and panel work progresses for the sound wall footings along the south side of the highway. On the north side grading continues and drilling for the noise wall continues.
• Roadway construction continues and includes excavation, grading, casting of concrete barrier walls and paving along the north and south sides of Highway 417 from St. Laurent Boulevard to Nicholas Street.
• Installation of high mast light poles continues.

Signage

• The three message signs have been installed; final construction and electrical works to power the signs is ongoing.

Trenching for Advanced Traffic Management Signage


Structures

• Widening, reconstruction and rehabilitation of various bridge structures along the highway continues to progress.

Hurdman Bridge

• Curing of the new deck occurs on the north side of the structure.
• Placing concrete on the barrier wall proceeds as rehabilitation advances.
• Installation of rebar and rails and grading continue on the south side deck.

Concrete curing at the north side of the Hurdman Bridge


St. Laurent Overpass

• Widening and rehabilitation on the south side of the structure progresses and involves backfilling at the abutment and formwork.
• Shoulder and on-ramp reconstruction is ongoing for the next week at the northeast and southwest on-ramps and includes excavation and grading.

South barrier wall of St. Laurent Boulevard Overpass


Vanier Parkway Overpass– work advances in preparation of the rapid bridge replacement scheduled for fall 2014.

• Work progresses in the staging area as girder installation continues. Installation and forming[iii] of the new deck is scheduled in the next few weeks.
• Overnight roadwork continues on the northwest on-ramp.
• Northeast on-ramp reconstruction continues and includes excavation and pouring of new concrete barrier wall.
• Forming of parapet walls[iv], pouring concrete curing occurs on the existing structure this week.

Girder installation in the staging area for the Vanier Parkway new bridge structure


Belfast Road Underpass– work advances in preparation for conventional demolition of the existing structure and reconstruction of the new bridge scheduled for fall 2014.

• Concrete curing as well as forming and pouring of the parapet walls continue on the existing structure.
• Piling continues for the retaining wall as temporary rehabilitation work advances on the existing structure.
• Variable message signs indicating upcoming closure on Belfast Road, north of Tremblay Road to Coventry Road, are onsite and powered on with advance notification of closure beginning June 2, 2014.

Belfast Bridge form work


Lees Avenue Underpass – work visibly progresses in the staging area in preparation of the rapid bridge replacement.

• Construction of the new bridge components is ongoing in the staging area, and involves rebar installation on the new deck.
• Rebar installation continues on the temporary footings for the existing structure.
• Preparatory work advances for the removal of existing structure by rapid removal scheduled for June 21 and 22, 2014.

Coventry Pedestrian Footbridge– pier and abutment work progresses in preparation of the superstructure installation scheduled for mid June.

• Extension of the south abutment footing continues this week, and includes forming as well as pouring of south side abutment walls.

Coventry Pedestrian footbridge pier construction continues


Stay on-track with us and follow our progress by visiting the sections related to each area of construction at the top of this webpage.

[i] Drifts refer to the sections of the wider station cavern that are excavated in sequence as per diagram below.
[ii] Bench refers to the rock at the bottom of the ramp.
[iii] Formwork refers to a mold in which concrete is poured.
[iv] Parapet wall refers to a protective barrier on the side of a bridge

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

South barrier wall of St. Laurent Boulevard Overpass

They're using glass for pedestrian railings? Looks nice, it must mean they'll no longer be using ugly plywood in the winter to prevent snow and slush from the overpass from dropping onto the highway.

[McC]

That'll be weird.