Rapid Transit

[matt602]

With all this discussion about integrated regional transit and fare structures, especially across Metrolinx operated rapid transit lines, I'm getting worried that our LRT will see a fare structure which is significantly higher than the HSR's. Obviously such a system would be a gigantic flop in Hamilton, given the large chunk of ridership that comes from those in the lowest income brackets.

[thistleclub]

"B-Line LRT - McMaster University to the Queenston Traffic Circle"

"A-Line Connection to West Harbour GO Station"

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Help me out a little...

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

^Help me out a little...

No mode specified for A-Line.

[SteelTown]

LRT design

http://hamilton.siretechnologies.com...6102824578.PDF

[SteelTown]

McMaster welcomes transformative LRT plan

http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article...tive-lrt-plan/

Plans are right on track to make your trip to campus faster and easier.

The City and Metrolinx have unveiled the draft design of Hamilton’s new Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, and there’s a prominent and important role for McMaster. The line, to be operational in 2024, will run along Main and King Streets, originating with a stop near Main and Cootes in front of the McMaster campus.

Trains will travel along a dedicated track positioned in the centre of the road. At McMaster, riders will be able to access campus from the LRT stop, via a safe and convenient gateway. In addition, the University is working with the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), Metrolinx and the City on a new transit terminal and hub at the corner of Main and Cootes, so riders can easily and safely connect to HSR and Go buses on campus.

“This is an exciting and important investment in Hamilton,” says Roger Couldrey, Vice-President Administration. “The University has worked closely with the City and Metrolinx to ensure the design meets the needs of McMaster’s students, faculty and staff, while respecting the unique requirements of our campus community.”

Mitigating any impacts on sensitive research labs and equipment was of primary concern for the University during the design phase. Metrolinx and the City will conduct further studies to confirm the impacts are minimized.

[NortheastWind]

Anyone know what the plan is for the "Higher Order Pedestrian Corridor", as seen on the Mertolinx map? Where is it to be located and is this part of the LRT budget? It looks like it's on McNab.

Never mind the above question. Information is on a Raise the Hammer post.

[thistleclub]

Back-of-napkin spans…

B-Line
750m from Queenston Traffic Circle to Kenilworth
850m from Kenilworth to Ottawa
1200m from Ottawa to Scott Park
650m from Scott Park to Sherman
850m from Sherman to Wentworth
650m from Wentworth to Victoria
750m from Victoria to Catharine
350m from Catharine to James
800m from James to Queen
800m from Queen to Dundurn
1400m from Dundurn to Longwood
1700m from Longwood to McMaster

A-Line
450m from King to Cannon
550m from Cannon to West Harbour GO
350m from West Harbour GO to Ferrie
550m from Ferrie to Guise

[Berklon]

Without going back and reading, does anyone know how long after it's completed with Phase II (Queenston traffic circle to Eastgate) will start/complete?

It's been discussed a number of times I'm sure, but starting/stopping at the traffic circle is very random and illogical location - even if it's temporary. It will really turn off a lot of people to LRT.

[king10]

Originally Posted by Berklon

Without going back and reading, does anyone know how long after it's completed with Phase II (Queenston traffic circle to Eastgate) will start/complete?

It's been discussed a number of times I'm sure, but starting/stopping at the traffic circle is very random and illogical location - even if it's temporary. It will really turn off a lot of people to LRT.

when someone comes up with another $500 million to pay for it

so could be never.

I agree stopping at the traffic circle sucks. connecting it to eastgate and then north to the new confederation GO station would be so much better

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by king10

when someone comes up with another $500 million to pay for it

so could be never.

500 mill?

The length of that stretch looks to be roughly one-fourth the overall length of the line. Wouldn't that make that whole line cost 2 billion?

[king10]

Originally Posted by Berklon

500 mill?

The length of that stretch looks to be roughly one-fourth the overall length of the line. Wouldn't that make that whole line cost 2 billion?

The whole line may or may not cost $1 billion. Thats just what the province is giving us. If the entire east west portion costs $ 1 billion, the james street spur isnt getting paid for by the province.

The $1 billion is just the amount given. They dont know how far that will go. Not to mention who is going to be paying for underground utility enhancements and movements as a result of the LRT line both directly under the tracks and in the vicinity. Once final costs and contracts are awarded, the final cost could be well over $1 billion for just the east west portion and not even the james spur.

That $500 mill was just a number thrown out. Regardless the eastgate extension isnt getting built unless someone comes up with significant funds in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

[thistleclub]

Some route visualizations in the tweetstream from today's Hamilton LRT Sub-Committee meeting. Agenda here.

[davidcappi]

[thistleclub]

Additional detail in the LRT Alignment Project Update.

[thistleclub]

250 Hamilton properties may be altered or bought along LRT route
(Hamilton Spectator, Matthew van Dongen, May 2 2016)

Metrolinx will need to buy or expropriate parts of an estimated 250 properties along a planned new $1-billion LRT line.

The majority of those potential property acquisitions are considered minor, like shaving off the corner of a lot or slicing off a few feet of frontage. But 60 or 70 could see a "larger impact," up to knocking down an entire building, said Hamilton LRT point person Paul Johnston.

That number is not final, he warned, because detailed engineering on the route will determine the ultimate need for property purchases along the route. "Our needs will continue to change."


Read it in full here.

[thistleclub]

Hamilton businesses brace for LRT construction pain
(Hamilton Spectator, Matthew Van Dongen, May 2 2016)

Denninger's signature downtown Hamilton store stands to take a hit when construction of the city's LRT line tears up the International Village, its CEO says.

"We have to weather the storm," Mary Aduckiewicz said Monday at the 284 King St. E. location, a mainstay since 1954.

Construction of the $1-billion LRT line is expected to last years, starting in 2019 and aiming for operation in 2024.

[ 250 Hamilton properties may be altered or bought along LRT route ]

"We know it's going to impact us here," Aduckiewicz said.

But many details of the plan are still fuzzy, such as how construction will be staged, she added. "There's a lot of uncertainty."

Rapid transit boosters say the 11-kilometre route will generate economic activity by making it easier for people to get around and attracting investment to stations.

But Denninger's is just one of several businesses along the route dreading what the massive project will do to their bottom lines.

"They are talking about years of construction. Years. How many (businesses) do you think can survive that? People will go out of business," said Louie Petrou, who operates Leathers at 157 King St. E.

Petrou's shop is on the edge of the International Village, a "pinch point" where route planners are trying to accommodate cars and light rail into an already narrow corridor.

Last week, the city unveiled the latest design plans for the 13-stop line, which will run from McMaster to the Queenston traffic circle.

Susie Braithwaite, head of International Village BIA, said business owners expected a payoff in the form of an LRT stop in return for years of expected construction, closed side streets and lost on-street parking.

Right now, the closest downtown stops are Victoria and Catharine streets.

"Years of pain and anguish for what? ... A plan that doesn't even put us on the map."

She noted earlier plans called for a stop at Walnut Street and businesses would like that, or a site nearby, put back on the table.


Read it in full here.

[thmx]

• Video Link

[ScreamingViking]

Nice conceptual pics.

I agree with Braithwaite -- the stop between James and Victoria should be farther east at Walnut or Ferguson. James and Catharine are less than 350m apart. They may have chosen a stop at Catharine because the street widens and it's easier to fit one there, but functionally it would make more sense to position it closer to the middle of the International Village.

I also think that the top of the list for cost cutting, if it becomes necessary, should be the bridge over the 403. Bridges are expensive. There are other route options there that are likely cheaper. And if the numbers dictate it, I'd rather see the line go right to the waterfront if savings on the bridge balance that off.

[BriniaSona]

Canada takes far too long to approve and build crap. This would happen within a year in any east-asian city.