GO/VIA Transit

[StEC]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

My understanding is that the tunnel is wide enough to be double tracked, and indeed even was double tracked at one time, but doing so means CP would have to give up double-stacked containers on the corridor due to the arched ceiling shape

It should be much easier to just lower the tracks though no? Go back to double tracks but lower them a foot or two and problem fixed.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by mikevbar1

I agree, GO Centre is beautiful and is deserving of being a central station. However, CP really bottlenecked its use with their tunnel (perhaps by design?) and there isn't really a clear way to fix it without a full rebuild, which is a lot more than Mx or the city wants to cough up. To gain access to the east side is a non-starter unless we reactivate rail on the beachfront, which while a great idea is also too expensive to consider right now.

GO has been underinvested in now for decades. With DB at the helm, the core GO network will be a true S-Bahn, full stop. It can, and will, easily absorb a significant amount of demand both from new park-n-ride commuters and ideally existing transit users. Much of the GTHA is at a density that high-quality buses feeding into strong rail connections will work pretty well, effectively becoming the TTC on steroids. It is going to be transformational, and I always feel a bit jealous that no one has put up capital to extend electrification just a little bit to West Harbour, but I digress. We are positioned at the axiom of the GO line with the most compelling trips outside of Union, so I think we are going to be OK.

CP was gracious but only to a point.

Freight use is what holds up the idea of electrification around the bay into Hamilton. Metrolinx added that extra track to service West Harbour and beyond, but for diesels. Freight use is also the reason why GO has to contend with low platforms (even on the track it now owns). This country's rail priorities place people below containers and tanker cars, and that's not likely to change any time soon unless the passenger carriers do their own thing.

I seem to recall that CN requires Metrolinx to build its own grade separations for junctions that serve West Harbour and GO Centre, if electrification is to happen. $$$$$$$$

[Innsertnamehere]

I live close to the corridor further east and there are probably 3-4 trains a day, it’s not super busy.

[Innsertnamehere]

https://news.ontario.ca/en/advisory/1002368/premier-ford-to-make-announcement

Ford announcing construction start of Confederation GO? Maybe?

[SteelTown]

• Video Link

[Innsertnamehere]

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002369/ontario-begins-construction-on-confederation-go-station

Confederation GO is indeed starting construction - no word on opening date or cost.

[SteelTown]

$50 million to build, construction starts this fall and will take three years to build.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Construction starts Fall 2022, completed 2025 -- costs ~$50 million

[TheHonestMaple]

For all the hate Doug Ford and the conservatives get, they've done more for Hamilton infrastructure than the Liberals ever did. That's for sure.

[matt602]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

For all the hate Doug Ford and the conservatives get, they've done more for Hamilton infrastructure than the Liberals ever did. That's for sure.

I'll reluctantly admit that they've done a lot more for public transit than I thought they would. Probably about the only thing I'd give them credit for.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by matt602

I'll reluctantly admit that they've done a lot more for public transit than I thought they would. Probably about the only thing I'd give them credit for.

Getting the federal government to pay for half of the LRT was impressive. Playing the long game with the cancellation haha.

[Innsertnamehere]

I mean they have been great for infrastructure province wide but in Hamilton, I'd say it's been pretty negative.

Had the Liberals won in 2018, Confederation GO would likely be open already and the LRT would have been under construction. Ford played games with both, and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if it was some game to f**k with Horwath. Notice that Hamilton East-Stoney Creek finally elected a PC MPP and suddenly became a swing riding, and look at that, the long delayed GO station in the riding finally starts construction.

For the province as a whole however, Ford has increased infrastructure spending substantially above the level which the Liberals were operating at and the Toronto subway program is the most ambitious transit program on the continent. He's spending big, real money on transit at levels well above which the Liberals ever did. It just so happened that less of it is going to Hamilton.

And I'm saying that as someone who voted PC this year, partly because I suspected that ensuring Hamilton East-Stoney Creek getting a PC MPP would be good news for the city when the PCs were clearly going to be the winners.

[TheHonestMaple]

There really should also be a Gage GO Station for access to Tim Hortons Field as well. We saw last year with the Grey Cup, soccer game etc, that there is definitely a potential demand for that.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

There really should also be a Gage GO Station for access to Tim Hortons Field as well. We saw last year with the Grey Cup, soccer game etc, that there is definitely a potential demand for that.

This is one of the main reasons the stadium should've been built at West Harbour

[TheRitsman]

I personally think the station should be at Centre Mall. It has lots of room, they could get the developer to pay for the station as part of redevelopment of the property, and it would bring people, jobs and transit access to the north side of Ottawa St.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

There really should also be a Gage GO Station for access to Tim Hortons Field as well. We saw last year with the Grey Cup, soccer game etc, that there is definitely a potential demand for that.

How much usage does THF get throughout the year though? I suspect it's empty the vast majority of time - so building a GO station just for those rare occasions where THF is used doesn't feel like a good usage of money.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Berklon

How much usage does THF get throughout the year though? I suspect it's empty the vast majority of time - so building a GO station just for those rare occasions where THF is used doesn't feel like a good usage of money.

Hence why a Centre on Barton station makes more sense. It's only a 15 minute walk, which is totally reasonable, and Centre on Barton makes more sense for an every day location.

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

And I'm saying that as someone who voted PC this year, partly because I suspected that ensuring Hamilton East-Stoney Creek getting a PC MPP would be good news for the city when the PCs were clearly going to be the winners.

Sidebar, what a 4D Chess move. I would never have thought about doing that.

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Hence why a Centre on Barton station makes more sense. It's only a 15 minute walk, which is totally reasonable, and Centre on Barton makes more sense for an every day location.

That's what I've been saying! Plus it would best serve the existing year-round amenities on Ottawa Street, not to mention the number of festivals they host throughout the year.

[ScreamingViking]

Ottawa St. and Gage are only 800m or so apart. Put the station on the west side of Ottawa, and add a 500m fenced path on the west end of the platform leading to Gage. I'm not sure what kind of room there is along the right of way, but it needn't be a fancy station... just a platform or two with some e-ticket machines would probably suffice.

Demand at THF would be largely limited to the Ticat and Forge FC games, plus the odd concert or event. Not a lot, but growth and change in those neighbourhoods may feed and benefit from GO service.

And the Centre is begging for decent residential...