Hamilton's B-Line LRT construction - Page 2

Innsertnamehere · #21 Posted **Sep 27, 2021, 3:00 AM**

They haven’t procured the trains yet so we don’t know what trains it will be, though they will likely be similar.

bigguy1231 · #22 Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 2:21 PM**

Here's more about the disaster in Ottawa.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8239554/o...Os5HLZh7PUy9zk

TheHonestMaple · #23 Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 2:48 PM**

Fortunately the LRT situation in Ottawa is completely unrelated to anything Metrolinx. Different trains, different engineering firms, etc.

bigguy1231 · #24 Posted **Oct 4, 2021, 12:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Fortunately the LRT situation in Ottawa is completely unrelated to anything Metrolinx. Different trains, different engineering firms, etc.

We will see.

ScreamingViking · #25 Posted **Oct 4, 2021, 12:55 AM**

FUD is still in full swing. Should really get rolling once the project's contracts go to tender, and especially after they're awarded.

Beedok · #26 Posted **Oct 4, 2021, 12:36 PM**

Still annoyed that not only did Ottawa use a terrible design for the trains they bought, but the fact they replaced existing fully grade separated (bus) rapid transit with it, which, outside of downtown at rush hour, generally made the system more annoying to use even when it’s working due to the forced transfers of the LRT only covering part of the BRT, is just… depressing. Especially when construction on the LRT meant shutting down large chunks of the BRT network, forcing buses onto general traffic roads.

Hamilton, thankfully, doesn’t have that issue.

Innsertnamehere · #27 Posted **Oct 4, 2021, 12:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

Still annoyed that not only did Ottawa use a terrible design for the trains they bought, but the fact they replaced existing fully grade separated (bus) rapid transit with it, which, outside of downtown at rush hour, generally made the system more annoying to use even when it’s working due to the forced transfers of the LRT only covering part of the BRT, is just… depressing. Especially when construction on the LRT meant shutting down large chunks of the BRT network, forcing buses onto general traffic roads.

Hamilton, thankfully, doesn’t have that issue.

The forced transfers is more of a temporary condition until the second phase opens in a few years. The system is still too small for Ottawa as it stands, once the second phase opens the transfers will be less annoying.

The biggest oddity with the Ottawa system is that they used light rail vehicles at all, given that it's really a full metro system with 100% grade seperation.

TheRitsman · #28 Posted **Oct 4, 2021, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

The forced transfers is more of a temporary condition until the second phase opens in a few years. The system is still too small for Ottawa as it stands, once the second phase opens the transfers will be less annoying.

The biggest oddity with the Ottawa system is that they used light rail vehicles at all, given that it's really a full metro system with 100% grade seperation.

Its not too odd, LRT is cheaper than heavy metro, the larger oddity is that they didn't use high floor LRVs as they are cheaper, and have more space, and could still have level boarding since there are no street based stations.

RM Transit goes over this well: https://youtu.be/pI6oi8x7HYc

I like low floor because they look better in my opinion, but high floor has a lot of advantages, especially in a grade separated system.

Beedok · #29 Posted **Oct 5, 2021, 12:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

The forced transfers is more of a temporary condition until the second phase opens in a few years. The system is still too small for Ottawa as it stands, once the second phase opens the transfers will be less annoying.

The biggest oddity with the Ottawa system is that they used light rail vehicles at all, given that it's really a full metro system with 100% grade seperation.

Fiver or six years of forced transfers after 3-4 years of terrible service through the core due to construction isn’t good. But worse is the fact that there are a number of forced transfers that aren’t be addressed, or are even being added. There used to be a single express bus from the airport to downtown. With the rail link they’re building, there will be two transfers to get downtown, with two of three trains you have to take being on 15 minute frequencies, which is worse than the bus often was. Plus the South West Transitway and connection to Barhaven is staying as a forced transfer (where there used to be a direct rapid transit connection) for the foreseeable future.

Innsertnamehere · #30 Posted **Oct 5, 2021, 1:26 PM**

A bus to rail transfer really isn't that bad, and is a global norm. The Airport connection is less than ideal though, yea.

It's only Ottawa that complains about a bus transfer because their previous system is so used to being direct buses at all times. It's really not a big deal as long as the train is frequent. which for Barrhaven, it is.

It's annoying today because those passengers transfer at Tunney's Pasture and have to take the LRT only a handful of stops before getting off, but when the transfer involves a longer distance, it really isn't anything annoying. Barrhaven will eventually get the LRT anyway, Ottawa has already completed the EA for the extension.

Ottawa has some unfortunate growing pains related to the LRT, especially right now, but otherwise the system is generally well designed (Airport connection notwithstanding). They probably should have gone with ICTS tech or some other form of light metro train though instead of LRVs.

Innsertnamehere · #31 Posted **Oct 5, 2021, 1:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Its not too odd, LRT is cheaper than heavy metro, the larger oddity is that they didn't use high floor LRVs as they are cheaper, and have more space, and could still have level boarding since there are no street based stations.

RM Transit goes over this well: https://youtu.be/pI6oi8x7HYc

I like low floor because they look better in my opinion, but high floor has a lot of advantages, especially in a grade separated system.

LRT is cheaper than heavy metro when it's not grade separated, as eliminating grade separations saves money. The way Ottawa has built it's network it would have cost basically the same, if not actually less, to use a light metro technology.

They used LRVs as at the time they weren't sure if the future outer sections of the LRT would be at grade or not. That didn't end up happening, instead opting for a 100% grade separated system, which makes the LRVs pointless.

The LRVs used in Ottawa look odd in consists as they aren't really designed to be tied together in multiple-car trains. It's the same thing in Toronto with the Eglinton LRT using 3-car consists. There it actually makes sense though as there is a significant surface running section.

SteelTown · #32 Posted **Oct 12, 2021, 4:18 PM**

The following properties are scheduled to be demolished as of Tuesday (Oct. 12):

85 Paisley Ave South
918 Main St West
930 Main St West
160 Bond St South
940 Main St West
670-674 King St East
676-680 King St East
692 King St East
696 King St East
787-789 King St East
924 King St East
1030 King St East
1407 Main St East

Demolition work will begin across the corridor as early as November, pending permit approvals, with utility disconnections beginning this week.

https://www.insauga.com/these-hamilt...cPKxqyGptcJiMk

TheHonestMaple · #33 Posted **Oct 28, 2021, 2:22 AM**

The Metrolinx Community Engagement crew was on King William apparently this afternoon.

Credit: https://twitter.com/JoeyColeman/stat...12071710859265

TheRitsman · #34 Posted **Oct 28, 2021, 2:29 AM**

Glad to see an acquaintance still helping then out at the table. Haven't spoken to her in a while, I'm going to say hi and see if I can get any info too

TheHonestMaple · #35 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 3:48 PM**

I haven't really heard anything about the LRT since October. Does anyone know if there has been any movement on contracts etc?

TheRitsman · #36 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 5:01 PM**

From my understanding they are hoping to have the RFP started by next spring is what I recall hearing. Early works will start fall 2022 and main construction will start 2023. I'm excited for the RFP process because by the end of that we'll likely have full engineering docs and new renders (That will not contain Blockbuster in the background).

bigguy1231 · #37 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

From my understanding they are hoping to have the RFP started by next spring is what I recall hearing. Early works will start fall 2022 and main construction will start 2023. I'm excited for the RFP process because by the end of that we'll likely have full engineering docs and new renders (That will not contain Blockbuster in the background).

About the same time the Conservatives get re elected and cancel it once again.

TheHonestMaple · #38 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 6:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

About the same time the Conservatives get re elected and cancel it once again.

Pretty sure it cannot be cancelled this time. There is a legally binding contract in place now, which was not the case before. Neither party can drop out at this point. It's happening.

bigguy1231 · #39 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Pretty sure it cannot be cancelled this time. There is a legally binding contract in place now, which was not the case before. Neither party can drop out at this point. It's happening.

They are the provincial government they can do whatever they want. They have absolute control over municipalities in this province. Just ask Toronto about their lost fight at the Supreme Court over their city council.

TheHonestMaple · #40 Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 7:11 PM**

The Ontario conservative government are the ones who are putting up the money (together with the federal liberals). If the Ford gov is re-elected, why would they decide to pull the funding?

And there is a legally binding contract in place between Metrolinx, the federal gov, the provincial gov and the city of Hamilton. It was signed. It has to go forward at this point, otherwise... lawsuits.

The issue with the hugely bloated Toronto city council is a completely different issue and really cannot be compared to a legally binding contract to build an LRT.