Proposed route for Cambridge light rail unveiled
Stage 2 plan tweaked following public input
WATERLOO REGION — The proposed route for the second stage of light rail from Kitchener to Cambridge was released Friday.
“This is a pretty significant day in the process for Stage 2,” Coun. Tom Galloway told the gathering of Waterloo Region staff and councillors.
The preliminary preferred route travels about 17 kilometres from Fairway Road in Kitchener, the final stop of the first stage now under construction, through Preston and ending in downtown Galt.
“Today, we’re proud to have the preferred recommended route revealed and start a further community dialogue,” Galloway said.
Public consultations held at the end of 2015 helped guide the route that’s now proposed as the best option. Three sessions are scheduled in February and March to get the public’s feedback on the route, along with updated alternatives.
“It’s not written in stone. There is still opportunity for it to be adjusted,” said Thomas Schmidt, commissioner of transportation and environmental services.
The second stage will connect with the first, leaving Fairview Park mall, travelling down River Road and then turning onto King Street in the proposed route. When it reaches Cambridge, the line turns onto Eagle Street and then takes a jog over to Hespeler Road to avoid the Pinebush Road intersection. From there, an existing rail corridor alongside Norfolk Avenue would bring it around to Ainslie Street, finally heading toward the bus terminal.
Regional Chair Ken Seiling said the preferred route incorporates public input on earlier proposals.
“I think it speaks to a lot of the concerns that were raised,” he said.
“Personally, I think it’s a much better routing,” Seiling said.
Key issues raised by the public at the first consultations included a stop in Preston, integration with future GO stations, and avoiding several busy intersections, including the Delta and the Eagle Pinebush-Hespeler intersection.
The final stop is not entirely worked out yet.
“It’s going to go downtown,” said Paula Sawicki, manager of strategic transportation planning. “But how we do that and what it looks like, that’s that we’re working on now.”
That may not be at the Ainslie Street Terminal, depending on how that facility fits into larger plans. Grand River Transit bus routes will be changed to better fit with light rail, possibly moving away from a hub to more of a grid system. Also being considered is a multimodal transit hub for light rail, bus and Go trains, similar to what is being built in Kitchener at King and Victoria streets.
“At this point of time, members of council should keep an open mind,” Galloway said of the proposed route. “We want to hear from the public on what they think of this route.”
The light rail line in Cambridge, as in Kitchener and Waterloo, is not simply about providing transit but encouraging development, he said. The ideal route should go through areas that can intensify.
“The more important thing is what route is going to incent infill development the most,” Galloway said.
The final route plan is expected to go to council for consideration in the fall, and then the formal part of the environmental assessment will start. The region can’t apply for provincial or federal funding until that is done and approved by the province.
Construction on the first phase of light rail from Waterloo to Kitchener is expected to be complete this year, and then a launch planned for early 2018.
Cambridge currently has express buses, launched in fall 2015, which will be replaced by light rail. When the Cambridge section will be built is unknown.
More public consultations on the route are planned for the fall. There’s currently an online survey at www.stage2ion.ca, with comments accepted until March 17.
Sawicki said there has been a lot of public interest in this Cambridge section of Ion, and she encourages people to come out to the consultation sessions to share their views.
“People are paying attention, I think because Stage 1 is so tangible,” she said.
Upcoming public consultation sessions:
Thursday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m., Lions Arena (Hall), 20 Rittenhouse Rd, Kitchener
Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., Kin Club of Cambridge, 1400 Hamilton St., Cambridge
Wednesday, March 1, from 2 to 8 p.m., Newfoundland Club, 1500 Dunbar Rd., Cambridge.