No respect from GrandLinq

Re: New LRT tracks in the way for Vanier walkers — Jan. 30

It was good of GrandLinq to make sure that the two malls, uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener were accessible at all times during LRT construction and that they did not close parallel streets. Crossings have been built at the University of Waterloo for students to cross the LRT. Why was the south of Kitchener not given the same courtesy?

GrandLinq closed Ottawa Street at Charles Street, Ottawa at Courtland Avenue and Ottawa at Mill Street all at the same time. As well, they closed Hayward Avenue at Courtland (for two years) and Block Line Road at Courtland. So much for not closing parallel streets.

Before the construction, we would drive north on Courtland Avenue, turn left on Mill and turn left onto Ottawa at the advanced green light. Now our streets have reopened and we find that you can’t make a left turn from Mill onto Ottawa anymore; you can only turn right (which takes you back to Courtland). There are no signs on Courtland or Mill to warn motorists about the no left turn onto Ottawa from Mill. Now you have to take Courtland along to Ottawa to make a left onto Ottawa.

GrandLinq then announced we can expect long closures at Block Line and Courtland when trains are going through, and there will be no pedestrian crossing along the Vanier Drive-Traynor Avenue corridor.

No other area along the LRT route has received such little respect and consideration than we have from GrandLinq, so I’m not surprised that the residents of Vanier-Traynor are having a hard time getting a crossing. Tony Kerr Kitchener