During Ion testing, obey the signals, says GrandLinq

WATERLOO REGION — As Ion testing is underway, people can expect to be stopped by bells, lights, and lowered cross arms.

Sometimes they are triggered by a train. Sometimes it’s a glitch.

“This really is the phase where we’re getting the bugs out,” said GrandLinq spokesperson Avril Fisken.

Along with testing the trains, crews are making sure all the components of the light rail system are working properly, she said. “That includes signals and bells and crossing arms.”

Generally, testing is being done from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on week days. This testing can lead to “intermittent and pretty brief ” delays for motorists and pedestrians at crossings anywhere along the route from Waterloo to Kitchener. Typically, the delay lasts 1 ½ to three minutes.

“Most of the time, people should expect to have a train there,” Fisken said.

But the train could be out of sight down the track and moving slowly, or it could have triggered the signals and turned back.

Along the stretch of the route shared with freight trains in Waterloo there have been issues over the past week or so. Sometimes, the passing freight train triggers the signals at Erb and Caroline or at Columbia very early in the morning, but they stay on after the train safely passes the crossing.

People are asked to report if they’re stuck at a crossing for an unusually long time or they don’t see a crew or officer that would accompany a train. Call the regional centre at 519-575-4400 and GrandLinq will be contacted.

GrandLinq advises people to not ignore the safety mechanisms because the trains are running, even if the system is not yet operational. “There are five trains on the line and they’re testing the whole line,” Fisken said. And they’re reaching operational speeds of up to 70 km/h.

“They are moving fast.”