Overnight work and LRT testing may slow down K-W commute

Drivers and cyclists may experience traffic delays in parts of Kitchener-Waterloo as Grandlinq gets ready to road test LRT vehicles in Waterloo and crews start overnight work in Kitchener, the transit operator warns.

Crews will be working along the LRT track in several areas of Kitchener to complete "minor adjustments."

Grandlinq has mailed notices to Kitchener residents living in construction areas, as some nighttime noise is expected. Work will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Waterloo test track

In Waterloo, crews are getting ready to start testing the LRT vehicles.

In a release, Grandlinq said testing will take place on the tracks between Conestoga Mall and the Erb Street-Caroline Street intersection in Uptown Waterloo. That section of the track has been designated for towing and self-powered transit vehicle testing.

There will not be a regular testing schedule and LRT vehicles will be moving slower than their normal operation speed, which may cause traffic delays, Grandlinq said.

"In the early stages of testing, there may occasionally be unexpected signal changes and unusual signal sequencing at intersections; flaggers and paid duty officers may assist in certain areas," Grandlinq said.

Train Your Brain

In anticipation of LRT vehicle testing, drivers, cyclists and pedestrian will notice new signage around the LRT test track. 

Grandlinq's Train Your Brain Campaign is asking drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to be more alert as overhead wires are live and new signage going up.