Region residents weigh in on proposed Ion LRT Stage 2 routes
The results of the first two public consultation meetings on Stage 2 of the Ion light rail transit project are in, and the future of the proposed Sportsworld stop is one of the top concerns.
The second stage of the LRT would replace the bus rapid transit line that connects Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener and Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge with 17 kilometres of track. However, several other options through Cambridge are still being considered.
More than 120 people attended the public consultations, and public feedback was also sent by email to the Region of Waterloo.
A consultant's report by engineering firm WPS Parsons Brickerhoff included a high-level summary of the most common responses.
1. What are your comments and opinions re: the LRT route alternatives and stop locations?
- Include a stop at Preston.
- Avoid the Sportsworld stop and instead focus on the Preston stop.
- Integrate Sportsworld with GO/Greyhound/MTO carpool lot.
- Avoid Eagle/Pinebush/Hespeler intersection.
- Include a route to the Freeport Hospital.
2. Are there any other environmental, land use, transportation, or technical factors that the project team should consider when evaluating the route alternatives?
- Respect the heritage of downtown Galt core area.
- Have tracks at the median, not curb on Hespeler Rd.
- Concerns about existing development on Water St.
- Minimize conflicts with CP and expensive grade separations.
- Minimize interference with wetlands and rivers.
- Serve employment lands and the airport.
- Integrate with future GO stations.
- Integrate Sportsworld.
3. Do you have any other comments or suggestions?
- South Cambridge Option 1 is good because it avoids the Delta, Water and Ainslie Streets.
- Consider adding stops at the following locations to supplement those already shown:
- Between Fairview and Maple Grove.
- Between Fountain Street and Toyota Plant.
- At Eagle St., between King St. and Hespeler Rd.
- On Hespeler Rd./Sheldon Drive.
- On Water St./Parkhill Rd.
- Important to keep the Preston stop
The full detailed report can be read here. Public consultations will continue with another opportunity scheduled for September 2016.