Road rules change as Ion LRT construction nears completion
Biggest learning curve will be when LRT trains become part of regular traffic
Now that most of the rail system is in place for the upcoming LRT, drivers are going to have to get used to new traffic rules in Waterloo region.
"There are streets that have been divided by tracks, some streets that can no longer be crossed like King Street and Charles Street as a couple of examples," said Tom Galloway, chair of the planning and works committee and political lead for the LRT project.
Some intersections have prohibited left or right turns as well.
- Kitchener residents say LRT tracks cutting off access to stores, work
- LRT delayed until early 2018 due to Bombardier train delays
- Bombardier layoffs won't affect Waterloo region's LRT train production
Here are some traffic changes to look for:
No parking or driving on LRT tracks
On Jan.1, the Region of Waterloo added a new by-law spelling out that drivers are not allowed to park or stop on LRT tracks.
Any vehicle stopped or parked anywhere along the LRT route will be fined or towed. It's also prohibited to drive on LRT tracks.
Drivers can cross over the tracks at intersections, but the LRT tracks are for LRT vehicles only.
Northfield Drive W.
Drivers won't be able to make left turns off of Northfield Drive due to a hard curb on either side of LRT tracks in the centre of the roadway.
Access to businesses or minor roads from the opposite side of Northfield Drive will be through a lighted intersection.
Drivers can make left turns and U-turns at these lighted intersections – in order to help drivers navigate the area.
Caroline and Erb
Though currently open, drivers will not be allowed to turn left from Caroline Street onto Erb Street. Only Grand River Transit buses will be allowed to make that turn.
For drivers wanting to turn left onto Erb Street from Caroline Street, the alternative is to turn onto Father David Bauer Drive to connect to Erb Street.
"It's going to be a little complicated because it's always been a complicated intersection, even before the [LRT] train," said Galloway.
Ottawa and Mill
Significant changes have been made to Mill Street in order to accommodate the LRT tracks. Left turns from Mill Street onto Ottawa Street are now prohibited.
The alternative would be take Courtland Avenue, instead of Mill Street, to turn left onto Ottawa Street. No right turns will be allowed when the train is passing through that intersection.
Courtland and Block Line
Double left turn lanes have been added to help accommodate traffic, but right turns are no longer allowed on red lights from Block Line Road to Courtland Avenue.
More changes to come
Galloway says get used to these new road rules now – there's even more to come.
"It will be another level of learning once the trains start running, when they are being tested and when their service starts a year from now," he said.
The trains will have equipment on board that can trigger a change to traffic signals so that they can easily get through intersections and arrive and depart on time.
As well, some intersections will have a gate that will come down – like at a level crossing – while others will not, and it will be on the driver to watch for oncoming trains.