GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[smallspy]

My understanding was that steep grades and tight turns near science center station (or whatever we're calling it now) necessitated smaller and lighter trains than is currently in use on lines 1 & 2, is that not true ?

That claim was made, and thoroughly debunked. Tighter curves exist on the subway network, as do larger grades.

The only advantage of the new line is the fact that it will operate on 1500Vdc, and thus require fewer substations. But at the cost of not being able to fully integrate with the TTC's existing 600Vdc distribution system.

Dan

 

[KhalilHeron]

I thought those Scarborough grade separations had quietly died? Surprised to see them back alive again.

The one killed in Verster’s time was a rail-rail separation at Scarborough Junction.

Galloway is a 3 track crossing whereas Poplar and Morningside are two track so presumably Galloway is higher risk score. Probably want get that finished before doing another close by one, and Golf Club Rd (west of Guildwood station) is also pending and has 3 tracks

Scarborough Golf Club and Poplar were permanently deferred but Morningside and Galloway were still on the table I believe. There were a few crews doing survey work for the morningside crossing in the past two years that they handed out flyers to neighbours for. I believe the plan for poplar road now is cloaing the road and building a pedestrian crossing

How come they all don't have 3 tracks ?

Corridor narrows from 3 tracks to 2 past galloway (right after guildwood go) and is two tracks for rest of the line

 

[crs1026]

It will be interesting to see how those crossings fare with the newly announced 10 minute peak headways…. That’s a lot of crossing activations per hour.

- Paul

 

[dowlingm]

So grade separations leads to faster times and more frequency and so forth n so forth correct? This is why we are doing this correct?

Grade separations (solely from the rail perspective - clearly there are also significant benefits to road users on lines frequent service) eliminate the potential for vehicle incursion and lengthy service suspension (before we get into damage repair, on board injuries and employee trauma) when a train smashes into it. It also simplifies signalling since detection equipment and signal heads can be removed and their maintenance cost zeroed.

Poplar Road being retooled into a pedestrian/cycleway reflects the reality that if a rail line is not sufficiently porous people will try to cross it nothwithstanding the danger.

 

[Woodbridge_Heights]

Speaking of Danforth station, there's a petition to get them to add a walkway from the north platform, along the west-side of Main Street to Stephenson Avenue. Which is surprisingly lacking, I realized when I walked in that way once.

Safer Access to Danforth GO — Build a Sidewalk Path from Stephenson Ave - Online petition

Residents accessing the Danforth GO Station from Stephenson Avenue face unsafe conditions every day. The only current access involves unlit stairs and crossing busy traffic without a safe pedestrian crossing nearby. This creates serious risks for commuters, families, seniors, and anyone...

www.openpetition.org

The last information session for the station early works is tonight (4 pm to 8 pm). I was there a couple of weeks ago - they were a bit cagey about the station details, though they did say there was a lot of unhappiness at closing the tunnel for 2 years for construction (which does seem unnecessary, given how they've mostly kept the tunnel open at Exhibition station despite MUCH more extensive construction.

They did hint that they were considering a kiss-and-ride at the foot of Dawes Road (opening up a new entrance to the platform there). And made me aware of the petition.

This has been an ongoing complaint. I'll never understand what MX has against secondary entrances.

There is a satellite parking lot at DC Oshawa go that is mere meters from the west end of the platform., but instead passengers must make a long (1+km?) walk around the station to enter

 

[Northern Light]

Speaking of Danforth station, there's a petition to get them to add a walkway from the north platform, along the west-side of Main Street to Stephenson Avenue. Which is surprisingly lacking, I realized when I walked in that way once.

There was a walkway in this location when I was a child.

It was made exit only at one point (turnstiles if I recall) if I recollect correctly this was the result of an assault having taken place and the area being very isolated (between the bridge and the hydro facility.

At some point later it was eliminated entirely.

Safer Access to Danforth GO — Build a Sidewalk Path from Stephenson Ave - Online petition

Residents accessing the Danforth GO Station from Stephenson Avenue face unsafe conditions every day. The only current access involves unlit stairs and crossing busy traffic without a safe pedestrian crossing nearby. This creates serious risks for commuters, families, seniors, and anyone...

www.openpetition.org

The last information session for the station early works is tonight (4 pm to 8 pm). I was there a couple of weeks ago - they were a bit cagey about the station details, though they did say there was a lot of unhappiness at closing the tunnel for 2 years for construction (which does seem unnecessary, given how they've mostly kept the tunnel open at Exhibition station despite MUCH more extensive construction.

They did hint that they were considering a kiss-and-ride at the foot of Dawes Road (opening up a new entrance to the platform there). And made me aware of the petition.

Closing the tunnel, unless a new one is added first, should be a non-starter.

I like the idea of a PPUDO at Dawes with station entrance, but if you do that, then anyone going eastbound would have to walk almost to Main to go under the tracks. Putting a tunnel towards Dawes would make a lot of sense.

 

[Sauga89]

There was a walkway in this location when I was a child.

It was made exit only at one point (turnstiles if I recall) if I recollect correctly this was the result of an assault having taken place and the area being very isolated (between the bridge and the hydro facility.

At some point later it was eliminated entirely.

A 1978 satellite image from the city of Toronto's mapping site.

 

[smallspy]

It will be interesting to see how those crossings fare with the newly announced 10 minute peak headways…. That’s a lot of crossing activations per hour.

- Paul

No different than the 4 expresses and 2 locals per hour they used to run pre-COVID.

Dan

 

[reaperexpress]

It will be interesting to see how those crossings fare with the newly announced 10 minute peak headways…. That’s a lot of crossing activations per hour.

- Paul

The planned service level is still lower than pre-pandemic due to a reduction in counter-peak service:

Peak hour, peak direction
6 Lakeshore West (=)
3 Stouffville (1 more than pre-pandemic)
1 Via (=)
Counter-peak
2 Lakeshore West (2 fewer than pre-pandemic)

 

[Sauga89]

The Ernest Ave access to Bloor GO is permanently closing on Nov. 1, to allow for installation work on the 4th Kitchener Line track. Metrolinx says a detour will be in place until the new Randolph entrance opens in early 2026.

 

[Northern Light]

Fun fact: The distance from Bramalea to Silver Jct west of Georgetown is 21 kms. So (at face value, assuming that's where the 40 km of track is planned) adding 40 kms of track is effectively giving GO a dedicated double track line thru CN territory.

- Paul

From the Trillium:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/province-cn-agree-on-land-deal-to-expand-kitchener-line-service-11357374

Fun Fact: Paul's guesses are better than many people's facts.

 

[crs1026]

LOL I have never seen land bought in linear measures before.

Rolls of sod, maybe.

- Paul

PS - 20.9 km length x 20 m wide ROW = 418,000 m2 = 41.8 hectares = 103.3 acres
Compare that to the land required to build a 4-lane expressway

 

[Jm gravel]

There was a walkway in this location when I was a child.

It was made exit only at one point (turnstiles if I recall) if I recollect correctly this was the result of an assault having taken place and the area being very isolated (between the bridge and the hydro facility.

At some point later it was eliminated entirely.



Closing the tunnel, unless a new one is added first, should be a non-starter.

I like the idea of a PPUDO at Dawes with station entrance, but if you do that, then anyone going eastbound would have to walk almost to Main to go under the tracks. Putting a tunnel towards Dawes would make a lot of sense.

With respect to the Danforth…do any of the Metrolinx planners actually use or at least simulate use of any of these entrances and exits to their stations?

 

[Northern Light]

With respect to the Danforth…do any of the Metrolinx planners actually use or at least simulate use of any of these entrances and exits to their stations?

Don't know.

I'll admit to my instinct being that they do not. I encounter so many project managers in government that don't ground truth a thing.

 

[Miltonrider]

From the Trillium:

View attachment 690006

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/province-cn-agree-on-land-deal-to-expand-kitchener-line-service-11357374

Fun Fact: Paul's guesses are better than many people's facts.

Nice that the government can spend money to expand Kitchener line service again & again, yet can't drop a dime for limited weekend Milton service!