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CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Public consultations on LRT into Cambridge set for coming weeks, no timeline for project yet
The Region of Waterloo continues to plan for Phase 2 of the LRT into Cambridge but actually getting shovels in the ground is still years away. A report to regional councillors Tuesday during the sustainability, infrastructure and development committee meeting noted staff are continuing to work on an initial business case for the project. Doug Spooner is the acting commissioner of transportation services for the region and told councillors there are currently three dates for his team that need to be confirmed. "Procurement, which I've told you [will take] two and a half years, there is breaking ground, the first time we put a shovel in the ground, and there is the first ride on the new system," Spooner said. "At this time, I wouldn't give you an estimate on when we break ground and when we take the first ride. I think that'd be inappropriate at the phase that I'm sitting in where I don't have a confirmed project, I do not have confirmed funding and I don't have a full business case that lays out that cost fully for ourselves or for our potential funders." Councillors heard how there will be public consultation meetings and pop-up sessions in the coming weeks to get feedback from the public on the initial business case, which is needed before the region can go to upper levels of government for funding. The LRT project was first approved in June 2011 to be completed in two phases. Review of a possible route and stations began in 2015 and since then there have been five rounds of public consultation. In June 2019, regional council endorsed a final preferred route and station locations. Then in 2022 and 2023, the project cost estimates were updated and council asked staff to bring forward information on the option of bus rapid transit as part of the initial business case. As it is now, the initial business case has five options: Full LRT service into downtown Cambridge (Galt). Partial LRT service from Fairway Station to Pinebush Station and then an express bus into downtown Cambridge. Partial LRT service from Fairway Station to Delta Station and then an express bus. Partial LRT service from the Preston Station to downtown Cambridge. BRT (bus rapid transit) with dedicated and separated lanes from Fairway Station to downtown Cambridge. WATCH | Cambridge councillor cites 'misinformation' as a reason for LRT opposition: Cambridge councillor cites 'misinformation' as a reason for LRT opposition 6 days ago As the Region of Waterloo finalizes its business case for phase two of the LRT project into Cambridge, residents have been expressing their opinions on whether the project is worth the expense and the trouble. Cambridge Coun. Ross Earnshaw says while most of the responses he's heard are positive, some are resisting the change with concern for the preservation of Cambridge's iconic downtown. 'It felt like freedom' to take LRT, rider says Regional councillors heard from people in the community who would like to see the LRT become a reality, including Barry Green of Cambridge who says he lives with a disability and relies on transit to get to work and buy groceries. "If I took transit to be here for this meeting today, I would have had to leave my house at 6:45 this morning. It would have taken three different bus routes," he said. He said it's a quick drive to his job at Costco, but it takes him an hour on the bus and if the bus is late, he's left in the cold. "It's unpredictable, it's stressful, it puts barriers to make it harder for me to live independently," he said. "I need a train that's reliable, that's frequent and more accessible." Holden Sisak, 12, and his dad Devin Sisak also spoke to council. Holden, who uses a wheelchair and uses a communicator that reads what he writes, said he splits his time with his mom in Kitchener and his dad in Cambridge. He said last week, while in Kitchener, he was able to get on the LRT "to go on an adventure." "No waiting for someone to help me, no calling ahead, no hoping the ramp would work or that there will be room for my wheelchair," he said. "I just rolled onto the platform, waited a minute, and then zoom, I was off. It felt like freedom, like real grown up freedom. The LRT was built in a way that already works for me." Devin Sisak, who also started the advocacy group Barrier-free Cambridge, added: "The LRT doesn't just remove barriers, it doesn't build them in the first place." Faster timeline? It's expected to take two and a half years for the business case to be completed, which was frustrating for Cambridge regional Coun. Pam Wolf. "I really don't understand why we would have to, after we all say yes, everybody says yes for the third or fourth time, that we have to wait two years to have all the Is and Ts crossed and then ask for the money," she said. Cambridge regional Coun. Doug Craig, who is also the former mayor of the city, quipped, "My concern is that I'm running out of time to see this happen." Kitchener Mayor Barry Vrbanovic asked if there was anything the region could do to fast track the project, but Spooner said they need to take their time. "At this stage, I would say no. I think we have to be respectful of our wants to gather input from residents, from the business community and the development community," Spooner said, adding he hopes to bring a recommendation forward to council in November based on the public input. In November, he also wants to have the next steps ready for councillors in November to understand whether the region might want to take "a little bit of financial risk up front" and start moving forward on the project. "We'll put that in front of you on a plan to try and accelerate this as fast as we can," he said. Public information sessions A survey about the project is currently on the Engage Waterloo Region website. The survey will remain open until Oct. 24. Three public information sessions are scheduled: Tues., Aug. 19 virtual session from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 10 at the Queen's Square Library from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tues. Sept. 23 at the Old Post Office from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pop-up sessions are scheduled to be held: Thurs., Aug. 14 - Pinebush Station from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., Aug. 17 at the KidsPark event in Kitchener's Victoria Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Aug. 18 at the Fairway Station from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 21 at Waterloo Public Square from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tues., Aug. 26 at the Sportsworld Station from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wed., Aug. 27 at the Cambridge Centre Station from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wed., Sept. 3 at Waterloo Fest in uptown Waterloo from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 9 at the Cambridge Centre Station from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mon., Sept. 15 at the Ainslie Terminal from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wed., Sept. 18 at the Queen's Square Library from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20 at the Kitchener Farmers' Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri. Sept. 26 at the Hespeler Village Farmers' Market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sat. Oct. 4 at the Cambridge Centre Station from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- CTV News
Parkside Drive speed camera reinstalled alongside police surveillance camera
The speed enforcement camera on Parkside Drive in Toronto's west end has been reinstalled after being vandalized five times. (CTV News Toronto) The speed enforcement camera on Parkside Drive in Toronto's west end is back up on its pedestal and ready to catch speeding drivers. The installation comes with an extra set of eyes watching over it to deter troublemakers. On May 23, the speed camera was vandalized for the fifth time in seven months. As the new one went back into service this week, Toronto Hydro tells CTV News Toronto a nearby surveillance camera was also installed at the request of Transportation Services for Toronto police. police surveillance parkside A surveillance camera was installed near the Parkside Drive speed camera at the request of Transportation Services for Toronto police. (CTV News Toronto) 'Hopefully the eye in the sky is now going to help,' said Genevieve Lacroix, co-chair of the advocacy group Safe Parkside. Lacroix explained when the speed camera is working she sees a change in how people drive, but once they go past it, speeds increase. She said the speed camera should only be a temporary solution. 'For whatever little impact it has, we like to have it. What we would like to see is a complete redesign of the street, which would solve all issues.' The speed limit on Parkside Drive is 40 kilometres per hour—and even with the camera working again, CTV News Toronto captured several people Wednesday driving over 50 kilometres per hour. speed enforcement CTV News Toronto captured several people driving over 50 kilometres per hour in the 40 zone on Parkside Drive despite the presence of a speed camera. In 2021, road safety was the spotlight on Parkside after a devastating chain-reaction crash killed two seniors. Of all the speed camera enforcement machines in the city, the location is the biggest revenue generator in the city, garnering 66,000 tickets and more than $7 million in fines. Safe Parkside said the speed camera first went into service in 2022. 'I don't know, it's a cat and mouse game,' said one motorist. 'But I think it's a good idea. I think it's good to keep the neighbourhood safe.' 'There are a number of people who roar at night. I don't know why (vandals) keep tearing it down, they are just going to put it back up. It's upsetting, because it's dangerous,' said a woman who lives nearby. While some welcome the extra eyes to ensure the speed camera works and even said it a police camera should have been installed sooner, others see two sides. 'I can certainly understand the need, especially in an area where there's a lot of dogs, lots of children,' said Leah Fassett. 'But I can also see the side of people not wanting to have cameras everywhere in their neighbourhood.' Only time will tell if the new surveillance camera will be enough to protect the speed camera from further destruction. The speed camera on Parkside is not the only one getting vandalized in the city. According to Toronto police, there were several reports of damaged cameras in multiple locations in just a few days at the end June. Lacroix said she understands motorists are frustrated getting around the city, but wants people to drive safely. 'Be a bit more patient, be a bit more courteous, pay attention to the road,'' said Lacroix. 'You have to remember at the end of the day that those are people's lives, those are our kids, those are our grandparents, those are our parents, that are actually community members or just even using the street and you are endangering them by wanting to speed.'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abilene Regional Airport sees 19% growth in 2024, plans for continued expansion
ABILENE, Texas () – During the January Airport Development Board Meeting, Transportation Services Director Don Green and Marketing and Development Manager Elizabeth Smyser presented the 2024 Abilene Regional Airport statistics, highlighting a year of significant growth. In December 2024, passenger boardings increased by 10%, with 9,360 enplanements. This marked a rise of 867 passengers compared to December 2023. For the entire year, the airport recorded a 19% increase in boardings, with 99,338 enplanements in 2024, up from 83,311 in 2023. Abilene Regional Airport proposes $70 million renovation project Green credited this success to several factors, including a thriving local economy and passenger satisfaction with the aircraft in use. 'A lot of businesses are thriving, and businesses are being drawn to the area,' Green explained. 'We still continue to see that the Embraer 175 is doing very well. It is very popular among our passengers with the two class service and just that larger feel. It's more of a mainline feel.' Green also noted an uptick in business travel to Abilene, though specific figures are still being assessed. 'It's hard to quantify right now, but we're engaging with companies to better measure this growth in the coming year,' he added. The positive trends extended to parking revenue, which exceeded $1.1 million by the end of the fiscal year in October 2024. Abilene City Council debates $5.6 million increase in airport project costs Green praised Smyser's efforts in enhancing the airport's social media presence and marketing initiatives, which have grown substantially over the past year. Smyser added that American Airlines remains confident in Abilene's progress, maintaining a steady five-flights-a-day schedule. Additionally, Green provided an update on the airport ramp project. A preconstruction meeting was held two weeks ago, and a notice to proceed is set for February 17. Green expects visible progress, such as groundwork, to begin by the end of February. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abilene Regional Airport proposes $70 million renovation project
ABILENE, Texas () – As the Abilene Regional Airport approaches its 57th anniversary, a new plan has emerged to give the building a refresh, with an estimated cost of $70 million. At the Airport Development Board Meeting, Director of Transportation Services Don Green said Abilene was well overdue for a refresher at the airport. 'The terminal was built in 1968. It needs improvements; it needs additions. It needs work to happen on it. No matter what kind of work we decide to do, what level, what phase… we have to start putting some money into the terminal,' Green said. Abilene City Council debates $5.6 million increase in airport project costs The project is broken into three phases and has an estimated cost of $70 million, which Green said even if bonds cover it, the city would still have to pay $20 million. 'I don't think that this happens without a bond election. Right. Because we're talking big bucks,' Green said during the meeting. The airport currently experiences a crowded lobby area during boarding time, with planes operating at full capacity. The plan's primary goals are to enhance lighting, increase capacity, and improve accessibility outside. Green discussed several proposals for the new building, including removing the top-tier driveway and adding another lane to the lower level instead. Sky high forecast: How Abilene's airport uses aviation weather 'That gives us larger restrooms. It gives us an assisted restroom, nursing mothers room, a vending area, a VIP business space, and seating for up to 200 people and the new jet bridge,' Green said. 'We're going to have more glass, and that opens up the feel of the terminal. It opens up the light to natural light during the daytime.' The proposal will be brought up at the City Council retreat on Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
