Learning from ION Stage 1 to build more ION

Yesterday Oh The Urbanity released a fantastic video all about how the Region of Waterloo kept costs relatively low for the initial section of ION. The 16-minute video sums up the lessons as: knowing what you want, adapting and reusing corridors, political backing and authority, de-risking the project, and designing a no frills system — but go watch it to understand how it all ties into effective construction. It turns out other places can learn from how we built ION, and here in the region we should certainly refresh our memory.

The current ION Stage 2 cost estimates are far higher than for Stage 2, but that doesn’t mean all the lessons of Stage 1 have been forgotten. We are still waiting for the results of our Freedom of Information request, but it seems that the estimates are based on how much projects like Hamilton and Hurontario LRTs are spending rather than specific local costs. On September 9, TriTAG presented to Region of Waterloo Council about IONizeWR and asked that the Region approach this work as an ION expansion program rather than a singular stage 2 project. Doing that could enable us to use cost savings to build more lines.

And our Regional government is thinking about more lines (as are we). The last Regional Official Plan references a conceptual second line along Ottawa Street, which is referenced in the Regional Airport growth plans and has been identified as a growth corridor for Kitchener’s next official plan.

What’s happening with Stage 2

Staff have been working on an initial business case (IBC), which considers several shorter LRT options as well as a full BRT option. The full report will be presented with a staff recommendation for approval at the Regional Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee meeting on November 4, and final ratification at Regional Council on November 19. At that point, if approved, the Region will update its funding requests to the provincial and federal governments, begin work on a full business plan, and begin land acquisition for the route. Potentially, with Council’s endorsement, it could take on some financial risk and start some of the construction prior to completing a full business plan.

There does not seem to be much enthusiasm on Council for a shorter route or for downgrading to BRT. Maintaining transfer points along the central transit corridor would diminish the real and symbolic connectivity between Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge; and a BRT option would be less able to guide development to the corridor. If anything, some Regional Councillors want to see shovels in the ground ASAP. And it may be a favourable environment for federal funding, with ION stage 2 envisioned as a community-connecting infrastructure project that ties into housing development.

That said, staff and Council have not made their decisions and need to know that the community is behind extending light rail all the way to downtown Cambridge.

What you can do

• If you have not done so, fill out the Region’s survey on EngageWR and attend any of the remaining public sessions.
• Consider writing a letter to the editor in a local newspaper, or speaking up in your online or offline communities.
• Send a message of support directly to Regional Council.
• Catch up on ION stage 1, transit cost research, and more on our Resources page.
• And… if you know anyone in provincial or federal government, tell them to fund ION stage 2!