A construction tender is expected in the spring for a new transit hub in Kitchener.
Project officials revealed the design plans for the facility recently and are inviting public input through the Engage Waterloo Region website and a virtual public meeting that will be held December 3.
“On December 3, once people have had an opportunity to look at the drawings, we’ll be holding a virtual public meeting … and we’ll have the project architect and project team members providing a walk-through of the updated designs and answering questions,” Ellen McGaghey, project director, told CBC News.
The hub would be located at the corner of King Street and Victoria Street. The project is expected to go out for tender in early spring of 2021 and it’s expected that construction will begin later in the year.
IBI Group says it has developed the preliminary site plan, station access plan, functional grade separation design, and a full environmental assessment.
“We identified impacts on properties, land use and traffic operations based on changes to the existing rail facilities and proposed transit hub improvements,” the designers say on their website.
“As part of the preliminary site design, we determined the functional requirements and conceptual layouts for all modes of transit including walking and cycling access plans.”The Region of Waterloo has purchased land at the north-east corner of King and Victoria streets in Kitchener for a transit hub. The lands extend north to the rail line and east to Duke Street.
The future transit hub is important as it will change the way people connect with Waterloo Region. It will offer seamless access to multiple modes of transportation connecting you to work, home and retail using all commuting options.\
- ION light rail transit
- Grand River Transit
- Expanded GO train and bus service
- VIA Rail
- Greyhound
- Coach Canada
- CarShare
- Pedestrians and cyclists
It will become a new focal point for our growing region, creating a vibrant urban experience and inspiring more economic development – in addition to promoting our connection to the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor.
Using all input and priorities identified to date, we continue to work with our partners to inform final design – including walking and cycling connections. Stay tuned for more opportunities to provide comments in early 2020 on engagewr.ca. Register now for regular feedback opportunities on a variety of subjects.
Staff from City of Kitchener, Metrolinx and Region of Waterloo held a public meeting Nov. 28, 2019 to discuss transit infrastructure necessary for new and increased rail service to the region. Comment forms were collected and will be referenced in future planning.
A public input survey was conducted alongside four public information sessions on the transit hub throughout the region in April 2018. In 2017, a Joint Design Review Panel was created and continues to provide input to transit hub design. See the terms of reference.
The Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener held an open house on May 19, 2016 to share the transit hub plan and site concepts. Your feedback helped the Transit Hub project team understand the community’s top priorities for this public space.