Sportsworld Transit Hub

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'd do a temporary ("bare bones") terminal on the southwest corner for now. It's the only quadrant in that area with any hope for a pedestrian feel over the next 10 years. There's really only a need for 3-4 possible connecting bus routes, so the terminal can be fairly small.

The northern sections just aren't developed, and the southeast is a very big box auto oriented place (Price Club, Home Depot, Sears Home). The Staples is set to close at the end of this month, so we'll see what becomes of that property.

A review of this area would be done in a decade (or for Phase 2 LRT) to see if other sections have started to develop/redevelop and if a station would make more sense there.

The whole Sportsworld area is a mess, and if it wasn't for being 1) a necessary link between Kitchener & Cambridge, and 2) beside the 401 for commuters; I wouldn't even place a station in this section of the city. Therefore I'd want to use the real prize, the eventual LRT station, to lure developments around (and connected to) it.

[dunkalunk]

Do we have any idea when the westbound flyover from 8 to the 401 can be expected? A permanent solution will be needed in advance to major construction, or when LRT is due for extension. Either-or.

[Waterlooer]

I read on article on the record a few months ago, and they said it will get started when they add the HOV lanes from Cambridge to Halton (I forget when that's getting started, sometime between 2014 and 2017 i think).

[dunkalunk]

Well, if the graphic depicting the redesigned interchange at Sportsworld/8 will be built similar to how it looks, then I'm imagining something that would look like this:



Such a configuration could be reversed, but I think Highway 8 would encounter weaving issues if the Eastbound onramp were moved any closer to the 401 once the new flyover ramps are built. In the westbound direction, this weaving issue was solved with the use of a small basketweave between the 401 and Maple Grove.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I spoke with the Ministry of Transportation earlier this week to see if there's been any updates on the Highway 8 & 401 Interchange Improvements. There hasn't been, and I was told the project is at least 10 years away. This was just a preliminary Environmental Assessment, and before (at least 1-2 years) any construction takes place, detailed design work still needs to be completed. There will be a public notice for this. I've added myself to the project's mailing list and will post updates.

Given that Southwestern Ontario is growing slowly (London CMA +3.7% - Census 2011) or declining (Windsor -1.3%, Chatham-Kent -4.2%) I don't see much motivation to push this project further ahead. Especially when the preliminary cost estimate is just over $100-million. I'd prefer to see that highway spending pay for a portion of Highway 7 instead.

I believe your plan will eventually be built once either: 1) LRT is extended, 2) increased development happens on the North side, or 3) when the 8/401 interchange is built. I just don't see any of them happening until the mid-2020s. In my opinion, having a station over there right now would be like putting the Conestoga Mall Station at the Waterloo Inn - not the best pedestrian experience for anyone going to the main destination in the area.

I know temporary/interim anything can be seen as a waste, but I really feel that's all this area can justify at this point. Just build the station with materials that are cheap and can be easily reusable.

For reference here's the Highway 8 & 401 Interchange Improvements - Transportation Environmental Study Report - September 2009. I'll copy it to the other thread at a later date.

[bzmwillemsen]

I spoke with the Ministry of Transportation earlier this week to see if there's been any updates on the Highway 8 & 401 Interchange Improvements. There hasn't been, and I was told the project is at least 10 years away. This was just a preliminary Environmental Assessment, and before (at least 1-2 years) any construction takes place, detailed design work still needs to be completed. There will be a public notice for this. I've added myself to the project's mailing list and will post updates.

Given that Southwestern Ontario is growing slowly (London CMA +3.7% - Census 2011) or declining (Windsor -1.3%, Chatham-Kent -4.2%) I don't see much motivation to push this project further ahead. Especially when the preliminary cost estimate is just over $100-million. I'd prefer to see that highway spending pay for a portion of Highway 7 instead.

I believe your plan will eventually be built once either: 1) LRT is extended, 2) increased development happens on the North side, or 3) when the 8/401 interchange is built. I just don't see any of them happening until the mid-2020s. In my opinion, having a station over there right now would be like putting the Conestoga Mall Station at the Waterloo Inn - not the best pedestrian experience for anyone going to the main destination in the area.

I know temporary/interim anything can be seen as a waste, but I really feel that's all this area can justify at this point. Just build the station with materials that are cheap and can be easily reusable.

For reference here's the Highway 8 & 401 Interchange Improvements - Transportation Environmental Study Report - September 2009. I'll copy it to the other thread at a later date.

Anyway we can see the Exhibits in the linked document? For some reason they aren't included in the document.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'm not sure why the exhibits weren't included but I'll send back an email requesting them. Here's the document I received previously: PDF

[KevinL]

Greyhound is closing their Sportsworld office and returning permanently to Charles St.

Greyhound to cut Sportsworld stop July 31

The Record | July 6 | LINK

All Greyhound Bus service from Sportsworld will cease on July 31, a company spokesperson confirmed Friday.
Commuters who use the stop will have to begin departing from the Charles Street terminal, where parking is not free, instead.
Several drivers informed commuters of the change this morning as they boarded buses headed to Toronto.

[markster]

Greyhound is closing their Sportsworld office and returning permanently to Charles St.

And there was much rejoicing.

[1231]

.

[bzmwillemsen]

I heard MTO is going to build a carpool lot at Sportsworld this summer and GO would be adding a stop there.

That would be amazing!

[DHLawrence]

I know I'd use it if my commute took me there.

[Lens]

I heard MTO is going to build a carpool lot at Sportsworld this summer and GO would be adding a stop there.

I have also heard this and I remember seeing it somewhere official... I think there's a probably a 99% chance of a GO park and ride station.

[timio]

http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/ab...ilityStudy.pdf

And here (in section 6 under Proposed Park and Ride locations): http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/a...an2011-12.aspx

[RangersFan]

Some interesting news contained in this 570 News update, didn't realize Greyhound was asked to leave.

GO Setting up at Sportsworld

July 12, 2012 | Blair Adams | 570 News | LINK

GO Transit will be putting in a transit hub on Sportsworld Drive in Kitchener.

A larger parking lot and bus bays will go up later this summer.

Last week, it was learned Greyhound Canada was asked to close its depot at the same location by July 31st.

Greyhound plans to start service soon at 1139 Industrial Road in Cambridge.

A GO official tells 570 News the hub will be shared with Grand River Transit.

No word on when GO will start service from Sportsworld.

[markster]

Greyhound plans to start service soon at 1139 Industrial Road in Cambridge.

Someone needs to send 570 news the memo that that Greyhound already services that.

[KevinL]

Someone needs to send 570 news the memo that that Greyhound already services that.

Indeed, they've been there the better part of a decade (and were at the old Forum roller-rink nearby before that).

[mpd618]

In all of this (unless I missed it), it isn't entirely clear what authority the MTO / GO Transit had to expel Greyhound. Was Greyhound just renting space on property that was all this time owned by MTO?

[KLM]

In all of this (unless I missed it), it isn't entirely clear what authority the MTO / GO Transit had to expel Greyhound. Was Greyhound just renting space on property that was all this time owned by MTO?

I had a feeling that Greyhound wanted to move to Sportsworld because of dispute with GRT ( renting fees too high, I beleive).

Am I missing something here?