https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/housing-hamilton-development-ontario/article_94d1ccf3-c9a5-54ec-9c03-77b72a75d324.html

The explanation I saw for these eye-popping percentages is exactly that, there was a one-time loan last budget for Canada Post, and the drop for VIA is because they have completed purchasing the Ventures.

This is just nonsense. ALTO will share whatever electrification standards MX uses (likely 25kVAC) exactly so that they can run through their territory- remember that the project is using TMC so no matter how they get to downtown Toronto, they'll run on the Oakville sub eventually. I think if...

Based on the "Corridor Missions" chart MX showed at the board meeting, a fourth Burlington platform and the Burloak grade separation are the only things holding up 15-min off-peak service to Burlington (I'm assuing the Grimsby station is not actually a blocker for this). I can see Burloak...

Not a driver so I don't have first hand experience, but only the section of the street furthest from the 403 and RHVP is getting bike lanes (Victoria to Sherman) so car traffic should be lesser there compared to Dundurn. A continuous lane to Longwood would be greatly appreciated but that is...

Almost cleared, with the Design District rising into the fog.

I've noticed the site there being cleared, they seem to have demolished most things except for the Gary Proctor building.

Closure permit says until 2028, so 2 years. Seems like an absurdly long time though, and if bikes can't get through then there's almost no good north/south routes between Bay and Victoria.

Would be a much better standard given the number of different services. Frequently have to stop and stare at these boards for half a minute while they cycle through all the stops to see if the LW is terminating at Appleby, Aldershot, Hamilton, West Harbour, Confederation, or Niagara Falls.

My understanding is that the final alignment will be publicly announced at the start of 2027.

Milton and Richmond Hill have no electrification plans so they'll be needed there as well. And unless they get some nice dual-mode locos any service at Aldershot and beyond will be diesel.

The Drury Lane bridge should also have accommodations for wire if anyone has a good photo.

At the consult they summed it up that the challenge on the northern route is geography, and the challenge on the southern route is society. Ask any engineer (including the one I talked to there) any they prefer dealing with rocks.

Another detail they shared with me after I asked about using TMC is that they're aiming to have one yard/maintenance centre per 100km, with a smaller facility every 50km. That seems overly dense to me but is apparently standard HSR practice.

Some interesting tidbits from my conversations with the various Alto reps today, including an engineer named David who really knew his stuff: When asked if ticketing and boarding would be more Skinkansen-style or the more securitized, airport style some are moving towards, they said it would be...