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For those watching for signs of progress on the Hamilton/Niagara front - A friend sent me a photo today showing that CN has just installed a new set of crossovers at Bayview, allowing trains to scoot from the third track east of Bayview to either of the two tracks between there and Hamilton, without conflicting with either of the two tracks that run up the hill to London. That very much improves the ability to operate 2-way GO train service west of Aldershot.

Now the question becomes, how the newly added third track (that will use the new bridge) is tied in at Bayview and at Hamilton Jct. The new signals hint at that, but time will tell.

Bottom line, it's a sign that things are creeping forwards. Sorry, no sign of life east of West Harbour, to let a Niagara train into the depot.

- Paul
 
Allandale25 said:
^ cool! Able to post the picture?
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I am now. Hamilton is to the right, Bayview (and Toronto) to the left.

The interesting thing is that these switches appear to be No 12's, ie only good for 25 mph tops. I would have expected longer ones that would allow higher speed, but that might mean moving the signals. Or, perhaps there are other switches to be added and space is tight. The signal in the picture has only one lens (presumably red) in the middle position, which means the signal has no capability to display a "medium" or "limited" indication, ie this speed limitation was clearly a conscious choice in the design. Usually ML would just spend more money, but that doesn't mean CN would agree to it. Maybe someone will know why such a slow speed is acceptable here.

- Paul

Bayview 1108.jpg
 

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alexanderglista said:
Two Milton-line related announcements dropping tomorrow. Mike Wolczyk, Vice President, Corridor Infrastructure, Capital Projects Group, Metrolinx will be in attendance too. Any ideas on this? More parking? More trains?
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I admire your optimism and enthusiasm in assuming it is two separate announcements and not just the same thing announced twice in two different places!
 
TOareaFan said:
I admire your optimism and enthusiasm in assuming it is two separate announcements and not just the same thing announced twice in two different places!
Click to expand...

Sorry, I miss-wrote. Yes I'm sure it's the same announcement, especially due to the limited time gap between "events". More trains are always nice, fingers crossed!
 
alexanderglista said:
Two Milton-line related announcements dropping tomorrow. Mike Wolczyk, Vice President, Corridor Infrastructure, Capital Projects Group, Metrolinx will be in attendance too. Any ideas on this? More parking? More trains?
Click to expand...

I bet it's parking. Neither station has a parking garage yet, and Metrolinx is busy planning a batch of garages (Cooksville and Bramalea also have planned garages).
 
The Milton GO Station redevelopment and expansion will include:

  • A new station building
  • Upgraded parking lot with additional 850 parking bringing the total to approximately 2,300 spaces
  • Reconfiguration of parking lot layouts, bus loop, and passenger pick-up/drop-offs
  • Accessible connections to train and bus platforms
  • Upgraded platforms and infrastructure to support future layover of trains
  • Improved pedestrian connections and bicycle storage.
https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017...sit-for-commuters-and-families-in-milton.html
 
Request for Qualifications Issued for Milton Corridor Project
November 15, 2017
TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to design, build and finance the Milton Corridor project, which consists of an expansion of Milton GO Station, redevelopment of Meadowvale GO Station and a new Stations Operations West Facility. This project is part of a larger, system-wide plan to improve GO Transit service, including supporting the delivery of GO Regional Express Rail (RER) by 2024-25.

The RFQ outlines the scope of work required, which includes:

Milton GO Station

  • New station building
  • Reconfiguration of parking lot layouts, bus loop, and passenger pick-up/drop-offs
  • Accessible connections to train and bus platforms
  • Upgrade of existing platform and infrastructure to support future layover of trains
  • Upgrade of parking lot and additional parking spaces
  • Improved pedestrian connections and bicycle storage
Meadowvale GO Station

  • New station building
  • Reconfiguration of parking lot layouts, bus loop, and passenger pick-up/drop-offs
  • Accessible connections to train and bus platforms
  • Repair and replacement of damaged catch basins and storm sewer lines
  • Upgrade of parking lot
  • Improved pedestrian connections and bicycle storage
Station Operations West Facility

  • Partial demolition and retrofit/renovation of a vacant office and warehouse facility to accommodate future office, warehouse and parking needs for GO operations
  • New secured fleet vehicle parking lot
The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the project. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions to prequalify project teams with the relevant design and construction experience. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a request for proposals in 2018. Interested companies must register with www.merx.com to download the RFQ.



Quick Facts:

  • The project is being delivered using Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which transfers risks associated with design, construction and financing of the project to the private sector.
  • GO RER is Ontario's plan to provide faster and more frequent service on the GO rail network, with electrified service on core segments, including the UP Express. To support these planned GO rail service improvements, Metrolinx will be undertaking major infrastructure upgrades, including, for example, additional track, GO station modifications, improved rail crossings, required systems for electrification, and new locomotives and train control systems to enable more frequent service.
  • Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, visit Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Quotes:
“This region is growing and so is demand for public transit. We are investing in greater convenience and comfort for commuters with improvements to station capacity, accessible connections to train and bus platforms, new multi-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, and safety upgrades to lighting and PA systems. These station expansions are just part of our plan to keep Ontario moving with a future-ready transportation network”
Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation

“Ontario is committed to making infrastructure investments that will give people new and better travel options, with faster and more frequent service. Moving people to the places they work, live and play is key to growing our economy and helping them in their everyday lives.”
Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure

“We're pleased that Infrastructure Ontario's proven AFP model will help deliver a number of important projects for GO Transit expansion, including the Milton Corridor project.”
Ehren Cory, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
 
crs1026 said:
Nicer, prettier stations but no added track to run additional trains.

This government is all show and no substance.

- Paul
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I would argue that new station buildings and major expansions to parking lots are substantial enough to warrant a feel-good photo-op, but only at the ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting points. This government will make every single step a friggin' ministerial photo-op, from the announcement of RFQs, to the closure of RFQs, to the selection of a contractor, and then the groundbreaking.
 
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