[urbancog]

A key driver for the 407 Freight Bypass was to support construction of a high-speed line from Toronto to Kitchener and London that would have needed two tracks in the current Halton Sub between Bramalea and Georgetown. Once the HSR project was dropped, by DF, the requirements for additional track became more manageable and an IBC was generated specifically to drop the bypass.

https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload/v1663237677/Documents/Metrolinx/20191122_BoardMtg_Kitchener_IBC.pdf

 

[Allandale25]

I'm assuming you're referring to the 407 freight bypass? I remember the Ontario Liberals making the announcement, but no one from CN was at the announcement. I don't think anything was agreed on yet either. They just announced that CN and the government had an "understanding".

I'm wondering if the flyover they recently announced west of Georgetown would still be necessary if the 407 freight bypass had been constructed. The bypass would eliminate the conflict point between CN and GO west of Georgetown, probably making the flyover no longer necessary.

I'm pretty sure someone from CN was at the announcement. I could try to find the video later.

Update: CN tweeted it out the June 14, 2016 press conference.

407 Rail Freight Bypass/The Missing Link

"News" is not a contract. So would announcing your marriage by Twitter make it legal? How about announcing you're going to buy someone's house? Announcing a death? Look, when I see an MOU in writing, then I'll start to believe Wynne et al. Here's what "Agreement in Principle" means...

urbantoronto.ca

Further update: Here's the press release and I believe the CN executive quarter is the one who spoke at the announcement.

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

Final update: Luc Jubin from CN was at the announcement (see the red arrow) addition to being quoted in the press release. I believe he spoke as well. For cross-referencing, other pictures of Luc here.

(Note: the Brampton Board of Trade CEO at the time was Todd Letts but they transferred the account to the present CEO which is why it says Jaipaul Singh Massey).

 

[SkylineHorizons]

I didn't realize that proposal existed! if a bus loop is there, I don't see why they can't squeeze a fourth track in there.

Could be that there wouldn't be any room for Railroad street with two extra tracks on the south side.

 

[crs1026]

I didn't realize that proposal existed! if a bus loop is there, I don't see why they can't squeeze a fourth track in there.

The fourth track has been planned on paper. The challenge is, it is better placed on the north side, and that would mean additional impacts and cost (moving the heritage station is one, but not the biggest from a technical perspective).

I suspect it would sink the price tag if done at the same time as the third track..... but it may be needed sooner than we think. I would have been happier if they had just bit the bullet and committed to it as well.

For that matter, I wonder if the current expansion really provides enough capacity for what ought to be coming on that route and beyond. Collenette's High Speed Rail study hinted at a new alignment. Perhaps that was just wishful thinking - but someone really ought to be planning rail capacity across Southern Ontario. That's an urban planning/ land use question as much as a transit/transportation question. ML's (eventual) extension of 2WAD to Kitchener is a start, but between the opportunity to expand connectivity to Pearson Airport and the potential for express rail that may be incompatible with the ML 2WAD infrastructure, there is a lot more to be worked on here. And the pressure on the 401 speaks to how badly this is needed.

- Paul