The domes at King and Victoria Streets in downtown Kitchener are meant to shield the complicated LRT construction from the harsh winter elements. But the domes still aren’t completed, and the delays could cost the region.
The domes are estimated to cost one to two million dollars. The final cost can’t be calculated until the domes are complete.
“We still have to determine exactly where this cost is because there were some delays in this area. Depending on who is responsible for those delays, (they) would pay for the cost,” said Thomas Schmidt, transportation commissioner for the Region of Waterloo.
GrandLinq needs the domes so it can catch up on delays in the project. If the region ends up paying for the delays the funds would come from the region’s $10 million LRT contingency fund. The region hasn’t said how much of the fun has been spent so far.
“There's pluses and minuses that happen on that, so it’s a constantly changing number,” said Schmidt.
The dome frames are expected to be covered by the middle of February, but some are wondering if they are necessary given the warm winter we have had so far.
A spokesperson for GrandLinq says yes.
"The dome will provide a climate controlled environment allowing us to complete temperature sensitive work on the King Street Grade Separation regardless of weather," Avril Fisken said in a statement to CTV News.
“Even rain will stop them from doing work, so this does provide them that ability to work continuously from now until May,” Schmidt said.
If the weather continues to stay mild through the winter and spring, the projected cost of the domes will be lower because they will require less heat.
