'We'll be in the ground in 2025': Region of Waterloo says Kitchener Transit Hub is on track
The Region of Waterloo is confident they are on the right track when it comes to Kitchener’s new Central Transit Hub.
The upcoming project aims to move the VIA and GO Train station to the corner of King Street and Victoria Street and integrate ION and Grand River Transit (GRT) services at the new facility. The region said there will also be improved active transportation routes when the project is complete.
“We're moving forward with a transformative project for not just downtown Kitchener, but our connection with the Waterloo-Toronto Innovation Corridor,” said Karen Redman, Chair of Region of Waterloo.
The project timeline calls for the design to be completed by the end of 2024 with construction starting 2025.
“We're sitting today at 95 per cent design on the region's portion of the project,” said Doug Spooner, Acting Commissioner of Transportation with the Region of Waterloo.
“We’ll be in the ground in 2025,” Spooner added.
If everything goes according to plan, Spooner said it is possible to have a new transit hub by the end of the decade.
“Really what we're looking at today is an overall update aiming at a 2029 opening date for Kitchener Central so that we'll be able to enjoy this new facility and all of the options that come along with it.”
The scope of work for the Kitchener Central Transit Hub includes:
- the design and development of a transportation hub building
- a pedestrian bridge over King Street
- a bus loop for GRT and GO transit
- a pedestrian ramp
- a parking lot
- stormwater management
- site development
Before that happens the Region of Waterloo needs to finalize a deal with Metrolinx and secure funding from the province and federal government.
Construction will begin on the non-heritage part of the Rumpel Felt building.
The region said it has no immediate plans to use the piece of land at the corner of Victoria Street and Weber Street where a large encampment currently sits.
Redman said it’s a situation they continue to work on.
“It's always been the focus of the region, that we will reach out to those people, we will provide them with information and services and we will continue to do that. Making sure that we have their welfare is always central to those discussions.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pressure rises on federal government to intervene in Canada Post strike
The business community is ramping up pressure on the federal government to intervene in the ongoing Canada Post strike, which is on its 20th day.
Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman
Canada's ambassador to the U.S. insists it's a good sign U.S. president-elect Donald Trump feels 'comfortable' joking with Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
South Korea's opposition parties submit a motion to impeach President Yoon over sudden martial law
South Korea's opposition parties Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over the shocking and short-lived martial law that drew heavily armed troops to encircle parliament before lawmakers climbed walls to re-enter the building and unanimously voted to lift his order.
From niche grocer to supermarket giant: How T&T plans to repeat success in the U.S.
Canada's biggest Asian grocery chain is expanding into the U.S., hoping to bring its patented array of food, skin care and more to a new market.
Search extends into the night for Pennsylvania woman who may have fallen into sinkhole
A grandmother looking for her lost cat apparently fell into a sinkhole that had recently opened above an abandoned western Pennsylvania coal mine and rescuers worked late into the night Tuesday to try and find her.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
Bad blood? Taylor Swift ticket dispute settled by B.C. tribunal
A B.C. woman and her daughter will be attending one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Vancouver – but only after a tribunal intervened and settled a dispute among friends over tickets.