The widening of Weber Street and the construction of the estimated 1 million square foot Transit Hub in Kitchener are two of the "big-ticket" items in the implementation of the LRT in Kitchener - Waterloo.
Some surprises have emerged as politicians take almost 100 pieces of land for road widening or to install street-level trains.
On Charles Street East in Kitchener, regional government has discovered a small, vacant strip that might not belong to anybody.
The property has no address. Its owner died more than 50 years ago. No heir has been found. By law, two neighbours may now control it.
Council needs less than one square metre to make way for trains. Regional government may have to ask a court to determine ownership, according to a government report.
On Weber Street West in Kitchener, politicians began to expropriate a piece of land for a transit-related road widening — only to discover that taxpayers already own it.
A 40-year title search revealed it’s in the road allowance, ending the expropriation.
Land-taking is among several steps approved Tuesday by councillors to advance the $818-million rail transit project and related works.
They also voted to:
• Hire an expert provincial agency, Infrastructure Ontario, for almost $4 million to help implement rail transit as a public-private partnership.
• Select international law firm Norton Rose Canada to help them prepare bid documents and guide implementation. Legal bills could reach $1 million.
In related works, councillors:
• Voted to complete 28 land-takings to widen Weber Street West to four lanes between College and Guelph streets in Kitchener. Construction is planned in 2013 and 2014 as part of a $51-million widening needed in part to carry traffic displaced by nearby trains.
• Reviewed the latest plans for a central transit facility at King and Victoria streets in Kitchener. It will mix Grand River Transit and rail transit with intercity buses and trains. The project has cost just over $7 million to date.
Demolition began there Tuesday on a former commercial building. A heritage report under review behind closed doors will help determine the fate of the former Rumpel Felt factory on the site.
Wideman expects the transit redevelopment could reach one million square feet, with commercial floors above transit floors. Estimated costs are expected in 2013.
Kitchener council will soon be asked to close Waterloo Street at the site and to amend land-use regulations to allow the redevelopment.
Senior governments are putting $565 million into rail transit while local taxpayers contribute $253 million funded by tax increases. The project aims to draw buildings and people to central neighbourhoods and to persuade more people to get out of their cars.
Latest timeline
Shovels may be in the ground this fall and in 2013 to relocate underground utilities in Kitchener and Waterloo.
Construction is planned in 2013 to prepare Cambridge for enhanced buses fully launched in 2014.
Track construction launches in 2014 in Kitchener and Waterloo. A private partner is selected in 2014. Construction could launch on the central transit hub in Kitchener.
Trains launch in 2017 and the central transit hub opens.
Some surprises have emerged as politicians take almost 100 pieces of land for road widening or to install street-level trains.
On Charles Street East in Kitchener, regional government has discovered a small, vacant strip that might not belong to anybody.
The property has no address. Its owner died more than 50 years ago. No heir has been found. By law, two neighbours may now control it.
Council needs less than one square metre to make way for trains. Regional government may have to ask a court to determine ownership, according to a government report.
On Weber Street West in Kitchener, politicians began to expropriate a piece of land for a transit-related road widening — only to discover that taxpayers already own it.
A 40-year title search revealed it’s in the road allowance, ending the expropriation.
Land-taking is among several steps approved Tuesday by councillors to advance the $818-million rail transit project and related works.
They also voted to:
• Hire an expert provincial agency, Infrastructure Ontario, for almost $4 million to help implement rail transit as a public-private partnership.
• Select international law firm Norton Rose Canada to help them prepare bid documents and guide implementation. Legal bills could reach $1 million.
In related works, councillors:
• Voted to complete 28 land-takings to widen Weber Street West to four lanes between College and Guelph streets in Kitchener. Construction is planned in 2013 and 2014 as part of a $51-million widening needed in part to carry traffic displaced by nearby trains.
• Reviewed the latest plans for a central transit facility at King and Victoria streets in Kitchener. It will mix Grand River Transit and rail transit with intercity buses and trains. The project has cost just over $7 million to date.
Demolition began there Tuesday on a former commercial building. A heritage report under review behind closed doors will help determine the fate of the former Rumpel Felt factory on the site.
Wideman expects the transit redevelopment could reach one million square feet, with commercial floors above transit floors. Estimated costs are expected in 2013.
Kitchener council will soon be asked to close Waterloo Street at the site and to amend land-use regulations to allow the redevelopment.
Senior governments are putting $565 million into rail transit while local taxpayers contribute $253 million funded by tax increases. The project aims to draw buildings and people to central neighbourhoods and to persuade more people to get out of their cars.
Latest timeline
Shovels may be in the ground this fall and in 2013 to relocate underground utilities in Kitchener and Waterloo.
Construction is planned in 2013 to prepare Cambridge for enhanced buses fully launched in 2014.
Track construction launches in 2014 in Kitchener and Waterloo. A private partner is selected in 2014. Construction could launch on the central transit hub in Kitchener.
Trains launch in 2017 and the central transit hub opens.
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