- Sections :
- More
ION Groundbreaking...Getting Ready For Tremendous Change In The Way WeTravel Within The Region
ION celebrated a historic moment in August as community members and officials took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of ION Stage 1 Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction. The event took place at the future home of ION's Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility on Dutton Drive in Waterloo.
On hand for the ceremony was Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs; the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation; Ken Seiling, Regional Chair; members of Regional Council; and officials from GrandLinq.
The groundbreaking marked a significant milestone in the implementation of ION, as the Region's rapid transit service moves closer to beginning operation in 2017.
All three levels of government are funding Stage 1 ION, including $300 million from the Province of Ontario, one-third of eligible costs up to $265 million from the Government of Canada, through the Building Canada Fund, and $253 million from the Region of Waterloo.
Future ION rider Caleb Boos
Regional Councillor Tom Galloway, Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities, Regional Chair Ken Seiling, Regional Councillor Jim Wideman, the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation, Michael O'Neill, General Manager of GrandLinq and Regional Councillor Sean Strickland.
Community members celebrate ION's groundbreaking
ION construction website
A new website dedicated to ION construction has just been launched. It features an interactive ION route map, information on ION stops as well as an opportunity to sign-up for regular construction updates. A link to Grand River Transit (GRT) is also included in construction updates for areas where construction may affect GRT service.
The website will include the most up-to-date information on all aspects of ION construction.
Visit the website at www.rideION.ca (link below)
Construction updates
ION LRT construction updates are available on the website for the following locations:
* The ION Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility at 518 Dutton in Waterloo
* The CN railway tracks, from Northfield to King South, in Waterloo
* Caroline in Waterloo between Erb and Allen
* Borden in Kitchener between Charles East and the CN Railway Tracks
View these updates at link below article.
Community People Talking ION video series
Talking ION is a new video series that features community members discussing various aspects of rapid transit in Waterloo Region. In the first clip, Alnoor Keshvani of LOOP in UpTown Waterloo talks about construction, Timbits and the long-term benefits of ION.
