Staff Report #8
April 24, 2024
To All Commissioners
Re: 2024 Work Program – Planning – First Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
The following report is provided as an update on major Planning projects as set out in the 2024 Work Program that are ongoing in nature and/or were scheduled to commence and/or be completed over the first quarter of 2024, with the lead on same being the primary responsibility of the Planning department.
2.1 – Participate on the BRT Steering Committee and Technical Committee
As set out in Staff Report #10 dated April 24, 2024, construction continues along both the East London Link and Wellington Gateway Rapid Transit corridors. In addition, the first prototype shelter is scheduled to begin installation later in April at the Ontario and King RT station. Work is scheduled to take approximately 4 days to complete the full installation of the passenger waiting area, amenities cabinet and Obelisk. The installation of the prototype will allow members of the Steering and Technical Committees the opportunity to see a full sized station in place, in order to make any minor design modifications as necessary in advance of future station installations. Stations along the Downtown loop and East London Link I are scheduled to be installed by the end of 2024.
Work is also progressing on finalizing bylaw requirements, traffic signals and regulatory signage along the counter-flow lane on King Street. Once this work is completed (anticipated for September 2024), Route 94 will commence operations along King between Ontario and Wellington travelling both eastbound and westbound in the Bus Only Lanes and serving the RT stations.
12.7 – Bus Stop Lighting Program (ICIP)
A Request for Quotation was issued for the installation of the concreate pads required for the solar lighting as well as the installation of the lights at 150 locations. Eleven bids were received with 14D Construction being the successful proponent, noting the total cost was within administrative approval limits. The contract will also include the installation of the new shelter pads and accessibility pad locations required as part of the 2024 concrete pad program. All work is scheduled to be completed by November 2024.
12.8 – Transit Master Upgrade
The Transit Master system which runs the CAD/AVLC for bus tracking and communications was due for an upgrade, noting the last upgrade of the system was in 2017. The upgrade took place overnight from Saturday April 6 until bus pull out on Sunday April 7. The system is being closely monitored for two weeks following the implementation to be able to address any operational concerns with the upgrade. To date, the system is working as expected with enhanced features for detour implementation. Additional functionality for showing detour routings and temporary stop locations on real-time are scheduled to be available for the public by the end of June 2024.
Recommended by:
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager