Gladstone/Little Italy O-Train Station
On June 27 the DCA sent a letter to Councillors Holmes and Hobbs (since both abut the Otrain corridor) pointing out the merit of installing an O-train station near Gladstone Avenue in 2014 as part of the O-train expansion project. (you can read that letter by going back a few posts on this website).
Subsequently, Councillor Holmes wrote to a number of city bureaucrats pointing out the merits of examining a station there in 2014.
In August, Councillor Hobbs put forward a motion at Transportation Committee:
As you may know, the City is building a passing track just north of the future Gladstone Station on the O-Train line as part of the $59 million upgrade that will increase service from every 15 minutes to every 8 minutes. With the information on the cost of a study to use Gladstone Station as the passing track, I will work with my colleagues on council including Councillor Holmes to fund the study and the construction. During construction of the first phase of the LRT project the O-Train will serve as a major component of diverted Transitway service, which is part of the reason for moving ahead with this improvement ahead of the Transportation Masterplan schedule. The text of the inquiry follows. Council approved $59M on June 22nd to increase O-Train service from a 15 minute to 8 minute frequency, requiring an additional passing track, currently planned to be north of the proposed Gladstone Station. The city’s long term plan envisions an LRT station at Gladstone. What funds would be necessary for a study to calculate the benefits and cost of constructing Gladstone Station as part of this project? In particular, such a study would seek to see what cost savings could be realized by building the passing track and station as one project, and what tax revenues can be gained from earlier redevelopment as per the Carling-Bayview LRT CDP at Gladstone Station. In addition, such a study would comment on the feasibility of adding the station to the work plan, and any impact of the construction on operability of the O-Train.
The DCA is pleased with the efforts by both Councillors to push this item forward. Our neighborhoods won't see improvements if we simply wait for the bureaucracy to offer us something. Instead, we have to push our agenda forward. This includes intensification along the O-Train corridor and better O-Train service.
Subsequently, Councillor Holmes wrote to a number of city bureaucrats pointing out the merits of examining a station there in 2014.
In August, Councillor Hobbs put forward a motion at Transportation Committee:
As you may know, the City is building a passing track just north of the future Gladstone Station on the O-Train line as part of the $59 million upgrade that will increase service from every 15 minutes to every 8 minutes. With the information on the cost of a study to use Gladstone Station as the passing track, I will work with my colleagues on council including Councillor Holmes to fund the study and the construction. During construction of the first phase of the LRT project the O-Train will serve as a major component of diverted Transitway service, which is part of the reason for moving ahead with this improvement ahead of the Transportation Masterplan schedule. The text of the inquiry follows. Council approved $59M on June 22nd to increase O-Train service from a 15 minute to 8 minute frequency, requiring an additional passing track, currently planned to be north of the proposed Gladstone Station. The city’s long term plan envisions an LRT station at Gladstone. What funds would be necessary for a study to calculate the benefits and cost of constructing Gladstone Station as part of this project? In particular, such a study would seek to see what cost savings could be realized by building the passing track and station as one project, and what tax revenues can be gained from earlier redevelopment as per the Carling-Bayview LRT CDP at Gladstone Station. In addition, such a study would comment on the feasibility of adding the station to the work plan, and any impact of the construction on operability of the O-Train.
The DCA is pleased with the efforts by both Councillors to push this item forward. Our neighborhoods won't see improvements if we simply wait for the bureaucracy to offer us something. Instead, we have to push our agenda forward. This includes intensification along the O-Train corridor and better O-Train service.
Hello to the DCA! For our story on this, read Ottawa This Week newspaper's Sept. 1 edition, or see the story online here: http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/1073297--gladstone-o-train-stop-a-possibility
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Laura Mueller
Political Reporter, Metroland Ottawa/Ottawa This Week
laura.mueller@metroland.com
Thanks for pushing this forward, DCA. It's a huge benefit to the community.
ReplyDelete