Throughout the past year, the LRT construction has progressed steadily in Waterloo.
The overall Ion Construction in Ontario includes installing 45 kilometres of new underground pipe, followed by the installation of approximately 36,000 metres of LRT track and 56,000 square metres of new sidewalk.
Specifically, in uptown Waterloo, there is work being done in four key areas, as explained Melissa Ricci, construction liaison officer with GrandLinq Contractors.
These four areas include Caroline Street from Erb Street to Allen Street, Allen Street from Caroline Street to King Street, King Street from William Street to Erb Street, and King Street from William Street to Union Street.
Additional closures in uptown Waterloo in the coming months will be the intersection at William Street and King Street for the installation of LRT Tracks, once Caroline Street and Erb Street is reopened.
“So far, the weather in Spring and Summer has been very favourable. So we’re excited to say that we’re tracking well and expecting to meet our schedule commitment in uptown Waterloo,” said Ricci.
GrandLinq has also recognized the temporary challenges for local businesses that LRT Construction may have caused.
“We are committed to finding solutions to the challenges of construction by providing accurate information to the community and to businesses,” said Ricci.
GrandLinq, working alongside Uptown BIA, sends out regular construction updates to uptown businesses to ensure that information is accurate.
In addition, GrandLinq has a community relations team that is available to communicate with business owners to regularly address any concerns, as required.
This past year, GrandLinq has participated in sponsorship initiatives to promote that businesses remain open.
“This year, we provided 20,000 dollars to Uptown BIA. We also provided customer directional maps to approximately 30 businesses,” said Ricci.
The maps were posted on the Uptown BIA website and were available to customers in Uptown Waterloo. They outlined the closures and ways to navigate construction.
Parking spots in the Caroline North parking lot and St. John’s Lutheran Church lot have been secured for customers who are shopping in uptown during the construction.
“We understand the importance of [the] holiday shopping season for businesses in uptown Waterloo. As a result, we are pleased to report we are working, [despite] the challenges, we are on track to complete this construction in time for Christmas shopping season,” said Ricci.
The LRT is expected to be in service by 2018, with construction wrapping up by 2017.
