The residents of Cambridge will be getting a rapid transit connection to the rest of Waterloo Region, but not for a while yet, with a new report showing that a full light-rail service (LRT) could be the best option for the city.
There is movement in the process as regional staff have completed the Initial Business Case (IBC), evaluating the best transit options for the project.
Various options were introduced, including full LRT, rapid bus routes in dedicated bus lanes (BRT), as well as various smaller, partial light-rail connections.
The IBC looked at the capital cost estimates and operating and maintenance costs. It also took into account economic and strategic benefits to the region.
It found that a full, light-rail connection would be the most expensive option to build, maintain, and operate, but would also deliver the highest benefits.
“I think that when we think about the partial LRT routes, those can absolutely be a construction strategy,” said Doug Spooner, acting commissioner, Transportation Services, Region of Waterloo. “We could choose to move through the project in phases like that, but I think at this point we’re hopeful for council’s support to put this together as an entire project.”
While it is important to know what the expected costs are going to be, according to Spooner, it’s not the most asked question.
“There are three dates that everyone wants to know: When are we procurement-ready? Which we’ve said we would be in 2028. When do we put shovels in the ground, and when does somebody take the first ride in service? At this point, we’re not willing to say that because there are so many steps in these two to three years that are so critical.”
The immediate next step is more public engagement, which includes a resident survey. Spooner says the engagement is crucial for the success of this next phase.
“What we’re looking for through this consultation is that we would like to stand in November and be able to tell council, this is what we want, we being the Region of Waterloo, broader. We’ll get a staff recommendation, but it will be really critical that the community tells us what they want out of this.”
The findings generated by the Region of Waterloo will now be introduced to regional council on Sept. 9. The public engagement data will then be included when a final recommendation is presented to Regional Council in November.
