Creating capacity to provide more services.
Metrolinx identified the need for an expansion of rail service on the Kitchener line by extending two trains from the previous terminus at Georgetown GO (Halton Hills) to forward serve stops in Acton, Guelph, and Kitchener. The result was the development of the new train layover facility accommodating four 12-car consists on a 8.7 acre brownfield property located in the City of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The site includes a GO bus facility to service and store buses operating in the western region of the GO System. The joint-use development will provide operational benefits and reduced capital for on-going maintenance costs.
As the successful consultant selected for the project, Ausenco provided complete detailed engineering design, permitting, contract administration, and construction supervision. The $19M development includes four new storage tracks accommodating double headed twelve-car consists, complete with new mainline switches, and switch snow clearing devices.
Site work design included the overall site development, demolition of existing buildings, environmental remediation, storm water management, all new underground utilities, entrance roadway, parking, fencing, security gates, landscaping, maintenance buildings, and signage.
A 6m elevation variation across the existing site resulted in extensive grading work. The proximity of the adjacent neighbouring properties required the purchase of additional land parcels to fit the layover onto the site. The civil design work was challenging and required significant retaining wall design at each end of the layover in order to achieve the required track layout and grades, while minimizing disruption to the adjacent land owners.
The electrical design included the new site service and substation building complete with transformer, electrical distribution, and wayside power system to accommodate the four 12-car consists, and to power the new bus facility. Back-up power is maintained through a 600 kW diesel fuelled generator and automatic transfer switch to maintain all critical systems.
The site incorporates energy efficient high mast LED lighting and local lighting at wayside power cabinets controlled by motion sensors. Communication systems include fire alarm system, CCTV, security, data, and telephone. Wayside power includes train jumper cables, power cables, and an energy management system with digital controller.
Mechanical design services included new air compressors, enclosures, underground piping to wayside cabinets, hose reel connections to trains, and rail drip trays complete with oil / water separators and stop valves.
Construction of the layover facility was completed in early 2017.