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ION TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS EXPANSION
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ION TAKES ANOTHER
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STEP TOWARDS EXPANSION
The decision means the region can start seeking out funding from senior levels of government for the line extension to Cambridge. Stage 2 of Waterloo Region’s ION light rail project took another step toward reality on June 21. The region announced that the Ontario government had approved its Transit Project Assessment for the line extension. The move means that the region can now begin the process of seeking funding from the provincial and federal governments to advance the project towards construction. “We’re thrilled to be able to proceed with delivering Stage 2 of ION light rail transit to residents in Waterloo Region,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Stage 1 has been an incredible success getting people to where they need to go in a fast, reliable and affordable way. We’re committed to providing this much-needed service to community members in Cambridge.” Stage 2 ION will see ION bus service replaced by LRT, creating a continuous LRT system across the region’s three urban centres through 18 kilometers of light rail and eight stations ending at the future light rail station in downtown Cambridge. The extension will nearly double the number of kilometres on the line.
When approving LRT in 2011, the Stage 2 ION route and stop locations between Cambridge and Kitchener were endorsed by Regional Council. The full preferred route for Stage 2 ION was endorsed by council in June 2019. Stage 1 of the ION line opened exactly two years to the day before this most recent Stage 2 announcement—on June 21, 2019. Since then, millions of rides have taken place along 19 kilometers of light rail and 19 stations between Conestoga Station in Waterloo to Fairway Station in Kitchener. “The City of Cambridge is excited about this milestone that brings us closer to seeing rapid transit in our community,” said Cambridge mayor Kathryn McGarry. “ION will give Cambridge residents a convenient and sustainable alternative to travelling by car and move people seamlessly not only between the other two urban centres, but to the many businesses and amenities within our own community. When finished, ION will help create an even more connected and inclusive Waterloo Region.”
By 2051, Waterloo Region’s population is expected to reach more than 900,000 residents.
Along with providing a safe mode of transportation, light rail has also fostered local economic development. The region says the line has helped create more than $3.5 billion worth of investment in the central transit corridor.
“Stage 1 saw clear economic benefits and investment along the ION corridor,” said Greg Durocher, President and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to be one step closer to seeing these same economic benefits in Cambridge.”
