Week in review: August 14, 2016

Consultations and feedback deadlines:

• MOVING FORWARD: What are your priorities for transportation in Waterloo Region?
• CLIMATE: Federal Climate Action Consultation on August 19
• ZONING: Comments on Kitchener’s proposed changes due August 26
• INTERCITY: How should the province regulate intercity buses and ride-sharing? (due August 31)
• MAPS: Regional cycling map, first edition in need of feedback
• ACCESS: Where should Cambridge build its new sports multiplex?

ION light rail

• MYTH-BUSTING: Light rail won’t mean fare hikes
• ECONOMIC GROWTH: Conference Board of Canada says light rail construction has Waterloo Region leading growth among smaller census metropolitan areas
• PROGRESS: Light rail by the numbers
• NETWORK: ION just one gear in larger machine
• PETITION: Pedestrian access for Traynor-Vanier community needed
• BRT: Cambridge mayor floats express buses instead of light rail for city
• CLOSURES:
  • Block Line Road to close as light rail construction continues
  • Lane and intersection closures around Grand River Hospital

Grand River Transit

• PLANNING: Interim report on GRT’s next business plan
• COVERAGE: New bus route to the Family Centre approved
• AFFORDABILITY: Study aims to boost Waterloo Region’s affordable transit program
• MODAL SHIFT: Travelwise program aims to get commuters out of their cars

Bicycling

• ANALYSIS: Many bike trips are short, local, and under-counted
• SURPRISES: Drivers prefer protected bike lanes too
• RIDE: BikeKitchener infrastructure ride August 17
• PILOT: Bloor Street protected bike lanes open in Toronto

Vision Zero

• PREVENTABLE: 6 year old girl in hospital after being struck by car on Ira Needles

Land use

• PARKING: Urban planners’ new enemy?
• DEVELOPMENT: How can we make Kitchener’s new tall buildings fit well into our city?