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About the project
Metrolinx is bringing two-way all-day rail service on the Kitchener GO rail line as part of its 2041 Regional Transportation Plan. These improvements are in line with the City’s Strategic Plan: Guelph. Future ready, which supports local transportation improvements, integration with regional transit and transportation connectivity.
Increasing the frequency and speed of GO trains may require changes at several road-level rail crossings in Guelph to meet safety regulations and current design standards in accordance with Transport Canada’s Railway Safety Act. It’s also important to consider traffic flow and connectivity for all road users.
Between 2022 and 2023, we studied five rail crossings:
- Alma Street between Crimea and Inkerman streets
- Edinburgh Road between Foster Avenue and Preston/Inkerman streets
- Yorkshire Street between Foster Avenue and Preston Street
- Glasgow Street at Kent Street
- Watson Road just north of York Road
The study also looked at and evaluated options for an active transportation (e.g. foot bridge) connection across the rail line at Cityview Drive, Dublin Street and Margaret Greene Park.
To find the best solution for each crossing we looked at the unique context of each one and our city’s overall transportation network. The options we explored for each crossing included:
- doing nothing (leave the crossing as is);
- grade separation between a street or path and the railway tracks (an underpass or overpass);
- active transportation crossings for people walking and biking, either at grade or with a grade separation;
- closing the crossing.
Ultimately, this study aims to:
- provide recommendations for safe connections for people who walk, bike, use mobility devices and drive across the railway tracks;
- assess the impacts of potential changes to the level rail crossings to the transportation network; and
- recommend suitable solutions for more detailed study to mitigate any negative impacts.
This is a City of Guelph led project, with results being shared with Metrolinx when the study is complete.
What is the rail crossing study concluding?
The rail crossing study was the earliest stage of determining if and where grade separation between road and rail should be considered. Only Edinburgh Road was identified for further study.
Edinburgh Road crossing meets some warrants of the Transport Canada Grade Separation Assessment Guidelines. The warrants indicate there are safety and traffic considerations that support grade separation, but does not commit the City to building one.
The rail crossing study recommends the City conduct an Environmental Assessment to evaluate potential alternatives for addressing the safety and traffic considerations.