Notice of Study Commencement: Farmers Market Trail Feasibility Study and Detailed Design

In late 2016, the Region of Waterloo and City of Waterloo worked collaboratively to acquire funding through the Federal Government Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The funding is being used to examine an improved Trans Canada Trail (TCT) alignment between St. Jacob’s Farmers Market in Woolwich Township and the Research & Technology Park in Waterloo. The current TCT route in north Waterloo is a circuitous combination of on and off-road routes generally following Westmount and Benjamin Road. The improved alignment is a more direct connection generally following the Waterloo Spur Line, a functioning railway corridor owned by the Region of Waterloo and operated by CN Rail and Goderich Exeter Railway (GEXR). The improved alignment is identified in the Regional Cycling Master Plan and City of Waterloo Transportation Master Plan. The trail will connect people to the new ION system, Waterloo Central Railway and the market area. It will benefit residents, commuters and tourists using active transportation modes of travel.

The project has been broken out into two distinct portions based on the scope of work and desired outcome.

Stage One will develop the detailed design and estimated cost of a multi-use trail within the railway right-of-way between Farmers Market Road and Northfield Drive. The completed detailed design will position the City for future infrastructure funding opportunities when/should they arise.

Stage Two is a feasibility analysis for the TCT route between Northfield Drive and the Research and Technology Park. It will identify potential alternative routes, evaluate the alternatives, select a preferred route and prepare the preliminary design. The results of Stage Two will inform detailed design at a later date, yet to be determined.

For more information on this project, to submit comments or receive notification of a future Public Information Session later this fall, please contact:

Chris Hodgson, P. Eng.
Senior Project Engineer, City of Waterloo
T: 519-747-8791
E:christopher.hodgson@waterloo.ca

Jay Cranstone, B. Sc, MLA, OLA, CSLA|
Project Manager, WSP Group Canada LTD.
T: 519-904-1755
E:jay.cranstone@wsp.com

Visit the project web page at waterloo.ca/transcanada.