Region moves one step closer to building new transit hub in Kitchener

Waterloo region moved one step closer to building the new transit hub in Kitchener with officials unveiling the newest design plans on Thursday.

At the last public consultation in 2020, two concepts were presented to the public for input, and as a result of the feedback received through that, regional council endorsed 'concept A' on June 3 for further design development.

Project director Ellen McGaghey says that work has now been completed and the public is once again being invited to review the updated design and provide comments and feedback for consideration.

"The feedback will be gathered using a design survey, which will be posted on the Engage Waterloo Region project platform today and through a virtual public meeting that will be held on Dec. 3rd," McGaghey said.

"On Dec. 3rd, once people have had an opportunity to look at the drawings, we'll be holding a virtual public meeting … and we'll have the project architect and project team members providing a walk-through of the updated designs and answering questions."

The hub would be located at the corner of King Street and Victoria Street. The project is expected to go out for tender in early spring of 2021 and it's expected that construction will begin later in the year.

McGaghey said the new hub is "one more way that the region can work to help the environment, because whether you are walking, cycling or taking public transit, you're reducing your carbon footprint."

Hub to offer various transit connections

Coun. Tom Galloway said one purpose of the new hub is to connect people and businesses within the Toronto and Waterloo region innovation corridor, making the region more attractive for investment and easily accessible to a larger geographic group.

"Moving forward with this design brings us one step closer to building a transit hub that offers connections to all modes of transit, including local buses, ION, GO trains Via, inter-city bus, taxis, cyclists and of course pedestrians — all in one convenient location, drastically improving the user experience," Galloway said.

He said the design is the result of inputs from more than 25 stakeholder groups including residents.

"The new transit hub will change the way people connect with Waterloo region," Galloway said.