What the region needs to get done before LRT launches in June
Running the LRT as a full system and tweaking gate crossings are on the region's to-do list
With the LRT launch on the horizon, Waterloo region still has a few items to check off the to-do list to ensure trains run smoothly on June 21.
Regional Coun. Tom Galloway told The Morning Edition the first order of business involves "burning-in" the LRT vehicles. That means making sure the vehicles have a certain amount of mileage before they are put into service.
Another important step is to practice running the LRT as a full system, which will happen days before the official launch.
"All the trains out there, running on a schedule as if there were people on them and that's the last part the testing process," Galloway said.
Vehicles meet standard
In 2018, staff experienced a few hiccups while testing the vehicles on the tracks.
Sometimes during testing, the vehicles would experience a glitch and the software used to run them needed to be rebooted, which took several minutes.
Galloway said 10 of the vehicles have passed the preliminary "acceptance" process, which means they met all the technical standards.
He said vehicles have to have final acceptance for the region to have full ownership. Three vehicles have reached final acceptance so far.
"The difference between preliminary and final is just the burn-in period," he said.
Galloway adds the main infrastructure for the LRT in K-W is done, but maintenance will continue.
The region still needs to fix some issues with a few of the railway gate arms at some crossings. He said the arms don't come up as quickly as they should.
Phase 2 in Cambridge
Galloway said Cambridge council approved the route for phase two of the project, except for a portion in the Preston area.
He said staff will consult with the Cambridge community about the final design of the LRT route.
Once the route has been approved by council, the environmental assessment for the project would need approval from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
"Once the minister approves the environmental assessment, then we have formally a project that we can apply for funding," he said.
Bombardier penalties
Galloway adds the region intends to deduct the liquidated damages from the overall cost of the LRT vehicles.
He said it won't cover the whole cost of the vehicles or the costs that were added due to the delays, and anticipates it could take several years to resolve.
"We have put them on notice through a tolling agreement that we will be looking for further damages," Galloway said, adding the region may have to litigate the issue with Bombardier.