Finished trail connects city amenities to transit services

Waterloo Region – A newly completed trail in Waterloo Region is providing important connections to transit and the wider pedestrian and cycling network.

The Central Station Trail connects the Iron Horse Trail and Central ION Station in downtown Kitchener and the future transit hub to be located at King and Victoria Streets. It also connects to the Trans Canada Trail and Kitchener’s downtown cycling network.

The 1.5-kilometre trail features lighting and will be winter-maintained to support sustainable transportation year-round.

The federal government contributed $380,000 to this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). This trail was also supported as part of a larger $2.5-million investment through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) into active transportation improvements in the Region of Waterloo. The Region of Waterloo contributed $1,553,932 towards the Central Station Trail through PTIF and ICIP, and the Government of Ontario contributed $317,343 through ICIP. The City of Kitchener and Perimeter Developments were also valuable contributors and champions of this initiative.

For more information on Central Station Trail, watch a short video on YouTube.

Quotes:

“Central Station trail offers a vital link between the Iron Horse Trail, Central ION Station, and the future transit hub at King and Victoria Streets. Investments in active transportation ensure that Canadians have affordable transportation options that also promote healthy living and reduce congestion on roadways.”

Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

“Our government is proud to support local infrastructure projects that will lay the foundation for strong, vibrant communities and make a real difference in people’s lives. This project is part of our most ambitious capital plan to invest more than $191 billion over the next decade to build and expand highways, transit, homes, high-speed internet and other critical infrastructure that will support economic growth.”

Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure.

“Our investment in and commitment to Central Station Trail shows how the Region is prioritizing climate aligned growth. This trail provides an important link between city amenities and regional transit with improved active transportation options, year-round.”

Karen Redman, Regional Chair, Region of Waterloo

“The Central Station Trail connects directly into our Downtown Kitchener active transportation network, providing a straight-line connection to the future transit hub site. Integrating ION LRT into our growing networks of active transportation infrastructure means that people can walk, cycle and roll across both Kitchener and throughout Waterloo Region.”

Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener

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