Road rules change as Ion LRT construction nears completion

Now that most of the rail system is in place for the upcoming LRT, drivers are going to have to get used to new traffic rules in Waterloo region.

"There are streets that have been divided by tracks, some streets that can no longer be crossed like King Street and Charles Street as a couple of examples," said TomGalloway, chair of the planning and works committee and political lead for the LRT project.

Some intersections have prohibited left or right turns as well.

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Here are some traffic changes to lookfor:

No parking or driving on LRT tracks

On Jan.1, the Regionof Waterloo added a new by-law spelling out that drivers are not allowed to park or stop on LRT tracks.

Any vehicle stopped or parked anywhere along the LRT route will be fined or towed. It's also prohibited to drive on LRT tracks.

Drivers cancross over the tracks at intersections,but the LRT tracks are for LRT vehiclesonly.

Northfield Drive W.

Drivers won't be able to make left turns off of Northfield Drive due to a hard curb on either side of LRT tracks in the centre of the roadway.

Access to businesses or minor roads from the opposite side of Northfield Drive will be through a lightedintersection.

Drivers can make left turnsand U-turns at these lighted intersections in order to help drivers navigate the area.

Caroline and Erb

Though currently open, drivers will not be allowed to turn left from Caroline Street onto Erb Street. Only Grand River Transitbuses will be allowed to make that turn.

For drivers wanting to turn left onto Erb Streetfrom Caroline Street, the alternative is to turnonto Father David Bauer Driveto connect to Erb Street.

"It's going to be a little complicated because it's always been a complicated intersection, even before the [LRT] train," said Galloway.

Ottawa and Mill

Significant changes have been made to Mill Street in order to accommodate the LRT tracks. Left turns from Mill Streetonto Ottawa Streetare nowprohibited.

The alternative would be take CourtlandAvenue, instead of Mill Street, to turn left onto Ottawa Street. No right turns will be allowed when the train is passing through that intersection.

Courtlandand Block Line

Double left turn lanes have been added to help accommodate traffic, but right turns are no longer allowed on red lights from Block Line Roadto Courtland Avenue.

More changes to come

Gallowaysays getused to these new road rules now there's even more to come.

"It will be another level of learning once the trains start running, when they are being tested and when their service starts a year from now," he said.

The trains will have equipment on board that can trigger a change to traffic signals so that they can easily get through intersections and arrive and depart on time.

As well, some intersections will have a gate that will come down like at a level crossing while others will not, and it will be on the driver to watch for oncoming trains.