Concern over rust staining and graffiti
Posted Apr 25, 2012 04:00:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A project that will see a CN rail crossing built over a lowered and widened Weber Street is raising some concerns.
Tonight, Regional staff will report back to councillors about concerns raised to the Planning & Works committee last month.
Councillors took issue on two fronts. First, the materials to be used in the bridge construction could stain the sidewalks as they weather. Secondly, there was concern over how easily graffiti could be removed.
Staff is reporting back that a rainfall runoff collection system will send water from the structure straight into the roadway storm sewer system. Also, that the lay-out of the structure, “will make it very difficult for vandals,” to access it, as written in this weeks council meeting agenda.
The architectural enhancements, designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects Ltd., were otherwise supported at the March 20th Planning & Works meeting. The enhancements include textured concrete on part of the retaining walls, made to look like felt, leather, wood, and buttons, to reflect the historic manufacturing industries of the area.
Also proposed are some features to let train passengers know they’re getting close to the future site of the multi-modal station, and for drivers and walkers to know they are entering the downtown core of Kitchener.
“Fluted concrete posts and decorative lighting on the western bridge abutments of the structure… matching smaller scale posts and lighting will be installed at the ends of the upper retaining walls,” as written in Region of Waterloo’s staff report, dated March 20th.
Construction on the “Weber Street/CN railway grade separation structure,” is planned to begin in 2013 and set to be done by late 2014.
Also on the agenda for tonight, is the region starting the process of expropriating — or buying — properties along Weber Street between Wilhelm Street and Guelph Street for the Weber Street widening project.
