Wider sidewalks, bike lanes approved for Victoria Street ahead of new transit hub

A design update has officially been approved through Region of Waterloo council, pushing to better align Victoria Street North with the upcoming Kitchener Central Transit Hub (KCTH).

This comes after the region shared its original concepts for the ambitious transit hub earlier in December as discussions grew throughout the year for the need for safer and more transit-focused options.

The update will primarily focus on Victoria Street between Weber and King Streets, with various upgrades being put in place, including:

• Wider sidewalks
• Separated two-way cycle track
• Transit priority lanes
• Single lanes in each direction for vehicles

“The planning for KCTH created an opportunity for the region to plan a roadway that has higher person capacity by facilitating higher quality connections to the transit hub through walking, cycling, and using transit,” said the region in a report.

The new transportation options will also provide first and last-mile connections to Kitchener Central. The overall plans are expected to cost approximately $35 million, with $33 million set to come directly from the provincial government.

“By better accommodating transit and active transportation, the preferred preliminary design will support growth because the street will have significantly higher person carrying capacity,” said the region.

In line with the redesign, council also approved the sale of a small parcel of land near Victoria and King Streets to Metrolinx for $1.4 million, which it says will begin construction on the new Kitchener Central Transit Hub.

Construction efforts will also include the demolition of the Rumpel Felt building, with the historic aspects of the building’s design set to be kept intact. The surrounding lands are said to be developed once construction is completed on the project, with regional staff saying they anticipate opportunities for commercial properties and affordable housing.

Nothing has been mentioned as to the future of the homeless encampment at 100 Victoria Street, with advocates currently calling on the region to not evict those located on the site. Fight Back KW issued a call after a recent Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee meeting, which specified that, in order for construction on the new hub to be completed, the encampment would be cleared.

The region responded in a statement, saying it is “focused on supporting those experiencing homelessness throughout Waterloo Region and increasing access to housing for all.”

Council says construction on the project is expected to begin in 2025, set to be completed in 2029, with the grand opening in 2030.