The Region of Waterloo is investing in the future! A new rapid transit line will be in place by 2014 (aBRT first, then LRT in 2017) along the Central Transit Corridor, a central spine that connects Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.

To leverage this investment, the Region is creating a Community Building Strategy that identifies key directions for building communities and moving people within, to, and from this Corridor.

This Strategy will be developed with you, and for you. The Region and its local municipal partners would like to work closely with the diverse range of stakeholders along the Corridor to ensure their perspectives are understood, and the full opportunity offered by transit investment is captured.

Make sure your voice is heard! Check out upcoming events on the Get Involved page, visit in person at the Storefront, or visit the Your Say page to participate online!

THE DRAFT COMMUNITY BUILDING STRATEGY IS HERE!
Since February 2012, we have been working with the Region of Waterloo, the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo along with hundreds of stakeholders and community members to create the Community Building Strategy (CBS). A Draft CBS is now available and can be viewed to the right. Alternatively, the CBS can be downloaded by chapter here.

CBS Workbook
The CBS Workbook has been designed to provide an overview of the key directions in the report. It highlights where you can find further details on topic areas that may interest you. Your input at this stage is critical to us and will help us to prepare the Final CBS. So let us know what you think. Are there any additional ideas you think we should capture?

Scroll right to view the Workbook, click here to download and print the workbook for hard copy submission or here to fill out and submit your responses online.

Watch the CBS Video!
Check out our new video which outlines the key elements of the Community Building Strategy!

Rapid Transit

On June 15, 2011, Light Rail Transit (LRT) was approved by Council as the preferred long-term option for rapid transit in the region, and funding has been announced by both the provincial and federal governments.

Construction of the line will take place in stages to achieve maximum benefit at minimum cost, with the goal of bringing LRT to the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo over time. The first phase of rapid transit, planned for completion in 2014, will introduce adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall to Ainslie Street Terminal, with construction of LRT from Fairview Park Mall to Conestoga Mall to begin the same year.

Consultations have already taken place across Waterloo Region, which focussed on many aspects of rapid transit, and input from these events was a key consideration in determining the rapid transit route.

For information on other rapid transit developments in the Region of Waterloo, including the design of the line, please visit the Region of Waterloo’s Rapid Transit website.

The Community Building Strategy

The Central Transit Corridor Community Building Strategy is about evaluating the possibilities and potential for regional change and city-building as a result of the rapid transit line. The rapid transit line will provide enhanced mobility, place making, reurbanization, and opportunities to strengthen the region throughout the Corridor. The Community Building Strategy will be the framework that the Region, Cities, and communities will use to define these opportunities, demonstrate the scale and scope of change that is desirable, and provide direction on how best to maximize the city building potential.

Learn more about the Strategy and how you can get involved! Choose from the links in the menu at right.

The Process

The CTC Community Building Strategy will be complete by the end of December 2012. The process consists of four phases, with public consultation at each phase.

Through the process, we will be exploring many aspects of community building, including:

• Enhancing Mobility
• Creating Great Places
• Strengthening the Region
• Public & Green Spaces
• Celebrating Culture & Heritage
• And More!

We are currently in the third phase of the project – Describing a Strategy for the Corridor.

Find out how you can get involved!