News roundup: July 5, 2026

By Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Here’s the latest in walking, biking, and transit news for Waterloo Region.

What's happening

• ROUNDABOUT SAFETY: The Region of Waterloo has a survey open about its roundabout pedestrian safety pilot (CityNews).
• GO TO STRATFORD: Take the first weekday GO trains (Stratford Today) from Kitchener to Stratford and back next Saturday or Sunday!
  • PRESTO cards won’t work yet - GO has info on payments and schedules
• WOOLWICH HOUSING: The Township of Woolwich is putting together an Affordable Housing Policy, and community input is open until July 10.

Walking, biking, and streets

• CTV News: Cycling advocates warn auto insurance changes leave some road users exposed
• CBC: Teen driver charged after man on lawnmower killed by car going 191 km/h in North Dumfries area
• CTV News: Seven fatal crashes in Waterloo Region in first six months of 2026
• CityNews: Neuron e-scooters being removed from Waterloo Region after acquisition by Lime Technology
  • In a news release, the Region announced that they are planning to work with Lime on the deployment of Lime vehicles.
• The Community Edition: Roaming the Region - Exploring Waterloo Region on two wheels
• CTV News: City of Kitchener to consider using AI to analyze potholes
• CTV News: Extreme heat causes sidewalks to buckle in Kitchener
• The Record: Ontario targets more land, higher speeds as new Highway 7 inches forward without a completion date

Transit

• CityNews: Heat wave, ‘sun kinks’ on tracks slowing down GO Transit train service

The shape of our cities

• The Record: New Kitchener official plan prepares for 25 years of growth, up to 450,000 residents
• City of Kitchener: Victoria Park Master Plan outlines a roadmap for the future of Victoria Park
• Wellesley Township’s new official plan will be up for approval on July 20
• Wilmot Township’s new official plan will be up for approval on July 27

Elsewhere

• CTV News: Canadians divided over Alto high-speed rail as government priority: Nanos survey
• Global News: Metrolinx splits unfinished Hazel McCallion LRT work into 2 contracts
• CBC: Guelph creating 3D digital map of street trees to help grow urban canopy
• Infrastory: Canada learned how to be good at nuclear. To get better at infrastructure, we must be willing to learn
• Planetizen: The argument AGAINST fare-free transit. If a terrible bus becomes free, will it truly free you?
  • Planetizen: The argument FOR fare-free transit. When the barrier to entry drops to zero, magic can happen.
• Be Giant: Hidden Canadian passageways are helping wildlife cross the road – and saving lives