Metrolinx EA Complete – Project Approved

UPDATE October 6, 2009: The Metrolinx expansion has been approved by the Minister of the Environment. More info here.

UPDATE August 19, 2009: Metrolinx has a public consultation form for the electrification of the rail – you can find it here:

Electrification public consultation form

PREVIOUSLY: Thanks to the hard work of Joe Pantalone and our provincial and federal politicians – not to mention community pressure – Metrolinx and the city have come to a compromise on the Strachan Avenue Overpass. Visuals from Metrolinx:

Visuals from Metrolinx of the proposed new Strachan Overpass.

Visuals from Metrolinx of the proposed new Strachan Overpass.

We’re very encouraged by this development, and are still determined to see our campaign through and make sure that any solution is the right one for our community.

On June 1, Metrolinx released Part 2 of the EPR, which can be viewed here [pdf]. They outline 4 options they’ve considered, and are now recommending Alternative D [pdf] – a modification of the city’s original plan. We’ve also posted a new page with excerpts and images of this alternative:

http://strachanbridge.com/metrolinx-epr-part-2-summary-and-images/

More details and images:

The existing roadway looking east on Douro / Wellington towards Strachan.

The existing roadway looking east on Douro / Wellington towards Strachan.

City Mockup of compromise design.

City mockup of the new compromise design. Note the roadway height change as indicated by the stop sign.

Details that we’ve gotten to this point from city and provincial politicians:

Lower Rail Line By:
Raise Strachan By:
Total Bridge Height
Pedestrian / Cycling-Friendly Access?
Access to Strachan from Wellington / Douro?
Original City Plan
7m 3m n/a Yes Yes
Original Metrolinx Plan
~2m ~8m ~10m No No
Compromise Plan
5m 4m TBD – ~5m? Yes* Yes
* based on info from politicians – not yet confirmed by Metrolinx

See the original email from Joe’s office and the letter from Rosario’s office on this new plan.