Metrolinx issued the Notice of Completion for the Georgetown South Service Expansion project, including the Union-Pearson Rail Link (GSSE/UPRL).
This marks the end of the 120-day formal consultation period Ontario’s Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP).
Over the past seven months, we consulted extensively with neighbourhood organizations and individual citizens along the rail corridor. Open Houses, online consultation and meetings with community groups gave us a tremendous amount of feedback and suggestions and these led to a number of amendments and refinements to the project, including:
- A new Strachan Avenue bridge design that minimizes the impact to the adjacent community and provides beautification opportunities.
- Preservation of the iconic Farmer’s Market at its current location in Weston
- Plans to extend the West Toronto Rail Path and connect other cycling plans along the corridor in the future
- Keeping streets open in the Weston and Liberty Village neighbourhoods where possible
- Designing the new pedestrian bridge over the John Street rail crossing in Weston as part of a new community vision
- Facilitating community revitalization opportunities afforded by the new Weston GO Transit station
The final Environmental Project Report (EPR) and details of the next steps are now posted on metrolinx.com/gsse
The EPR is also available in hard copy at the following locations:
- Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A, Ontario, M4V 1L5.
416-314-8001
- York Civic Centre, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M6M 1V1. Phone: Access Toronto General Enquiry, 416-338-0338
- Toronto Public Library, City Hall Branch, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N3. 416-393-7650
- Toronto Public Library – Weston Branch, 2 King Street, Toronto, Ontario, M9N 1K9. 416-394-1016
- Toronto Public Library – Perth/Dupont Branch, 1589 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON M6P 3S5 (redirected to this location due to renovations at the Annette Street Branch)
- Mississauga Public Library – Malton Branch, Malton Community Centre, 3540 Morning Star Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4T 1Y2. 905-615-4640
Metrolinx will continue to work with the corridor communities through the next phases of the project. Please continue to check back for updates as we move forward on this important public transit expansion.
General Themes in Public Feedback (Feedback Forms + Online)
Community Open Houses in June 2009
The following is a summary of key themes from public comments received at the June 2009 Open Houses:
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Theme |
Response |
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Electrification
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Electrification is a critically important issue and Metrolinx wants to get it right. Electric trains are just one component of an efficient regional rail system. We want to make sure the choices are properly framed in the context of our broader mandate to recommend the best possible investments to improve transportation, the environment, the quality of life and the economy in the GTHA. On May 26, 2009 Metrolinx announced a study of electrification of its entire GO Transit rail system. As the first step, Metrolinx has appointed a Community Advisory Committee to assist in developing the Terms of Reference for the GO System Electrification Study. This elite group of experts will recommend the Terms of Reference to the Metrolinx Board in the fall of 2009. The final Terms of Reference will guide the Electrification Study and serve as the basis for issuing any requests for proposals to undertake the Study. The Study itself will be completed in Winter 2010. In the meantime, GO Transit continues to deploy clean diesel technology – an efficient and cost-effective way of reducing congestion and moving people to places quickly, comfortably and safely. GO Transit has also been using ultra low sulphur diesel fuel for both its rail and bus services since 2006. In addition The MP40 diesel locomotives – which will be the locomotives on the Georgetown line – use the best, cleanest technology available, meeting all US Environmental Protection Act (EPA) Tier 2 Emission standards. Canada is not the only country investing in clean diesel technology. Many nations known for their extensive transit systems and progressive environmental policies use clean diesel technology on their rail networks: § In London, UK, new Bombardier diesel multiple unit (DMU) railcars will be delivered next year for use on the Gospel Oak – Barking Line, an urban railway in greater London. § In Denmark, 100 new Siemens-built DMUs have been purchased for regional train service similar to the type of service GO Transit operates. § In Germany, high-speed diesel train sets are used to operate 200 km/h service connecting Berlin, Hamburg and Copenhagen |
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Noise, Vibration, Air Quality + Human Health Impacts |
The Environmental Project Report (EPR) documents the results of 4 studies (noise, vibration, air quality, and human health impacts of air quality) on the community surrounding the project. The studies show either no impacts or impacts which can be addressed through mitigation measures.
The studies used a cautious approach, modeling impacts based on worst case scenarios to show that even under extreme weather conditions, with high traffic volumes, the project can operate safely and protect human health and the environment. Specific recommendations are made for addressing noise and vibration impacts. In some instances, people will be better off in the future as a result of the mitigation measures for this project. In all instances, any increase in sound levels greater than 5 dB will trigger a response. There are only three, confined areas which require vibration mitigation. Measures will be put in place at the time of construction. Of the eleven substances assessed in the air quality and human health studies, only one requires mitigation. Specific short, medium, and long term measures are proposed in the EPR for addressing periodic nitrogen oxide spikes which are generally expected to occur on “bad air” days. Getting people out of cars and onto transit helps to improve local and regional air quality and it reduce greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a more sustainable GTHA. |
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Notification of Consultation Process
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The Public Notice for the June Open Houses was: § published two consecutive weeks in 8 community newspapers along the corridor as well as in the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun § posted on the Metrolinx website § email-blasted to over 1500 stakeholder groups and individuals that have expressed interest in the receiving continued notice about the project § emailed to local representatives, resident associations, community groups to forward on to their membership lists, as appropriate. |
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Community Impacts
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Over the past seven months, Metrolinx has been out in the communities, listening to neighbourhood groups and individual citizens all along the corridor. There has been great interest and suggestions from everyone. As a result of the huge amount of feedback, the Georgetown South Service Expansion proposal has been changed and refined to incorporate these great ideas. |
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GO Stations (Liberty Village/King St. West station)
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The Georgetown South service expansion also needs to balance demands for increased regional service with local needs. The GO Georgetown Service and the UPRL service will stop at Union Station, Bloor GO Weston within City of Toronto limits. While there is strong local support for a GSSE/UPRL stop at either King or Queen Street, there are a number of technical challenges that preclude a GO stop at either location. King Street The corridor is very narrow at King Street. To accommodate a platform, the corridor would have to be widened outside the existing rail property lines and would require large scale property acquisition and the replacement of the entire King Street railway structure. Queen Street Neither Queen Street nor the new Dufferin Jog structure could accommodate the extra width required for a new platform. Also, building a platform would result in significant property requirements and road regrading. Both locations would also result in platforms on a curve which can result in unsafe conditions. |
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Union-Pearson Rail Link
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While many comments were supportive of a rail link to Pearson Airport, there were concerns that the Union-Pearson Rail Link would not effectively serve the needs of communities along the line and of the region as a whole. In Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan, Big Move # 2 calls for high-order transit connections to the Pearson Airport from all directions. Rapid transit lines on Finch Avenue West, Eglinton Avenue West, and on Highways 403, 407 and 427 will ensure connectivity for those not served by the Union-Pearson Rail Link. |
