We have been working to bring Metrolinx into our neighbourhood to provide you with opportunity to attend a workshop on issues of concern in our neighbourhood.
The format will differ from that which you may typically have seen at our meetings and will be, in large part, workshop based.
 
 Workshop Topics

Noise/Vibration Impacts  Homes adjacent the rail corridor

Metrolinx Facilitator:

 

- discussion around noise and vibration impacts on a) homes and b) community spaces/Sorauren Park adjacent to the rail corridor

 

- areas of particular concern: north of Dundas and south of the rail lines: Ritchie-Herman–Golden-Silver- Morrow.

 

Air Quality/Human Health Impacts

Metrolinx Facilitator

- discussion around air quality/human health impacts on a) homes and b) community spaces/Sorauren Park adjacent to the rail corridor

 

- what can be done to minimize the impact on the park and those who use it. 

West End Railpath

Metrolinx Facilitator:

Smart Commute Rep: Ryan

City Bike Rep?

 

-strong community support for railpath -important opportunity to improve urban life and aesthetics.

 

- discuss what’s possible and what can be made better to make biking and transit more complimentary

 

Dundas West Station

Metrolinx Facilitator:

City of Toronto Rep?

 

- Metrolinx’s own Regional Transportation Plan identifies this station as a Mobility Hub.

 

- The City of Toronto’s Bloor-Dundas Avenue Study has recommended that pedestrian access to the station requires improvements.

 

- brainstorm around opportunity here to create a better urban and transit experience through a much improved connectivity between pedestrian, cycling, TTC, GO and air travel modes at this location.

 


 
You should have seen recent public notices in the press from Metrolinx regarding the commencement of the Environmental Project Report.
 
Included here:

                          Draft Environmental Project Report - Part I
                          Public comments to date
 

List of useful email contacts.

"fridgemagnet" print it & stick it on your fridge

 

So far about half as many people have emailed RMRA with their concerns about this as have emailed info@metrolinx.com.

 

 

 

·  Metrolinx, 20 Bay Street, Suite 901, Toronto, ON M5J 2N8

·  http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse

·  1-866-658-9890

·  info@metrolinx.com

 

Your Elected Representatives and Government Officials

.....................................................................................................

Reminder... GO is a Govt of Ontario Project (GO = "Government of Ontario")

......................................................................................................

 

Federal
Stephen Harper                                                    pm@pm.gc.ca

Federal Minister of Transportation,

Infrastructure and Communities John Baird              mintc@tc.gov.ca
Gerard Kennedy, MP                                             KenneG1@parl.gc.ca
 

Provincial
Premier McGuinty                                                 dalton.mcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca

Provincial Minister of Transportation James Bradley minister@mto.gov.on.ca
Cheri Di Novo, MPP                                              www.cheridinovo.ca
 

Toronto

Mayor Miller                                                         mayor_mlller@toronto.ca

Gord Perks, Councillor Wqard 14                                                          councillor_perks@toronto.ca

 

 

On April 2, 2009, Metrolinx issued a Notice of Commencement for the Georgetown South Service Expansion, including a Union-Pearson Rail Link (GSSE/UPRL), under the Province of Ontario’s Transit Project Assessment Process. This marked the beginning of the formal 120-day consultation period.

 

During the consultation period, Metrolinx will prepare a draft Environmental Project Report (EPR).

 

Part I of the Draft EPR is now available on for review and comment. It provides:

§  A project description

§  A map and description of existing environmental conditions

 

To view the document, please visit the Metrolinx Consultation Portal.

 

The materials are also available for viewing at the following locations: 

 

 

For more information on the GSSE/UPRL project, including information about our upcoming Community Open Houses, please see: www.metrolinx.com/gsse.

 

We look forward to your comments.

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The Metrolinx Virtual Open House for the Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link (GSSE/UPRL) has been updated.

 

Now you have 2 opportunities to review materials and provide comments:

 

§         GSSE/UPRL Virtual Open House Round I

o        Display boards from the April 2009 Community Open Houses - online, convenient, and open 24/7, the revised project details are available for public review and comment.

 

§         GSSE/UPRL Draft Environmental Project Report - Part I

o        provides a project description, as well as a map and description of existing environmental conditions.

o        Part II will be available in May 2009 and will outlines impacts, describe mitigation measures, and identify the effectiveness of mitigation measures

 

How is this round of Open Houses different than the Metrolinx Virtual Open House in February 2009?

Before starting the formal process, Metrolinx conducted over 3 months of public consultation. This included a series of Open Houses hosted in February 2009. The purpose of those Open Houses was to present the revised project proposal had changed from 2006 to reflect previous public input.

 

How has the public comment to date been reflected to date?

Since the announcement that Metrolinx was the proponent for the EA, the project team heard from over:

§         numerous meetings with community groups, residents associations, regulatory agencies and individual citizens to hear great suggestions and local concerns.

 

Below is a summary of key themes from the February Open Houses:
 

Theme

Response

Environmental Impact Studies

 

Our team of professionals is working on air, noise, vibration, human health and construction impact analysis. Results, as well as potential mitigation strategies will be shared once available.

Incorporate the West Toronto Railpath + City of Toronto’s Bike Plans

 

Metrolinx is working closely with the City of Toronto to integrate the plans for the Georgetown South Rail Corridor with the City's Bike Plan, including the West Toronto Railpath on the east side of the Georgetown Rail Corridor between Dundas and Queen Street.

Electrification/Clean Diesel

Service expansion to the western part of the region was needed many years ago and we need to proceed now with service improvement on this corridor.

 

The Big Move lay out plans for future electrification on specific corridors, including Georgetown. Where possible, Metrolinx will work to design now to allow for future electrification.

Assessing Property Damages as a result of construction or project operation.

 

Preliminary vibration analysis indicates that damage of adjacent buildings is highly improbable. With the cooperation of the building owners, building inspections will be done adjacent to the corridor before construction.

King Street/Queen Street Station

There are a number of technical challenges that preclude a GO stop at either a King or Queen Street West location, including large scale disruption to the streetscape, acquisition of adjacent properties, and the challenge of fitting a platform on the curve.

 

GO Transit’s regional trip times would also be slower if additional stops were added. The TTC currently provides frequent service along King Street West and Queen Street West that connects travellers to GO Transit at both Union and Bloor Stations.

The John Street Pedestrian Bridge

Closing John Street to vehicles requires the least amount of property acquisition and is the most cost effective.

 

Metrolinx will continue to work with the community and local businesses in the coming months to addresses safety, accessibility, and community sustainability concerns around the John Street Pedestrian Bridge.

Future of the Weston GO Station

An important component of the project is the relocation of the existing GO Weston Stop from John Street to Lawrence Avenue and the construction of a new Weston Station to accommodate GO trains and Union-Pearson rail link trains.

 

Metrolinx and GO Transit are committed to the Weston GO Station. The status of this station will not be impacted by the proposed Eglinton Station in the future.

 

This was further underscored in the provincial legislature by Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation on March 2, 2009, who stated publicly that the Weston GO station would not close.

Private Partner Operating the Air-Rail Link

 

The project is defined by GO Transit’s future operating needs. It also opens up the opportunity to offer the Air-Rail Link service on GO Transit Infrastructure.

 

Contract negotiations are currently being conducted by Infrastructure Ontario with SNC-Lavalin in a separate process. Details will be public once the contract has been finalized.

 

 

 

The Open Houses are just one part of Metrolinx’s commitment to ongoing community consultation. For more information, please contact: