Toronto’s Transit Relief Line & Yonge Relief Network Study Consultations Apr.5, 8, 10,12, 2014

This Video presents “Karen Stintz: Downtown Relief Line is Toronto’s top transit priority.”

  • TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Chair Karen Stintz explains why we need a Downtown Relief Line to alleviate pressure off the Yonge-University-Spadina Line in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Subway congestion. Photo: TTC
Subway congestion. Photo: TTC
Map of the Relief Line Project Assessment Study Area.
Map of the Relief Line Project Assessment Study Area.

The Relief Line Project Assessment Study has the following objectives:

“Assess route location alignment and station location options for a new rapid transit line connecting the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway within the central business district, south of Gerrard, to the Bloor-Danforth Subway east of the Don River, between Broadview and Coxwell.”

  • Seek public and stakeholder input on the study’s scope of work (a.k.a. the study approach) and public consultation plan.
    • City Council approval of both the scope of work and the public consultation plan is required before the study can proceed: Spring 2014.
    • The study approach will be refined based on the input received, and reported to City Council in June.
    • Assessment of routes and station options would follow the Council meeting.
  • Identify and evaluate alternative route options and station locations, while engaging the public and stakeholders throughout the process: 2015.
    • A preferred solution will be recommended.
    • Measures required to mitigate environmental impacts associated with the recommended solution will also be identified.
  • Document the study findings and recommendations in the form of a Draft Transit Project Assessment Environmental Project Report.
    • The draft report will require approval by City Council.
    • Final approval of the Draft Transit Project Assessment Environmental Project Report would occur through an environmental assessment process for transit projects known as the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP): 2015.
  • To begin this study following City Council’s approval of the study’s terms of reference and public consultation plan early summer 2014.
    • The study is scheduled for completion by the summer of 2015.

Future Studies: Extensions of the Relief Line

A map of future areas of the Toronto Relief Line Study.
A map of future areas of the Toronto Relief Line Study.
  • A potential northern extension, from the planned connection with the Bloor-Danforth subway east of the Don River, would provide a connection with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in the vicinity of Don Mills Road.
  • A potential western extension would link the central business district with the Bloor-Danforth Subway somewhere between Lansdowne and Keele.

Please click here for more info about the Relief Line Project Assessment Study.

New Transit line and Congestion Relief

  • On December 4, 2013, the Planning and Growth Management Committee of the City of Toronto voted to direct “the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to undertake public consultation on the Relief Line proposed Terms of Reference and Public Consultation framework, with technical support provided by TTC staff, and report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee seeking approval of these documents in early 2014.”
    • As well, the Planning and Growth Management Committee voted that the public consultation will include a process to rename the Downtown Relief Line.
    • This process will include a contest.
    • Please click here to read the report.

Relief Line Consultation Process

The City of Toronto, with support from the TTC, will be seeking input on the proposed study process (Terms of Reference) and their approach to public consultation for the Relief Line Project Assessment.

  • This study will evaluate route and station options for a new rapid transit line connecting Downtown Toronto to the Bloor-Danforth Subway line east of the Don River.
  • Metrolinx is looking at regional network options to relieve transit crowding on the Yonge corridor and improve how people move around the region.
    • Metrolinx is seeking input on the preliminary list of options and how they are evaluated for the Yonge Relief Network Study.

Yonge Relief Network Study

“Transforming the way people move throughout the Region and providing needed congestion relief to the Yonge Subway by creating new local and regional transit opportunities across the GTHA.”

Metrolinx's map of the Yonge Relief Network Study.
Metrolinx’s map of the Yonge Relief Network Study.
  • The GTHA (Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area) is “experiencing unprecedented growth but is increasingly constrained by a limited transportation network.”
    • The Yonge Subway, which serves both local and regional trips, is over-crowded today and, even with committed improvements, is projected to be over-crowded in the future.
  • Metrolinx, TTC, City of Toronto and York Region are working together to address crowding on the Yonge Subway Line.
  • “Transit crowding along the Yonge corridor is a regional problem that needs a regional solution.
    • It’s about new and integrated ways to improve people’s mobility not just new transit lines.”
  • Yonge Relief Network Study has the following objectives:
    • Provide rigorous evidence based analysis to evaluate the congestion solutions that will benefit the regional network as a whole: early Spring 2014.
    • Generate a long list of alternatives, including policy measures, new infrastructure, and optimization of existing infrastructure, all aimed at addressing Yonge Subway capacity and laying the groundwork to address regional transportation challenges: Spring 2014.
    • Recommend complementary alternatives that will be grouped into several bundles, each providing short, medium and long-term actions: Summer 2014.
    • Recommend one suite of solutions to advance toward implementation: Fall 2014 – Winter 2015.
  • Please click here for more info about the Yonge Relief Network Study.

Come join them to provide feedback on their studies.

Public Consultation Meetings

The City of Toronto, TTC and Metrolinx will be hosting a series of public meetings in early April on the Relief Line Project Assessment and the Yonge Relief Network Study.

You are invited to the following consultation meetings:

  • Two joint meetings for the Relief Line Project Assessment (City of Toronto/TTC) and the Yonge Relief Network Study (Metrolinx) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    • Saturday, April 5, 2014
      Sheraton Centre, Dominion Ballroom
      123 Queen Street West
      Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
      Presentation at 10:00 a.m.
    • Thursday, April 10, 2014
      Riverdale Collegiate Institute
      1094 Gerrard Street East
      Time: 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
      Presentation at 6:30 p.m.
  • A Metrolinx’s public meeting on the Yonge Relief Network Study (Metrolinx only) in Ontario, Canada.
    Tuesday, April 8, 2014
    Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church
    10066 Yonge St.
    Richmond Hill, Ontario
    Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
    Presentation at 6:30 p.m.
  • A public meeting on the Relief Line Project Assessment (City of Toronto/TTC only) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Saturday, April 12, 2014
    Holy Name Parish
    71 Gough Avenue (one block west of Pape Station)
    Toronto, Ontario
    Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Presentation at 10:00 a.m.

Please click here for more info about both the Relief Line Project Assessment Study and the Yonge Relief Network Study.

Also, there are two ways for you to provide feedback on the study process of the Relief Line Assessment Study, which is officially called the “Terms of Reference” – lays out what the project team will study, how decisions will be made and who will be involved:

  1. Please take a few minutes to answer some questions about how the study process should be structured.
  2. Help them clarify the Terms of Reference by providing detailed feedback via their wiki.

Have an idea or suggestion about the Yonge Relief Network Study? Please click here to give Metrolinx your feedback via email.

Metrolinx Contact Info

Metrolinx
97 Front Street West,
Toronto, ON M5J 1E6
Phone: 416.874.5900
Fax: 416.869.1755

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service.

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily.

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays.

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays.

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

————————————–

You may also want to know:

Posted

in

, ,

by

editor

Tags:

, , , , , , , , , , ,