Toronto GO Transit: Davenport Diamond Grade Separation | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx

cplchanb said:
so whats next? is ML going to bend over to the nimby demands or are they just going to say "noted...next"?
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I think the TPAP process is that a report is written, given to the Minister of the Environment and the Minister has 30 days to sign off, or send it back to Metrolinx if they have concerns. So I think by the Fall of 2016 we should have an answer. Metrolinx wrote in one of their presentations that to meet their timelines for RER/electrification, the latest construction could start is "2017".
 
"Alternate EA report" states:
The
area
where
Metrolinx
plans
to
build
the
overpass
cuts
through
the
Junction
Triangle,
an
area
historically
made
up
of
industrial
land.
Some
properties
on
the
corridor
border,
such
as
the
TTC
lot
on
Lansdowne
Avenue
north
of
Bloor
Street,
are
heavily
contaminated,
raising
health
and
safety
concerns
for
any
type
of
construction
in
the
corridor.
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They've blown their arguments, any of them, away with that.
 
steveintoronto said:
"Alternate EA report" states:

They've blown their arguments, any of them, away with that.
Click to expand...

The statement is a proven fact, but it's not a compelling argument. The amount of material excavated or disturbed with an overpass would be very small. Some of the worst contaminated sites have already been remediated and some even have new residential buildings on them already.

Cancelling the project would leave the contaminated soil right where it is - in their backyard. So yes they are shooting themselves in the foot by using this argument.

A more astute strategy might be to complain that remediation has been very slow (I'm not suggesting this is a fact, but it's an easy position to argue from), and demand additional measures by government as one of the "sweeteners" in exchange for the overpass.

It's also a case of be careful what you ask for.....when the TTC site is finally remediated, who knows what kind of development will be proposed for it. The bigger the development, the more money the City or TTC get for selling it.

- Paul
 
Tunneling or trenching would disturb vastly more amounts, doubtless. Unless there's a plume or water movement (which there is to the south of there) it's often best to leave 'sleeping dogs lie'. Trenching or tunneling, if there is water movement, would even further aggravate the situation. Clean soil on top of dirty might be the best option, providing that what's underneath is stable.
 
They will have to move some earth for supports but not great amounts. Other parts will be buried under berms. The technology is pretty advanced now and this is really not a big deal. Ottawa just announced a huge development at Lebreton, including a new arena. Everyone knows much of it's contaminated land. Non-issue.
 
mdrejhon said:
Regarding mirrored panels, they can be an issue reflecting the sun long distances.
Why not angle them downwards by approximately 2 to 5 degrees to reduce this effect?
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It would still violate the City of Toronto's Bird Friendly development guidelines as they relate to glazing.
 
wopchop said:
It would still violate the City of Toronto's Bird Friendly development guidelines as they relate to glazing.
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for instance, if the site is close to a natural area such as
a ravine or woodlot or other natural feature where the majority of
the vegetation is generally higher than 12 metres, glass treatments
in these areas should be applied to the height of the top of the
surrounding tree canopy or the anticipated height of the
surrounding vegetation at maturity. Similarly, for elevated
landscapes such as podium gardens and green roofs, glass adjacent
to or in the vicinity of these elements should be made bird-friendly
Birds begin to perceive buildings as objects to be avoided when
the distances between features or patterns on glass is at
approximately 28 cm, with the most effective pattern distance at
10 cm or less. Essentially, the denser the pattern the more effective
it becomes in projecting itself as a solid object to birds.

Patterned or ‘fritted’ glass has an image or abstract pattern
embedded in it. By using dots of various sizes and densities,
manufacturers can create any kind of image, translucent or opaque.
The image in the glass then projects enough visual markers to be
perceived by birds. Only non-reflective glass should be used in
combination with fritted patterns.

Patterns can also be applied to existing glass through the use of
film products. Applied to external surfaces, including windows,
film products can be designed with any image or pattern. Film
laminates are often applied to downtown buildings for other
purposes, such as security or advertising. Often these products are
applied to transit vehicles for advertising purposes. On buildings,
the film need not advertise particular products and could be
integrated with the architectural design of the building.

13
Decals
A pattern of decals applied externally can also create enough visual
markers. However, if decals are used, a pattern with clear spaces of
no more that 28 cm is required in order for the use of decals to be
considered bird-friendly.

14
Fenestration Patterns
Multiple paned glass is an effective source of visual markers. The
vertical and horizontal mullions create an image that is visible to
birds, as long as the panes conform to the optimal range of 28 cm
to 10 cm or less, with the smaller distances being more effective.
[...continues at length...]
Click to expand...
https://www1.toronto.ca/city_of_tor...ironment/files/pdf/development_guidelines.pdf

mdrejhon said: ↑
Regarding mirrored panels, they can be an issue reflecting the sun long distances.
Why not angle them downwards by approximately 2 to 5 degrees to reduce this effect?
Click to expand...

But here's MD's idea writ large:
17
Angled glass

Strategies for Muting Reflections
Angled glass
Angling glass panes in such a way as to project reflected images
downward is a fairly effective way of reducing bird strikes,
especially at ground level. Angles become effective at a minimum
angle of 20 degrees with 40 degrees known to be more effective.
Click to expand...

MD had the right idea, just not enough of an angle.
 
Press release we just received.

For Immediate Release


June 9, 2016


Davenport Community Groups Petition the Province to Meet the

Community's Requirements on Metrolinx's Davenport Diamond Project


Today, a coalition of nine Davenport community groups, supported by local elected representatives have submitted a community petition containing approximately 1,500 signatures to Davenport MPP Cristina Martins, which will be read in the Ontario Legislature later today.


The petition was created to call on the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx to meet the requirements of the Davenport community for the proposed Davenport Diamond Grade Separation project.


The petition calls for:

·developing a comprehensive vision that includes a design competition;

·addressing noise, vibration, and safety issues and concerns;

·creating a multi-modal station at Bloor;

·establishing cycling and walking connections throughout including connections to the West Toronto Railpath, the Green Line, and an elevated connection to Earlscourt Park;

·devising a long-term maintenance plan and endowment fund for community programming;

·resolving concerns relating to Dupont St;

·providing the community with a date commitment to electrify the corridor; and

·guaranteeing that no more than the proposed 36 trains per day will be in use until electric trains are operational on the corridor.


The Davenport community is united in calling for this piece of transit infrastructure to be a city building exercise that truly benefits all communities along the corridor. Metrolinx and the Government of Ontario now have an opportunity to create goodwill and help realize the community and City vision for this project by adopting the issues raised in the petition.


- 30 -


Quotes from the community groups are on page two and a copy of the petition and open letter has been included as part of this release.


The petition is an initiative of BIG, Bloordale BIA, Bloordale CIA, Davenport Village Community Association, DIGIN, Friends of the West Toronto Railpath, How We Live In Cities, Junction Triangle Rail Committee, Options for Davenport, and Councillor Ana Bailão.


Media Contacts:

Sam Barbieri for Options for Davenport, 416-779-9396, optionsftdd@gmail.com

Matt Park for Davenport Village Community Association, 647-572-1767, parkie10@hotmail.com

Robert Cerjanec for Councillor Ana Bailão, 416-338-5274, rcerjan@toronto.ca


Quotes:

"This project will impact our community for the next 100 years. Through advocacy, research, and hard work, our community has come together and presented a real and achievable vision for this project. I encourage Metrolinx and the Province to follow the lead of the Davenport community in truly creating a city building project that benefits all communities along the corridor – our community deserves no less."

– Ana Bailão, City Councillor, Ward 18, Davenport


“Metrolinx's proposed rail overpass is going to pass within metres of homes, businesses and parks. Not surprisingly, the people who live here are concerned about noise, diesel pollution, safety, and the visual impact that such an imposing structure will have on our established neighbourhood. Our community has come together to put forward a series of reasonable requests relating to these issues. Meeting these requirements is the very least the Province and Metrolinx can do for our community. We deserve that much.”

– Sam Barbieri, Options for Davenport


"I think it's rare that community organizations and government unify over contentious projects like the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation when opinions are so often divided, but for the greater good of our community's future, our strength is shown by collaborative efforts of passionate individuals, organizations, and political representatives. Our community deserves the best when all projects are considered for it and I am proud to live in one where people care enough to strive for the same thing."

– Jason Campbell, Chair, BIG: Bloor Improvement Group


"Any multiuse trail built along this overpass must have meaningful connections to other trails such as the West Toronto Railpath and the future Green Line – otherwise it will be a stub to nowhere. A fully inter-connected trail system would also become a force multiplier for active transportation routes in the West End, which is a good thing for all transit users."

– Scott Dobson, Friends of the West Toronto Railpath


"Metrolinx's railway overpass will be a pronounced community disruption requiring the neighbourhood to bare a permanent physical cut into the landscape. The bridge will interfere with sightlines, contribute more noise and air pollution and put at risk the wildlife habitat now residing along the corridor. Jointly, our community groups and organizations have put forward carefully considered requirements to ensure that this project results in the best possible outcome. We adamantly urge that Metrolinx honour these sensible requests including design and entryway resolutions in the Dupont Street area. The high density Dupont area is traffic congested, rapidly intensifying and hosts the apex of the overpass but is the least accessible pathway on plans to date."

– Dyan Marie, How We Live In Cities


"The Davenport Diamond rail overpass is more than merely a piece of transit infrastructure. It is about people and communities. Every effort must be made to ensure that each are both protected and augmented through this challenging project. This is an essential opportunity to ensure electrification at the earliest possible juncture. Design excellence must be a key tenet in order for us to create a marque structure together. A multi-modal station at Bloor; establishing cycling and walking connections throughout including connections to the West Toronto Railpath in the south and The Green Line, and an elevated connection to Earlscourt Park to the north are all key to ensure this generational piece of transit infrastructure is an asset rather than an eyesore for Davenport and a model for Metrolinx as it works with other communities in the future."

– Matt Park, President, Davenport Village Community Association


"The community is looking for the best possible design. An architectural gem that elevates the community not just the trains."

– Kevin Putnam, Junction Triangle Rail Committee



Robert Cerjanec

Executive Assistant

Office of Councillor Ana Bailão

Ward 18, Davenport
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salsa said:
Sounds like the community has finally given up on the whole tunnel thing. I'd say their requirements are pretty reasonable.
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·providing the community with a date commitment to electrify the corridor;
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That would sound unreasonable to Metrolinx or the province, and it would surely trigger the same demand in Weston. But I think it would be a good thing, it's about time that we do away with this open-ended 'we're upgrading diesel service and will electrify in the future' nonsense and make the government accountable to a publicly committed date.
 
It's my understanding that GO electrification construction begins roughly 2018-2019, based on paperwork I've seen.

This needs to be more widely advertised.

Presumably, it's quite possible they will nearly electrify the Davenport bridge almost right from the outset with plug-in pads for gantries, etc.
 
DonValleyRainbow said:
That would sound unreasonable to Metrolinx or the province, and it would surely trigger the same demand in Weston. But I think it would be a good thing, it's about time that we do away with this open-ended 'we're upgrading diesel service and will electrify in the future' nonsense and make the government accountable to a publicly committed date.
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Asking ML to set project plan and schedule for this (and be held to it) is not only reasonable - it's asking them to meet Project Management and Public Accountability 101 level standards.

- Paul
 
mdrejhon said:
Presumably, it's quite possible they will nearly electrify the Davenport bridge almost right from the outset with plug-in pads for gantries, etc.
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Is there a link to the original press release?

I see they are promoting one of the suggestions from the last public meeting - ie rather than trying to "disguise" a mundane bridge, why not make it truly an artform-level structure that becomes a permanent and eyecatching feature of Toronto's skyline. Something along the lines of the OCAT building on McCaul. Someone suggested making it look like it was built out of Lego (there is a precedent for that) or Tinkertoy. I really like that approach.... something that might become an icon of the city like the CN Tower or the view of the Skyline from the Island.

- Paul
 
I think those are fairly reasonable requests.

I also think their request about a date to start electrification and limited number of trains per day until it comes online is also reasonable. This is also the kind of pressure that Metrolinx and Queen's Park needs to get off their ass and start the electrification process.

Saying when something is finished means nothing but saying when it starts does as it holds the politicians feet to the fire during the next election cycle if construction doesn't begin by the time promised.
 
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