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Following a presentation by Metrolinx of its latest designs for a $570m bridge through Toronto's Davenport neighbourhood to the city's Design Review Panel on Tuesday, April 5, (they were audio recorded and the Metrolinx presentation is downloadable), and recent drop-in sessions at the constituency office of the local MPP Cristina Martins, the transportation agency is hosting more opportunities for public feedback on its plans.
In earlier public consultations local residents have been keen to put the trains in a tunnel or in a trench instead of on a bridge, however Metrolinx insists that an overpass is the only viable solution.
Options for Davenport, backed by city council and their local councillors has suggested that Metrolinx did not give the alternatives to a bridge enough consideration. Some form of rail re-alignment is necessary to enable GO Transit to increase the frequency of trains along the Barrie corridor to every 15 minutes, as part of Ontario's $29bn GO RER plan.
The area's newly-elected MP Julie Dzerowicz, has been persuaded by independent planners she has consulted that the bridge is the only viable solution, but she is keen to ensure that the community has a voice in selecting the design and engineering company and the company that will lay out and maintain the public space that will come with the project. She also wants Metrolinx to help fund a cycle path from the north of the riding, along the length of the new bridge to connect to the West Toronto Railpath, and to set aside funds for a trust to oversee maintenance and upkeep of the public spaces. Residents have also called for a station to serve the local population on this line; stations at Bloor Street and St. Clair Avenue are already on Metrolinx's shortlist of possible new stations which will be presented to the board in June.
Much more information and a survey (which will be open until the end of April) are available on Metrolinx' consultation website, and you can also email RERDavenport@metrolinx.com with your comments. A lively discussion is already underway in our forums. There will be a fourth public meeting on April 27th after which the next major opportunity for feedback will be for a month after the publication of the Environmental Project Report, due May 27. A decision on whether and how the project will proceed will be made by Glen Murray, Ontario's Minister of Environment and Climate Change on August 2nd. Subject to this approval, construction is slated to start at the earliest in mid-2018 but more likely in late 2018, according to Metrolinx.
