Agreement Will Be "Win-Win" for City and Airport Users
TORONTO, July 11, 2011 /CNW/ - The Toronto Port Authority's (TPA) Board of Directors has given the green light to an agreement going before City of Toronto Council this week, that would see the TPA's proposed pedestrian tunnel to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport accommodate the City's own infrastructure upgrade to water mains to the Toronto Islands. The TPA first proposed a combination of the two projects to former Mayor Miller in June 2009.
"The agreement tabled allows for a straight-line route for our proposed pedestrian tunnel, which is more convenient for mobility-impaired passengers and will save travellers $2.5 million in unnecessary construction costs," TPA Board Chairman Mark McQueen said. "By joining our project, the City estimates that it will save taxpayers $10 million on its own Island watermain and sewage project, and avoid duplication of costly and disruptive construction work in downtown Toronto."
The City was planning a major infrastructure project under the Western Channel, that would parallel the TPA's proposed pedestrian tunnel. Recognizing the pressing budget pressures faced by the City, the Toronto Port Authority has waived 100 per cent of the standard commercial fees charged for such carriage, which represents more than $5 million of additional savings to the City over the next 20 years.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2011/11/c4631.html
Airport tunnel deal reached
TORONTO - City staff have hammered out a deal with the Toronto Port Authority for the pedestrian tunnel to the island airport.
Councillors will have to sign off on the deal at some point during this week's city council meeting.
Released late Monday, the deal would give the port authority rights to a portion of the city-owned dockwall along the Western Gap allowing the tunnel to be built along a "straight-line route" from the shore of the city to the Billy Bishop Airport.
The city would use the tunnel construction to accommodate its own infrastructure upgrade to water mains feeding the Toronto Islands — a move that staff predict could save $10 million.
If approved, the city would lease the former Canada Malting site at 450 Lake Shore Blvd. W. to the TPA and allow a taxi staging area there while the tunnel is being built.
The TPA has agreed to spend $250,000 towards relocating the airport's terminal building. The city says it is not interested in taking ownership of the national historic site but talks are ongoing with Downsview Park to become its new owner, according to the report.
Councillors are also being asked to revise the controversial 2003 decision that sunk the bridge to the island airport. Staff recommend the decision, banning a fixed link to the airport, be revised to allow the proposed pedestrian tunnel.
The TPA's board of directors have already given the green light to the agreement, according to a news release.
TPA board chairman Mark McQueen stated the straight-line route will save travellers $2.5 million in "unnecessary" construction costs.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/12/airport-tunnel-deal-reached