Finch West Line 6 LRT

[jcam]

The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing at ML. I'm totally expecting them to announce the RFP is being delayed again to remove the vehicle from the bids. The cynic in me is saying this is intentional, to ensure this project never gets built.

I believe it was that they wanted an option added to the existing bids, rather than a new bid.

 

[georgevicbell]

There clearly should be more transparency into the bidding process (by which I mean the progress of the project along the bidding process)...it's been 3 years in the same state, with all sorts of rewrites required...more granularity and visibility into what is happening is needed to make sure this doesn't happen...

 

[Palma]

The penalties Metrolinx wrote into the Bombardier agreement for non-delivery of vehicles is low yet the penalties Metrolinx agreed to pay on Eglinton for non-delivery of vehicles is high with the gap between the 2 penalty fees at about $500k per day! How insane can metrolinx be? Why would they agree to pay more if they do not deliver yet allow Bombardier to pay way less? How can someone not come to the conclusion of kick backs?

 

[dowlingm]

Why would they agree to pay more if they do not deliver yet allow Bombardier to pay way less? How can someone not come to the conclusion of kick backs?

Because different people negotiated the two contracts and failed to make them depend on each other? Remember, thanks to David Miller and company, this was originally a TTC contract which was then assumed in part by Metrolinx, rather than what should have happened: the downtown and Transit City cars tendered separately rather than floating the line that there would be maintenance economies of scale between the two types of car.

This is why places like Edmonton sign what amounts to a single contract with a consortium, where it's up to each member to deliver for the others.

 

[rbt]

Because different people negotiated the two contracts and failed to make them depend on each other? Remember, thanks to David Miller and company, this was originally a TTC contract which was then assumed in part by Metrolinx, rather than what should have happened: the downtown and Transit City cars tendered separately rather than floating the line that there would be maintenance economies of scale between the two types of car.

This is why places like Edmonton sign what amounts to a single contract with a consortium, where it's up to each member to deliver for the others.

True. Though when the TTC ordered the LRVs (options only), hiring engineers/etc., and even purchasing the TBMs, there was no sign that Metrolinx intended to manage the construction or even that they would be funding 100% of the project. The city still expected to kick in a %age.

That said, there was no actual obligation for Metrolinx (or TTC) to take the LRVs ordered.

Even Georgetown/UPX was done the old-school method. Crosstown is Metrolinx's first DBM (mostly) tender of significant value.

 

[crs1026]

Clearly timetables don't mean much to this government. I'll believe this'll be built when I see the contracts signed

Contracts take work to create, and don't generate half the photo ops that studies and promises do.

After the groundbreaking comes resident complaints and invoices.....and that's about it until the thing is done. And it might not happen on time. Much simpler and more rewarding to just study and promise things in the next decade.

Seriously, if this project were deferred but the initial works for DRL expedited instead - would the public mind? Would John Tory express opposition?

- PAul

 

[world positive]

The penalties Metrolinx wrote into the Bombardier agreement for non-delivery of vehicles is low yet the penalties Metrolinx agreed to pay on Eglinton for non-delivery of vehicles is high with the gap between the 2 penalty fees at about $500k per day! How insane can metrolinx be? Why would they agree to pay more if they do not deliver yet allow Bombardier to pay way less? How can someone not come to the conclusion of kick backs?

Very nice map, but I hope that a more direct path from Humber College to Pearson terminals can be found. Going around along Rexdale / Derry / Airport Rd would add good 10 min to the trip time, and prompt the potential riders to seek other options.

If the rail line to Derry Rd and Malton is justified at all by the projected demand, then it can be built as a separate branch.

Finch West LRT can be expanded South towards Highway 27, to make a stop at Rexdale Boulevard, in between Woodbine Mall($1.6Billion investment coming up) and Woodbine Casino(major entertainment expansion coming here). Then the following stop can connect to UP Express that runs above Highway 27. Is this possible ?

 

[world positive]

They started utility moving couple of weeks ago. Finch along Kipling and Islington is a hassle to drive along as of now. Since there aren't any underground work for Finch LRT, there shouldn't be any major delays.

 

[Steve X]

Finch West LRT can be expanded South towards Highway 27, to make a stop at Rexdale Boulevard, in between Woodbine Mall($1.6Billion investment coming up) and Woodbine Casino(major entertainment expansion coming here). Then the following stop can connect to UP Express that runs above Highway 27. Is this possible ?

I like this idea.

I always thought if the alignment went down Highway 27 and Dixon to the airport, the entire alignment can develop into a high density neighbourhood. Dixon will be vitalized to be a welcoming and pedestrian friendly street for tourists. It can become a Las Vegas strip along with a new casino at Woodbine. The Crosstown can have a spur routing that will connect to the airport via Dixon. This way they'll kill two birds with one stone.

If they continue on with the one alignment from Renforth via Silver Dart Dr to the airport, there is zero development possibility for the entire 3km beyond Renforth Gateway. Riders wanting to go to Renforth Gateway from the airport can take the route 100 when that's up and running. Making riders take a LRT to Renforth Gateway to take a bus to Mississauga downtown is less convenient and hardly any time saving. If fact it can lead to a longer trip if they miss their transfer connection.

Someone here has proposed the Finch LRT route down Rexdale to Malton GO and down Airport Rd. Unfortunately there is very low potential for development along Airport Rd as buildings are limited to a very low height. A new GO station would be built at Woodbine if a casino does get built making the Highway 27 alignment better.

 

[W. K. Lis]

I like this idea.

I always thought if the alignment went down Highway 27 and Dixon to the airport, the entire alignment can develop into a high density neighbourhood. Dixon will be vitalized to be a welcoming and pedestrian friendly street for tourists. It can become a Las Vegas strip along with a new casino at Woodbine. The Crosstown can have a spur routing that will connect to the airport via Dixon. This way they'll kill two birds with one stone.

If they continue on with the one alignment from Renforth via Silver Dart Dr to the airport, there is zero development possibility for the entire 3km beyond Renforth Gateway. Riders wanting to go to Renforth Gateway from the airport can take the route 100 when that's up and running. Making riders take a LRT to Renforth Gateway to take a bus to Mississauga downtown is less convenient and hardly any time saving. If fact it can lead to a longer trip if they miss their transfer connection.

Someone here has proposed the Finch LRT route down Rexdale to Malton GO and down Airport Rd. Unfortunately there is very low potential for development along Airport Rd as buildings are limited to a very low height. A new GO station would be built at Woodbine if a casino does get built making the Highway 27 alignment better.

Dixon Road (west of Highway 27) has already had its speed limit reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. On its way to being more pedestrian friendly, as a first step. (Next step, making the curb lane on Dixon Road, a bus and taxi lane only.)

Wonder if the speed limits on Finch Avenue West are in the process of having their speed limits reduced, on a permanent basis? After the construction.

 

[Steve X]

Dixon Road (west of Highway 27) has already had its speed limit reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. On its way to being more pedestrian friendly, as a first step. (Next step, making the curb lane on Dixon Road, a bus and taxi lane only.)

Wonder if the speed limits on Finch Avenue West are in the process of having their speed limits reduced, on a permanent basis? After the construction.

Dixon and Eglinton (boarding Mississauga) recently saw lower speed limits. They were in the safety plan announced last year.

Edit: Finch is not getting lower speed limit. The Star has a map: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/tr...toronto-plan-to-reduce-pedestrian-deaths.html

 

[W. K. Lis]

The bad news is there is no "NEW" sunburst sign to announce the speed limit change. They change the signs (or remove them entirely) and don't tell anyone of the reduced speed limit. Good source of needed revenue, I guess, to pay for the new speed limit signs.

 

[Steve X]

The bad news is there is no "NEW" sunburst sign to announce the speed limit change. They change the signs (or remove them entirely) and don't tell anyone of the reduced speed limit. Good source of needed revenue, I guess, to pay for the new speed limit signs.

If they put those up, they'll have to have people take them down later. Majority of the local roads in Old Toronto and East York got the new 30 km/h limit too. How many signs will they ever need? It's the drivers' responsibility to notice speed limit and obey them. People drive at 70-80 km/h down Dixon all the time and even up to 90 km/h near Mimico Creek (near the 427). It's a great speed trap location. I knew people who got nailed there.

 

[BurlOak]

If they put those up, they'll have to have people take them down later. Majority of the local roads in Old Toronto and East York got the new 30 km/h limit too. How many signs will they ever need? It's the drivers' responsibility to notice speed limit and obey them. People drive at 70-80 km/h down Dixon all the time and even up to 90 km/h near Mimico Creek (near the 427). It's a great speed trap location. I knew people who got nailed there.

The key to a good speed trap is to design the road for 80km/hr and then lower the speed to 50.

 

[W. K. Lis]

The key to a good speed trap is to design the road for 80km/hr and then lower the speed to 50.

And smooth roads with wide traffic lanes, without potholes, also help the speed traps.