Yes an 8 Lane freeway that was built through a planned suburban community and demolished zero homes destroyed the fabric of the city but a 4+ Track Train Corridor (Eg. Lakeshore/Georgetown Lines) that rips right through formerly established neighbourhoods (and makes a lot of noise) was amazing...cuz it doesn't serve the car...
This extreme ideological mindset is whats exactly wrong with this city...
Going one step further what other lines rip established communities apart considering there was only one line in the first place?
The Lakeshore was upgraded to 2 tracks in the beginning of the 1900's when Grand Truck built the 2nd line to stop competition with them. It was a single line from day one from Hamilton like all the lines that were built leading into or out of Toronto.
Anyway, where is there 4 tracks other than between Bathurst St and the Humber that you talk about?? The Toronto Rail Corridor was built before most of Toronto existed and it had more than 4 tracks as there was a yard there.
Do you know that rail corridor along the Toronto waterfront was the water edge back in the 1850’s, not where the waterfront is today?? That from the Don River to the Humber River. Need to view the old city maps as well the archives to see photos showing this.
If it wasn't for the railroad, most of this country wouldn't exist today. If it wasn't for the RR, cost of everything would be double or more due to shipping cost. At the sametime, Cities and housing have chased industry away from the RR corridors because of high land value and taxes. When house get built next to the tracks, everyone bitches because of the noise from the trains. My answers is very simple live with it or move as the RR are here to stay. You chose to live there, not the RR/GO Transit/VIA Rail.
If you go over to Bathurst St and look at what being unveiled on the south east side of Front Street, you will find the remains of part of Old Fort York and docks that were destroy in 1812 when the America attacked it and burn it down. The first RR yard was located there when GT arrived in Toronto.
Every Town and cities that existed when RR begain operation wanted the RR's to service them to the point, most RR lines were outside the of any downtown that existed then.
Expanding subway into low density suburbs is a waste of resouces and money. If these areas want a subway, then they should foot the bill 100% for both construction and operatering cost than having everyone giving them a free ride by having to pay a higher user fee as well poor service for rest of the system.