New. Stations. Public Information Centre

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1 New I Stations Public Information Centre King-Liberty SmartTrack Station St. Clair-Old Weston SmartTrack Station Spadina-Front GO Station Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station March 1, 2018

2 Today s Meeting Agenda 1. Project Overview Background, Process and Timeline 2. Update on Station Design 3. Environmental Findings 4. Questions / Discussion 2

3 What We Heard During Phase 1 Consultations Topics Discussed: General support for more transit in the community and the proposed new stations. Concerns about construction timing, costs, and impacts. Concerns about potential traffic, noise (including bells) and access during construction. Providing good connections between the new Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station and the Lansdowne Subway Station, as well as the Bloor Station on the Kitchener Corridor. Proposed Rail Deck Park should be incorporated into the plans for the new Spadina-Front GO Station. Stations should be well connected to pedestrian and cycling routes existing and planned (including West Toronto Rail Path). Service plan and frequency of service. Fare integration. 3

4 Our Rapid Transit Network Today 4

5 Our Future Rapid Transit Network 5

6 What is SmartTrack? SmartTrack is a new transit solution that makes better use of existing GO rail tracks to provide additional transit options within Toronto. SmartTrack includes: Rapid transit along 3 GO rail corridors (Kitchener, Lakeshore East, Stouffville) and along Eglinton Avenue West (Eglinton West LRT) 14 rail stations and 10 LRT stops, when the existing/planned rail stations and the Eglinton West LRT are taken into account SmartTrack benefits: Better use of the existing rail infrastructure along these GO rail corridors in Toronto More rapid transit for Toronto residents and businesses All-day two-way service, with more frequent trains during peak periods and every 15 minutes during off-peak periods Faster and quieter electric trains Fare integration 6

7 GO Regional Express Rail (RER) Metrolinx is embarking on a transformation of the existing GO rail system to provide: Four times the number of trips outside of weekday rush-hour periods, including evenings and weekends. Twice the number of trips during weekday rush-hour periods. Line extensions to new communities.

8 System Map 8

9 New SmartTrack and GO Stations in Toronto The new SmartTrack/ GO stations build upon the RER program. Within Toronto, 6 new SmartTrack stations are planned for the Stouffville/Lakeshore East and Kitchener GO rail corridors and 2 new GO stations are planned for the Barrie GO rail corridor. 9

10 King-Liberty SmartTrack Station DESIGN UPDATE Refinements Underway: Opportunities to extend the West Toronto Rail Path are being explored. One island platform has been replaced by two side platforms to accommodate updated Metrolinx service plans. Platforms have shifted north-west due to adjacent development constraints. Work in progress. Subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 10

11 St. Clair-Old Weston SmartTrack Station DESIGN UPDATE Refinements Underway: Transportation Master Plan recommendations are still being finalized Improved station access from west of rail corridor along St. Clair Avenue West is being explored Multi-use connections to future Lavender Creek cycle path are being explored Work in progress. Subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 11

12 Spadina-Front GO Station DESIGN UPDATE Refinements Underway: Station entrance will be oriented to both Front Street and Spadina Avenue Design protects for future third western entrance Tunnel or bridge access to station platform is being considered Work in progress. Subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 12

13 Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station DESIGN UPDATE Refinements Underway: New rail bridge may be required Multi-use path connection to future West Toronto Rail Path extension and Earlscourt Park are included as part of the environmental assessment process for the station Work in progress. Subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 13

14 Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Future Multi- Use Path on Barrie Corridor Existing West Toronto Rail Path Future West Toronto Rail Path Extension Scope of current Environmental Assessment 14

15 Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: MULTI-USE PATH EXTENSION BLOOR TO DUNDAS The assessment covers: Multi-use path extension from Bloor St. W. to Dundas St. W. Connection to St. Helens Ave./Dundas St. W. Ramp connection to the future West Toronto Rail Path Extension bridge. Note: DRAFT - subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 15

16 Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: EARLSCOURT PARK BRIDGE CONNECTION Multi-use trail coordination between Greenline and Greenway. Temporary AODA access to Foundry Ave. is through Davenport Village Park Existing ramp between Earlscourt Park and Davenport Rd. Note: DRAFT - subject to further adjustments through detailed design. 16

17 Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) Six new SmartTrack stations and two new GO stations are proposed within the city. The City and Metrolinx are working together to: Develop station designs Undertake the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) under Ontario Regulation 231/08 to assess the potential environmental effects of each of the new stations Public and stakeholder consultation is an important component of this process Public and stakeholder consultations are being held before and during TPAP Technical Advisory Committee Indigenous (Aboriginal) engagement is being carried out 17

18 TPAP (cont d) TPAP work includes a suite of supporting technical studies based on field work and significant data collection and analysis: Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, Socio-Economic, Natural Environment, Noise and Vibration, Air Quality, Traffic and Transportation, and Tree Inventory Technical studies are drafted and under review by regulatory agencies Existing environmental conditions were determined and the significance of specific features evaluated through field work and desktop studies Potential impacts of the project on these features are identified and documented Mitigation measures, monitoring strategies and future studies are recommended Technical studies will be posted for public review in spring 2018 An Environmental Project Report will be prepared for public review (anticipated summer/fall 2018) 18

19 TPAP Timeline and Next Steps SmartTrack Stations Ongoing Document Existing Conditions and Assess Environmental Impacts We Are Here Oct/Nov 2017 Feb/Mar 2018 Spring / Summer 2018 Summer/ Fall 2018 Fall 2018 Public & Stakeholder Consultation Round 1 Public & Stakeholder Consultation Round 2 Notice of TPAP Commencement Consult Stakeholders and Document Findings in EPR (120 days) Notice of Completion of EPR Public, agency, Indigenous communities review of EPR (30 days) Minister s Review and Notice (35 days) Statement of Completion 19

20 TPAP Timelines and Next Steps GO Stations Ongoing Document Existing Conditions and Assess Environmental Impacts We Are Here Oct/Nov 2017 Feb/Mar 2018 Summer 2018 Fall 2018 Public & Stakeholder Consultation Round 1 Public & Stakeholder Consultation Round 2 Notice of EPR Addendum Public, agency, Indigenous communities review of EPR (30 days) Minister s Review and Notice (35 days) Statement of Completion 20

21 Highlights From Environmental Studies NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND TREE INVENTORY Potential Effects Removal of some vegetation / trees Potential impacts to bird, bat and reptile Species at Risk Minimal effects to wildlife no critical habitats; common, disturbance tolerant species Potential disturbance/destruction of nests of migratory birds Potential temporary/indirect effects to nearby watercourses Mitigation Measures Implement an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plan Schedule construction outside of the overall bird nesting season of April 1 to August 31; where not possible nest surveys to be completed Adhere to relevant provincial standards for clearing and grubbing, site preparation and tree removal Compensate in accordance with Metrolinx Vegetation Compensation Protocol Meet requirements of Endangered Species Act, 2007 Complete Arborist Report in detailed design Implement tree protection barriers 21

22 Highlights From Environmental Studies SOCIO-ECONOMIC & LAND USE Potential Effects Improved multi-modal connectivity and public realm Temporary road/lane closures and access restrictions during construction; delays for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists Temporary use of/access to adjacent lands during construction Temporary visual effects resulting from construction activities (e.g., stockpiling, storage/laydown sites) Property requirements Temporary nuisance effects during construction (e.g., air quality, noise and vibration) Mitigation Measures Provide alternative access and signage Notify property owners and local residents about construction activities Confirm potential access/easement and property requirements and consult with property owners Visual screening of construction site to extent possible Develop aesthetically pleasing design following CPTED and Design Excellence principles Opportunities for public realm improvements will be explored Develop and implement the following plans: Construction Traffic Control and Management Plan, Air Quality Management Plan, Noise and Vibration Control Plan, Vegetation Compensation Protocol 22

23 Highlights From Environmental Studies ARCHAEOLOGY / CULTURAL HERITAGE Potential Effects Potential to recover archaeological resources Properties in the vicinity of the St. Clair-Old Weston, King-Liberty, and Bloor- Lansdowne stations have been identified as having potential or recognized cultural heritage value or interest Mitigation Measures Conduct Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment (AA) per recommendations of Stage 1 AA prior to construction Additional work underway for properties with cultural heritage value or interest that may be impacted 23

24 Highlights From Environmental Studies TRANSPORTATION General Effects In order to reduce potential traffic impacts, recommended focus for the stations is to serve transferring passengers from subway/surface transit routes, pedestrians and cyclists This will include direct transit connections where applicable, multiple pedestrian access points, and connections to cycling facilities Limited traffic impacts are anticipated for all stations, since car traffic to/from the stations will generally be low and users will connect with other transit, walk or cycle to/from the stations 24

25 Highlights From Environmental Studies NOISE AND VIBRATION Potential Effects Nighttime construction sound levels may exceed Federal Transit Administration (FTA) criterion at nearby residences Presence of station is not expected to affect sound levels (assessment is underway) No anticipated operations vibration effects Mitigation Measures A Noise and Vibration Control Plan will be developed prior to construction Construction to be planned to minimize the number of nights where noisy nighttime construction activities may be required Keep construction equipment in good repair A more detailed assessment of potential noise and vibration impacts will be developed as part of detailed design 25

26 Highlights From Environmental Studies AIR QUALITY Concentrations of selected contaminants predicted to be below target levels (provincial and federal) at sensitive receptors. Potential Effects Emissions from engines of construction equipment, dust emissions from stockpiles, loading/unloading activities and transportation of soils during construction Emissions from buses during operation Emissions from passenger vehicles (informal pick-up/drop-off, parking) during operation Mitigation Measures An Air Quality Management Plan will be developed and implemented to address items such as use of dust suppressant measures during construction (e.g., covering dump trucks, minimizing loading/unloading of soils and washing of construction equipment and vehicles) A more detailed assessment of potential air quality impacts will be developed as part of detailed design 26

27 Discussion Questions Do the results of the effects assessments seem reasonable? If not, why? Do you have comments on any particular mitigation (impact management) measures or monitoring activities that you would like Metrolinx/the City to consider? Is there anything else you would like to add? 27

28 Public Meeting Schedule Date & Time March 1, :30 pm-8:30 pm Presentation at 7 pm March 6, :30 pm-8:30 pm Presentation at 7 pm March 21, :15 pm-9 pm Presentation at 7:30 pm Location Lithuanian House 1573 Bloor Street West Scarborough Civic Centre 150 Borough Drive Queen Alexandra Middle School 181 Broadview Avenue Information on all new Toronto stations will be available at each meeting and online, so you can choose the location convenient for you. 28

29 Share Your Thoughts Please complete a feedback form and sign up to stay informed about the Project. Please submit your feedback by March 28, 2018 to be included in the published meeting summary All feedback will be recorded Visit and to review project materials Sign up for updates at newstations@metrolinx.com or SmartTrack@toronto.ca Call us: City of Toronto Metrolinx

30 New I Stations Thank You