scarborough subway extension: corridors being coonsidered

Scarborough Subway

Extension EA

Media Technical Briefing

January 29, 2015

City of Toronto, City Planning Division

Toronto Transit Commision

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Media Briefing Purpose

• We are here today to:

– Introduce you to the Scarborough Subway Extension Project

Assessment study

– Outline the overall study process that will be used to determine

the route alignment and station locations for the Scarborough

Subway Extension

– Highlight upcoming opportunities for public input

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Background

• City Council confirmed support for the extension of the Bloor-

Danforth (Line 2) subway line in October, 2013

• The proposed extension would replace the existing Scarborough RT

• We are conducting a detailed assessment to determine the

best route and station locations for the new subway extension

– Kennedy Station

– Scarborough Centre

– Sheppard Avenue

• Route and station locations are subject to an Environmental Assessment – Transit Project Assessment Process

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Note - All station location and alignment

options being considered are located within

the study area. Residents across Scarborough

and the entire City of Toronto will benefit from

transit and transportation network

improvements created by the Scarborough

Subway Extension

Study Area

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Objectives

• Support the city-building principles outlined in the city’s Official

Plan and Provincial Policy Statement

• Make transit as attractive a travel option as practically

possible in this area of Scarborough

• Better Experience

• No Transfer

• Faster Travel Time

• Minimize adverse environmental impacts

• Achieve cost-effectiveness

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Transit Progress

• Toronto is currently undertaking the most significant transit

expansion program in our history

• Significant capital funding has been invested in projects that

are under construction or already planned

− Toronto-York Spadina Subway

Extension

− Eglinton Crosstown LRT

− Union Station Expansion

− Union-Pearson Express

− Sheppard East & Finch West

LRTs

− New subway and streetcar

vehicles

− Improved subway operations

• We need to do more to meet current and future demand

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Projects Being Planned

• We are currently studying the next group of projects for

consideration in the transit network

– Scarborough Subway Extension

– SmartTrack

– Relief Line

• Studies are being accelerated while ensuring significant community input

– Projects need to be “shovel ready” when funding becomes

available

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Who is Involved?

City Planning Division is leading planning studies for rapid transit projects

• Scarborough Subway

• SmartTrack

•Relief Line

TTC is a partner in planning studies

•Provide technical expertise in engineering, design and infrastructure

Metrolinx coordinates transit planning across the region

•GO Transit

•The Big Move

Planning the Scarborough

Subway Extension

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Building Toronto The Official Plan envisions a safe city

that evokes pride, passion and a sense

of belonging – a city where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy a

good quality of life.

A city with…

A comprehensive and high quality affordable transit

system that lets people move

quickly and conveniently

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Rapid Transit Network

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Communications & Outreach

• Communications activities:

– A dedicated website

– Social media campaign

– Outreach in public spaces

• Consultation and feedback:

– Stakeholder Advisory Group of

community leaders

– Online consultation

– Traditional public meetings in the

study area

– Interactive workshops

The City and TTC are committed to engaging the public in a way

that’s transparent, collaborative, inclusive and authentic. The City Planning Division will lead consultations.

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Timelines

Current Work

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Phase 1: Setting the Stage

Key Decisions

• Confirm study purpose and objectives

• Confirm the study approach and timing, including a plan for

public consultation

• Identify a range of routes and station locations for analysis

• Develop a process and measures to choose the best route

Examples of Public Input

• How should we evaluate the corridor options?

• What do you like about each corridor?

• Are there other corridors to be considered?

• How do you want to be engaged in the process?

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Analysis of Existing Conditions Examples:

• Land Use Patterns

– Areas of stability

– Opportunities for change

• Existing Transportation

conditions

– Existing transit routes

– Travel time for subway

passengers

– Travel patterns

• Social environment

– Public spaces

– Community services and

facilities

• Cultural environments

– Archaeological resources

– Heritage buildings

• Existing Infrastructure

– Large sewers and

watermains

– Hydro and communications

infrastructure

• Natural environment

– Groundwater

– Creeks

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Corridors Being Considered

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Evaluation Criteria Criteria will be consistent with the Official Plan Update,

“Feeling Congested?”

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Make things better for transit riders?

Ease crowding on the system?

How will each corridor…

Provide choices for people to get where they

want to go?

Connect to local and regional bus routes?

Improve access for all residents to transit?

Help reduce inequities in areas currently under-

served by transit?

* These are examples of the evaluation criteria.

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Connect with where people live?

Provide transportation options for future

residents?

How will each corridor…

Build on the strengths of existing neighbourhoods?

Improve public areas around stations?

Reduce the distance people drive?

Impact the environment and natural features?

* These are examples of the evaluation criteria.

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Open up new economic development

opportunities?

Provide better access to jobs?

How will each corridor…

Be affordable to construct?

Be affordable to operate?

* These are examples of the evaluation criteria.

Future Phases

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Making Decisions • Study Approach & Timing

•Public Consultation Plan

• Long List of Corridors

•Evaluation Criteria

Phase 1 - Setting the Stage

• Identify Alternative Corridors, and

• Select Preferred Corridor Phase 2 - Choosing the Corridor

•Analysis of Alignments and Station Concepts, and

• Select Recommended Subway Extension

Phase 3 – Recommending the Alignment

•Transit Project Assessment Process Phase 4 - Final Review

Approved Route

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Key Decisions in Each Phase

Phase 2

• Apply the evaluation criteria developed in Phase 1 to assess corridor

options and choose the preferred corridor

Phase 3

• Apply evaluation criteria developed in Phase 1 to identify the

recommended alignment within the corridor chosen in Phase 2

• Identify mitigation strategies for any potential impacts of

recommended alignment

Phase 4

The final review will be undertaken through the Transit Project Assessment

Process (TPAP), a streamlined six month process that satisfies the

Environmental Assessment Act.

• Review of all decisions made in phases 1-3

• Finalization of mitigation strategies for any potential impacts

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scarboroughsubwayextension.ca

to learn more Use online surveys to provide

more feedback

Join the project mailing list

scarboroughsubwayextension@toronto.ca

416-338-3095

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neighbours!

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