(rendering of the new proposal)
Wow. After just a few weeks, Metrolinx has bowed to public pressure and changed its plans for Strachan Avenue. It had originally planned a "Super-Bridge" on Strachan to span the rail corridor, but is now opting to lower the rail corridor and build a smaller bridge that respects the local community... and they're going to include bikelanes.
Here's the news from Councillor Joe Pantalone's office:
It is with the greatest pleasure that I am writing to let you know that Metrolinx has listened to the residents, businesses and other organizations that sent hundreds and hundreds of messages and letters regarding the rail grade separation at Strachan Avenue.
You will recall that all of us have been arguing for an urban friendly solution and against a solution that would have severely damaged our neighbourhood and our city. On all our behalf, I met with Mr. Rob Prichard, the new President and CEO of Metrolinx, last Monday morning.
The result of this, and countless other discussion, is a win-win outcome for our neighbourhood and Metrolinx. Here are some of the details of what Metrolinx will now propose and I support:
1) The super-bridge that cuts off Strachan Avenue from Douro Street and Wellington Street West is gone;
2) The rail corridor will be lowered at the Wellington Street West/Douro Street intersection will be 1.1 metres higher (approximately one foot higher than what the City proposed) * (see attached rendering).
The intersection will not significantly be affected with all traffic/pedestrian/cyclingturns as they are at the present time; and
3) To further reduce the height of the new bridge, Metrolinx has thinned the brick deck. To also address the issue of creating a cycling and pedestrian friendly corridor to our Waterfront and to our neighbourhoods, cycling lanes and pedestrian sidewalks now are included in the proposal.
While the details are not fully worked out, I am confident that this new proposal meets what we all have strived to achieve over the past year: to keep Strachan Avenue an urban friendly street. While there will be some construction disruption as this increased GO Transit and Union Station service to Pearson Airport are built, these now become matters of detail that can be solved.
Metrolinx will hold its second Open House on June 16th, 2009 at Historic Fort York between 3:00 and 8:00 pm. At that time, this acceptable solution will be formally presented to the community.
I want to conclude by thanking our MPP Rosario Marchese and our MP Olivia Chow for working closely with us. I want to thank Mr. Prichard and those at MetroLinx who listened to us, City of Toronto staff who worked hard behind the scenes, and I want to thank you for getting involved and, by doing so, making our Toronto an even better place to live, work and play as we expand our much needed public transit system in Toronto and the GTA.
Sincerely,
Joe Pantalone
Deputy Mayor
City of Toronto
Labels: infrastructure, news
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