Train Wall Summit Reveals Little Support for Metrolinx Plan

January 16, 2013

Mr. Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure
3rd Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Z8

Re: West Toronto Train Wall Summit

Dear Mr. Chiarelli:

Following on our meeting in November to discuss the electrification of the Georgetown South rail corridor, the Junction Triangle Rail Committee convened a meeting of West Toronto community groups on January 5th to discuss the Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall along the route.

Residents from groups in the West Bend, Weston, Mount Dennis, Dupont West, Parkdale, Roncesvalles and Liberty Village attended our event. From our discussions, we learned that there is little support for the Metrolinx “full build” Noise Wall plan. It was agreed by all participants that site specific issues cannot be addressed with a blanket policy and that the barriers should be built only on an as needs basis as determined by the residents community by community along the corridor.

A number of concerns about the impact of the Noise Walls were raised during our meeting. Participants wondered about the limited benefit of the walls to people and homes within 100 metres of the structures versus the impact of constructing massive barriers that will create safety issues, block light, inhibit the growth of plants and trees and provide a large canvas for graffiti stretching for miles across the city. The estimated $20-million construction cost is really only enough to cover the cheapest materials, so any offer of green, transparent, landscaped walls was deemed unrealistic.

There has not been enough scientific information provided on this issue. Metrolinx has backed away from your pledge to provide a technical study to determine the need for Noise Walls with electric trains. We think a technical study with terms agreed upon by all stakeholders would bring some clarity to the issue.

We are interested to know if your position on the need for a technical study has changed? We also would like to extend our invitation again to visit the Junction Triangle to see firsthand the impact these barriers will have on the neighbourhoods of West Toronto.

Many thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(Original Sent by Post)

Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca

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Electrification Chorus Grows

The chorus for electrification and integration to provide real transit solutions is growing by the day and getting harder to ignore. Folks, what we have been saying is catching on. This story captures all the details and all the potential that electrification could bring. THIS story is what we need to make front and centre during the next election.

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/01/cityrail-getting-gta-moving

Budget Creates Opportunity for Electric Trains

The Junction Triangle Rail Committee has sent NDP provincial leader Andrea Horwath a letter asking her to make electrification of the rail corridor a condition for supporting the spring budget. If you agree that the NDP should seize this opportunity to make good on their promise of Clean Trains Now, please consider copying the letter and sending it with your name on it directly to Andrea at ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca

January 28, 2014

Andrea Horwath
Leader, New Democratic Party of Ontario
Room 113, Main Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A5

Re: Spring Budget Opportunity – Open Letter

Dear Andrea:

The provincial spring budget offers the Ontario New Democratic Party an opportunity to deliver on your frequently stated promise of “Clean Trains Now.”

The NDP holds the balance of power in the legislature and this will be the last opportunity for you to make good on your pledge before an election this year. Many Junction Triangle residents have been disappointed by your party’s failure keep your promise on two previous occasions.

You have visited our neighbourhood and indicated your support for electrification personally. NDP MPPs have posted hundreds of signs around West Toronto calling for Clean Trains Now.

Can you assure area residents that you will keep your promise this time and negotiate support for the spring budget in exchange for electrification of the Georgetown South rail corridor?

Many thanks for your consideration. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

(Sent Electronically)

Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca
Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents Association
Jonah Schein, MPP, Davenport
Cheri DiNovo, MPP, Parkdale-High Park

Call the Mayor

The Junction Junction Triangle Rail Committee is are starting 2014 with some new ideas about finding a better resolution to noisy diesel trains than 16-foot high concrete noise walls. As our past suggests, we are no strangers to unorthodox approaches to this problem.
With that in mind, we are asking area residents to call Mayor Rob Ford's office over the next few days. He is well known for many things including his hate for government waste and graffiti. The provincial Liberal government is prepared to let Metrolinx build 10 kilometres of graffiti walls through West Toronto. Less than three kilometres of those walls are required for the launch of the Union Pearson Express next year. We don't need seven kilometres of additional walls for more graffiti.
So please take a moment and call his office: 416-397-3673. A dozen calls from local residents will get us on the radar and might help us gain a new ally in a battle we are losing (so far). Ask the Mayor to help us stop this waste of money and prevent the construction of a massive canvas for graffiti and gang tagging through our neighbourhood.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/413180405403017/

Sent to Mr Chiarelli about the noise walls

Re: Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall along the Georgetown South rail corridor.

Dear Mr. Chiarelli,

I would like to echo the concerns about the Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall raised by residents from in the neighbourhoods across Toronto's west end that includes West Bend, Weston, Mount Dennis, Dupont West, Parkdale, Roncesvalles, Liberty Village and Junction Triangle.

As noted by Kevin Putnam of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee, the residents shared their concerns at a recent meeting about these noise walls. They wondered about the limited benefit of the walls to people and homes within 100 metres of the structures versus the impact of constructing massive barriers that will create safety issues, block light, inhibit the growth of plants and trees and provide a large canvas for graffiti stretching for miles across the city.

Imagine if Chicago decided to build five metre walls across their entire 'L' system. What would that city look like? Actually, you probably wouldn't see much of the city with all those walls!

Please consider the impact these massive walls will have on these neighbourhoods.

Thank you for your time.