Junction Triangle

Kristen writes:

"Jeff's documentary Bending the Rails, set here in our neighbourhood, is airing on Rogers at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 14th. Hope you can tune in! [Link to more info on the Rogers TV website]"

If you go to the Rogers website, you can watch a short promo trailer for the film.

Also, in addition to the film, Rogers will feature an interview with Jeff Winch. Tune in if you can!

"Bending The Rails is a documentary by Toronto filmmaker Jeff Winch about a local issue directly affecting The Junction Triangle. The Junction is surrounded by railway lines and the film focuses on the increase of diesel train traffic scheduled to pass through the area. Citizens along the rail corridor want clean electric trains and fear the negative impact toxic diesel pollution will have on their neighbourhoods. Rogers TV presents an in depth interview with Jeff Winch and a screening of his film all in a special one hour presentation."

A news story and an Op Ed piece in the Star continue to question the rationale for how Metrolinx has "planned" the airport link.

Federal NDP member for Weston ( already pretty knowledgeable on rail issues) covers off all of the basic issues about the APL that will come back to haunt us.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1103616--the-eve...

Here's another opportunity to see local filmmaker Jeff Winch's documentary about the diesel train expansion around our neighbourhood.

Green 13 hosts - Bending the Rails
Sponsored by the Annette Library
Located at: 145 Annette Street
Date: Monday, September 19, 2011
Time: 6:30 pm
Running time: 45 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker Jeff Winch after the screening

Details from the Facebook event page:

Bending the Rails: documentary about the diesel trains

Time: Tuesday, August 30 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Revue Cinema

More Info: Free screening at the Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles) Tuesday August 30 @ 7:00PM. MP Andrew Cash, Councillor Ana Bailão, MPP Cheri DiNovo, filmmaker Jeff Winch and Paul Gorczynski from the office of Peggy Nash will be in attendance. Q&A after screening (running time 45 mins)

The Junction Triangle in Toronto is surrounded by railway lines. Very soon those rails will bring excessive toxic diesel pollution to the neighbourhood, courtesy of the Ontario Government.

Citizens all along the rail corridor want clean electric trains, but Premier Dalton McGuinty isn’t listening.

With government sorely letting it down, the scrappy Junction Triangle fights on.

But the diesel trains are coming closer and time is running out

For more info, contact jw@jeffwinch.com.

JT local artist/filmaker/teacher Jeff Winch's new film "Bending The Rails" is featured in this edition of The Villager. Jeff raises many questions about why diesel was chosen over the superior electric and what the impact might be. It is important to keep in mind that electrification, despite rosy sounding press releases, remains an unknown so his film is very timely. From the story:

Through his documentary, Winch aims to raise awareness.

The following update is from Metrolinx. You can download a PDF copy of the document here.

The Georgetown South Project will provide infrastructure improvements to meet existing GO Transit ridership demand and future growth. It will also accommodate the new Air Rail Link service between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

West Toronto Diamond Construction Update:

Road Closure – June 15 to November 15

When the Georgetown South Project Environmental Study Report (also called an Environmental Assessment or EA) was completed in July 2009, the Minister of the Environment (MOE) requested, among other things, more analysis about any human health impacts from emissions following the implementation by GO Transit of Tier 4 emission standards – a new, more stringent engine technology.

We were also asked to draft a revised human health mitigation plan to address residual health risks, if any, after moving to Tier 4-compliant locomotives.

Next Steps: Have Your Say

Public Meeting
Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 7:00 p.m.)
Annette Street Public Library, 145 Annette Street

An update from Metrolinx, regarding their West Toronto Diamond and Georgetown South projects. Recent email update with some details is posted here.

The following update is from Metrolinx. You can download a PDF copy of the document here.

The Georgetown South Project will provide infrastructure improvements to meet existing GO Transit ridership demand and future growth. It will also accommodate the new Air Rail Link service between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

West Toronto Diamond Construction: Road Closure mid-June to mid-November
A full road closure of Old Weston Road and Junction Road is necessary for pile validation work across the road.
For safety reasons, pedestrian access will also be closed during this time. Signage will be posted prior to the road closure.

Project Description
Work will focus in the Old Weston and Junction Roads area. Soil will be removed from within the pipe piles and replaced with concrete and sealing materials to create water-tight walls for the train underpass. A small number of piles will be replaced using vibration and some impact hammer - similar to the methods used in the latter part of 2010.

Looking Ahead
For two weeks in early July, during CP Rail’s annual track closure, we will complete the pile validation work beneath the connecting tracks. Extended work hours will be needed to complete the work during this tight timeline. We will inform the community of the extended hours prior to work beginning.

Public Meeting
Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 7:00 p.m.)
Annette Street Public Library, 145 Annette Street

The following announcement comes from Metrolinx / GO Transit. You can download the original announcement here (615KB PDF).

Georgetown South Project - Construction Update

The Georgetown South (GTS) Project will provide infrastructure improvements to meet existing GO Transit ridership demand and
future growth. It will also accommodate the new Air Rail Link service between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

Bloor Street West Bridge
Road Closure: April 30 – May 2

Project Description
Between April 30 and May 2, 2011, a new span will be installed on the east side of the Bloor Street West bridge (near Bloor and
Dundas Streets) to accommodate additional tracks. The work involves modifying the existing concrete abutments and installing
the new span. Most of the work will be from above.

Road closure for installation of the new span

• Full road closure between Dundas Street West and Perth Avenue from Saturday, April 30 at 5 a.m. to Monday, May 2 at 5 a.m.