An email update was sent out today from the Clean Train Coalition. For more information about the CTC, please visit their website.

An Update from the Clean Train Coalition!

A number of important actions have taken place in the past week that you should know of. Last week the Toronto District School Board created a motion expressing concern about the health and noise effects of the Georgetown rail expansion, particularly as it affects the health of children. The Board will vote on this motion in two parts: tonight and at the full Board meeting in June. Contact me for a copy of the motion if you’re interested (outreach@cleantrain.ca)

We had a Press Conference at Queen’s Park today that was well attended by the Press and some MPPs. This gave us the opportunity to discuss our concerns about Metrolinx’s plans and to call on the Premier to explain why he’s not showing more concern about the negative health consequences of using diesel trains to power his “Green” revolution.

Toronto City Council has again voted to demand electrification of all rail lines within the City. They are considering a bylaw that would prohibit the introduction of new sources of air pollution, in this case diesel trains, into the City.

In the near future, we will be making deputations before the City of Toronto Board of Health.

News stories about the rail expansion and electrification have been recently published in all four Toronto dailies.

The Strachan Ave Superbridge proposed by Metrolinx will not proceed. A less intrusive model replaces the original highly offensive proposal.

We hope to keep you informed of what’s happening on a weekly basis. If you have any questions or comments, please write to me (Peter Morgan) at the above address. Check our website for more info: www.cleantrain.ca.

As a reaction to the Metrolinx / GO Transit "Georgetown South Service Expansion" project, a new grassroots organization has formed across West Toronto: The Clean Train Coalition.

The Clean Train Coalition, as its name suggests, is a coalition of community groups, residents, and other stakeholders in along the Georgetown South railway corridor who are concerned about the planned increases in diesel train traffic.

From the Clean Train Coalition website:

Clean Transit is Possible

Our city deserves a clean, effective and modern transportation system. Now is the time to build a transit solution that will benefit all of us and serve our region for decades to come. The solution should:

• Use clean-running, quiet and light weight electric trains
  Eliminate the harmful effects of diesel pollution
• Maintain and enhance neighbourhood connections
  Prevent the division and isolation of communities along the corridor
• Create accessible and affordable transit for everyone
  Ensure this public infrastructure project provides a lasting benefit to us all

For more information about the Clean Train Coalition, to get the latest news about the GSSE project, and to get involved, please visit their website at: www.cleantrain.ca

To discuss the effects of the GSSE project on our neighbourhood, you can use our local forum.

Banner image from the Clean Train Coalition website.

WHAT: Public open house for GO Transit's Davenport Diamond grade separation project
WHEN: Wednesday April 22 2009, 5:30 to 8:30pm
WHERE: St. Josephat's School, 55 Pelham Ave. (map)

The following flyer is provided by GO Transit (Click through for a larger version):

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE #1

Davenport Diamond Rail to Rail Grade Separation
City of Toronto

THE STUDY
GO Transit, the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas, is involved in an environmental assessment of the Davenport Diamond. The Study Area extends from Keele and Dufferin Streets to the West and East, and adjacent to Rogers Road and College Street in the North and South (as shown in the map).

GO trains operating on the Newmarket corridor between Union Station and Barrie cross over the CP North Toronto corridor just south of Davenport Road. It is proposed that a grade separation of the Davenport Diamond will improve rail access along the two corridors.

A flyer for GO Transit's Davenport Diamond Rail to Rail Grade Separation project public meeting on Wednesday April 22, 2009.

The following event information was provided by the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre:

EAST OF THE TRACKS: NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION

IF THE PILE DRIVERS ARE DRIVING YOU CRAZY....
COME TO A

COMMUNITY MEETING

THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD 7 P.M.
DAVENPORT PERTH NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
1900 DAVENPORT ROAD (BETWEEN SYMINGTON AND OLD WESTON)
Arts and Crafts Table for the Children
Interpreters in various languages

The monthly DIGIN meeting takes place on Tuesday April 14th, 7pm at the Wallace-Emerson Community Centre. This month's meeting is of particular interested to residents of the Junction Triangle. The main item on the agenda is a presentation by Mike Sullivan, chair of the Weston Community Coalition, speaking about the Georgetown South Service Expansion and how the significant increase in train traffic may affect our neighbourhood.

Looking north from the Wallace Ave. Pedestrian Bridge as a GO Train rides north through a snow storm.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2008-12-19.

Today Metrolinx issued a Notice of Commencement for the Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link Project (GSSE).

There will be a series of Open House meetings during the month of April. Here are the details of our local meeting:

When: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: The Lithuanian House, Hall B, 1573 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON (map).

If you can't make it to the local meeting, there will be five other sessions along the length of the study area. You can view the list here. An "online virtual house" will also be available starting April 15th.

The details below come from the Metrolinx meeting announcement flyer. Further details about the whole GSSE project can be found on the Metrolinx website.

If you wish to discuss this project, please use our forum.

Pile driver, part of GO Transit's West Toronto Diamond rail grade separation project. Viewed from the south end of Old Weston Rd. at Dupont St.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-03-28.