Junction Triangle

Event information from Metrolinx:

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

Bloor GO Station Public Meeting
GO Transit is committed to keeping you informed about our construction activities and infrastructure projects. In keeping with The Big Move, Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan, we are planning to update and improve Bloor GO Station, making it a more modern link to safe, comfortable and convenient public transportation by early 2015. The project involves station enhancements, including a new barrier-free pedestrian tunnel and rehabilitation of the existing pedestrian access from Bloor Street. The improved Bloor GO Station will also feature an Air Rail Link stop, providing a seamless connection from Union Station to Pearson International Airport .

You are invited to attend our public information session to learn about the upcoming plans for Bloor GO Station. Representatives from GO Transit, as well as the project’s consultants, will be on hand to answer questions.

Monday, December 10 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Lithuanian House
1573 Bloor Street West

The following meeting announcement come from Kelly Thornton at Metrolinx:

When: Thu, 1 November, 18:30 – 20:30
Where: 2054 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario (Toronto Police Service 11 Division) (map)
Description: Join us for the West Toronto Diamond Project Public Meeting to get an update on construction and what to look forward to in 2013.

Kelly Thornton
Community Relations

Assembly point for the Clean Train Parade is Wallace Ave+ the West Toronto Rail Path. As of 1pm, the parade will proceed down the Railpath, across Bloor, along Dundas West and down Sorauren to arrive at Sorauren Park between 1:30 and 2:00. The preliminary Park event program schedule will have activities from 1:30-4 pm. Main stage will start at 2pm including a mix of music and speeches.

There will be more info on this soon.

From the Junction Triangle Rail Committee:

Sunday, September 16, 2012
12 Noon – 3 p.m.
Perth Square Park (350 Perth Avenue)

For anyone wondering what the future of diesel train service in the Junction Triangle will look like, you can see it on display in Perth Square Park on Sunday, September 16 from Noon til 3 p.m.

Perth Square Park

Thursday, August 30, 2012

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

More diesel trains appear to be coming to the Junction Triangle (JT) as the provincial government rushes to build a rail link to the airport in time for the Pam Am Games in 2015. Frustrated by government’s unwillingness to address the shortcomings in their plan, Mothers of the Junction Triangle are hosting a potluck and taking their concerns directly to Premier Dalton McGuinty.

If you want to see electric trains running on the Georgetown corridor, join us in the park. There will be food, fun for the kids and a special direct line to the Premier’s office where everyone is invited to tell him what you think.

Lots of great things are happening in the Junction Triangle. Schoolyard revitalization and library expansion are underway because people are coming together with a shared purpose and aiming high. We can bring change to public transit in the same way; a shared purpose with the aim of persuading the decision-maker, Dalton McGuinty that electric rail is our choice.

August 8, 2012

Mr. Dalton McGuinty
Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Re: Invitation to Meet Re: Diesel Train Service Expansion in West Toronto

Dear Mr. McGuinty:

Like a number of residents in the Junction Triangle in West Toronto, I am dismayed by the actions of your government related to the expansion of diesel train service and the Pearson airport rail link.

After years of delay and misinformation, the government’s own consultant stated clearly at a Metrolinx public meeting on June 27 that there are no technical issues preventing the construction of an electric rail airport link except the political will. Construction could be completed in time for the Pan Am Games (three years) and cost about $400-million.

It is regrettable that no member of your government attended this meeting to answer questions. During the past several years and repeated attempts to meet, no member of your government has ever attended a public meeting to address the concerns of Junction Triangle residents. As we experienced on June 27, a government agency and hired consultants with no decision-making authority have been put forward to deflect questions.

There are many good reasons to expand public transit, but nothing suggests rushing to install diesel technology in time for a two-week sporting event will have any benefit for the people in West Toronto forced to live with this legacy for the next generation.

Despite policy differences, you have always struck me as a pragmatic and reasonable person. Could we arrange a time to meet with you and the Transportation Minister to discuss this matter? Many thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

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

Construction update provided by Metrolinx. Please download the original notice here (188K PDF file).

Georgetown South Project
Construction Update

The West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation Project is an important rail infrastructure project that will eliminate a major bottleneck at the most heavily used rail crossing in Canada. When completed, GO trains on the Kitchener line will pass below CP freight lines, and this will improve service reliability, reduce noise, and allow for future service improvements to reduce congestion in the northwest of Toronto.

Annual CP Rail Track Closure
Extended Hours: 24 Hours a day from July 3 -16

What we are doing

• Removing CP Rail’s connecting track and excavating the roadway so we can work on the walls of the lowered rail corridor in this area
• Cleaning and reinforcing the pipe piles
• Forming tunnels under the tracks and roadway to prepare for the final bridge installation and excavation of the corridor

How this will affect you

• Work will take place for 24 hours a day due to the short period of time available during the annual CP Rail track closure. This track closure is only available once a year for approximately two weeks.
• This work does not produce elevated levels of noise or vibration. Nearby residents may hear the sounds of construction equipment operating and see lighting in the work area overnight.

Please note: This work is crucial to reopening the rail crossing at Junction Road and Old Weston Road. We plan to reopen the rail crossing in September. It will need to be closed in late 2012 or early 2013 for 2 to 3 months to install the north bridge portion. It will then close again in the fall of 2013 for a few months to install the south portion.

Please visit gotransit.com/gts for updates or please call Kelly at 416-604-9582 for more information.

Meeting notice from Metrolinx:

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

Electrification Update
Public Meeting

Metrolinx is holding a public meeting to provide an update on the Electrification of the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors, including the new Airport Rail Link (ARL) service.

We hope you can join us to learn about the process and discuss it with us further.

Wednesday June 27, 2012
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1A6
This venue is wheelchair accessible

At this public meeting, project team members will provide information and an update on the:

• Environmental Assessment process for electrification of the ARL service along the Kitchener corridor
• Electrification design for the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors
• Development of performance standards for electrification for the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors

The Montreal Airport Authority is proposing finally building an airport rail link. Following the lead of Vancouver they are going electric, making it truly available to most people, and building a commuter aspect that will create greater ridership and revenue. It gets harder and harder to justify the system that Dalton McGuinty wants as a photo op for the Pan Am games when other cities are building systems of the future.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Airport+transit+system+could+have+st...

Message from Ward 18 Councillor Ana Bailão, with meeting poster attached:

Dear Neighbours,

As you are aware, Metrolinx has been active making infrastructure upgrades to the Georgetown Rail Corridor. Among the upgrades are new sound walls which will run along various parts of the corridor and our neighbourhoods.

As there are a number of options for material and design of these sound walls, I have organized a public meeting for community groups to be informed about these options and be involved in this process.

I encourage anyone interested to attend a presentation by Metrolinx staff on April 30th to hear about available options and provide input into the final design.

Public Meeting
Date: April 30rd
Start Time: 6:30pm
Location: Shirley St. Public School, Gym
38 Shirley Street, Toronto

Ana Bailão

City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport
councillor_bailao@toronto.ca (416) 392-7012 www.AnaBailao.ca