Rail Committee

Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Sharing Boundaries (Green Alternatives to Metrolinx Noise Wall)

Tuesday, June 25 - 7 p.m.
Perth Avenue Housing Co-Op
120 Perth Avenue (at Bloor)

A presentation by the award-winning architects Brown & Storey outlining a green alternative to the Metrolinx plan to build 16-feet high concrete noise walls through our neighbourhood next year. Q & A to follow. Free, All Welcome. Presented by the Junction Triangle Rail Committee.

New Cancer Train Website Makes Case for Electric Trains Now

A new website has just launched in support of electric trains now. It is well done and worth checking out. http://cancertrain.ca/

Rail Committee: Letter to Andrea Horwath, NDP

The following letter was sent from the Junction Triangle Rail Committee:

March 1, 2013

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

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

Dear Ms. Horwath:

Like a number of residents in the Junction Triangle in West Toronto, I am disappointed by the actions of the provincial government related to the expansion of diesel train service and the Pearson airport rail link on the Georgetown South rail corridor.

Residents along the rail corridor have been vocal in their support of electric trains. Your party and local NDP representatives have been actively campaigning on the issue for “Clean Trains Now” with lawn signs, petitions, public rallies and even a Private Member’s Bill.

You can imagine our disappointment with your party for missing two recent opportunities to make electrification government policy in exchange for supporting a Liberal minority government. Placing tax policy changes and auto insurance reductions ahead of electrification contradicts the long-standing policy statements of your members from Davenport, Parkdale-High Park and Trinity-Spadina of electric trains “now.”

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.

Ana Bailao's Metrolinx Sound Wall Community Consultation

From Ward 18 Councillor Ana Bailao's office.

It's important to note that this meeting is being organized by Ward 18 city councillor Ana Bailao and not Metrolinx. Metrolinx are holding their own meeting on this topic later in the month (February 21).

You can download a PDF copy of this announcement here.

Dear Residents,

I am holding a public meeting on the issue of the large sound walls, which Metrolinx has determined will be installed next to the West Toronto Railpath in Ward 18.

Our community should be well-informed and able to exert positive influence on Metrolinx decisions that affect us. For these reasons I ask you to join me and members of our community for a presentation and discussion on Thursday, February 7th, 6:30PM at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Cathedral (143 Franklin Ave).

Please review the attached flyer and contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.

I look forward to a strong community turnout for this meeting.

Sincerely,

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

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.

Junction Triangle Hosts First Metrolinx Wall Summit


Community groups to express concern over air rail link barrier walls at weekend meeting
Bloor West Villager by Rahul Gupta

A west-end group concerned about a series of noise barrier walls planned by Metrolinx will hold a summit to discuss the issue this weekend.

Kevin Putnam of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee (JTRC) said his group has invited other community groups for a frank exchange on the controversial walls, which Metrolinx wants erected along the Georgetown South rail corridor.

Train Wall Horror Show

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.

JT Mothers Against Diesel Potluck

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.

Letter to Dalton McGuinty - Invitation to Meet Re: Diesel Train Service Expansion

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

Bending the Rails - Screening on Rogers TV

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."

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