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June 2014

Relief Line Project Assessment

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Today’s Session • Overview of the Relief Line Project Assessment

• Discussion Questions• Q&A

Future Sessions

• Consult / seek input on various study tasks:• Development of evaluation criteria• Station location review• Route alignment review

Agenda

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Relationship between the Metrolinx and City/TTC studies

Shared GoalRelieve crowding

on the Yonge Subway Line and

on the overall transit network

Regional ObjectivesYonge Relief Network StudyConsidering short, medium and long-term solutions:• Making better use of

what we have• New infrastructure• Innovative policies

Local ObjectivesRelief Line Project

AssessmentConsidering alternative designs for a new rapid transit line:• Station locations• Route alignment• Maximize benefit on

local neighbourhoods

• Improve access into Downtown Toronto

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‹#›

How do the pieces fit together?

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Background

6How Did We Get Here?

2008 - Metrolinx Big Move includes Relief Line in 25-year plan.

2009 – Toronto City Council requests TTC commence studies for the Relief Line.

2012 – Results of TTC study of downtown rapid transit confirm requirement for Relief Line.

2012 - Metrolinx includes Relief Line in its “Next Wave” of projects with a recommendation for further study.

2013 – Metrolinx launches YRNS to identify crowding relief solutions from a regional network perspective. City/TTC launches the Relief Line Project Assessment.

2013 - City of Toronto Official Plan review. Preliminary work suggests that the Relief Line could be a priority.

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Crowding and Congestion on the Rapid Transit Network

• Capacity improvements underway for Line 1 – Yonge-University-Spadina Line– New Toronto Rocket Trains:

+10% – Automatic Train Control: +25%– Spadina Subway Extension

(diverted demand): about 5-10%

• Bloor-Yonge station is currently over design capacity and will continue to be a constraint

• The transfer from the Bloor Line to the Yonge Line is currently constrained and will continue to deteriorate

8Findings from the Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study

• Work to date has determined a new high capacity rapid transit line, fully separated from traffic, could:– Provide increased transit capacity to relieve

pressure on the Yonge Subway line– Provide relief to the Bloor-Yonge Interchange

Station– Provide flexibility for the TTC subway system– Improve transit service to the downtown

shoulder areas and relief to crowding on the streetcar network

9Why are we planning the Downtown to Danforth Section first?

• This initial phase would provide the greatest and most immediate benefit to relieving overcrowding on the Yonge Subway Line.

• The Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study findings note that this section of a new Relief Line could:– Reduce southbound transfers at Bloor-Yonge Station by approximately 30%– Reduce Yonge Subway line demand by 12%– Have a peak hour demand of 11,700 transit riders (based on 2031 projections)

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Relief Line Study Area

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Proposed Study Process

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Audiences

Local City-wide Regional

Neighbourhoods within the Relief Line study area

City of Toronto, outside of study area

Outside the City of Toronto

• Consider affects on local residents and businesses

• Consider how the Relief Line may affect local mobility and land use

• Consider constructability and cost

• Maximize benefit and minimize impacts on local neighbourhoods

• Ensure the Relief Line will benefit the entire city

• Consider how the Relief Line will improve access into Downtown Toronto

• Consider the positive affects of the Relief Line on the TTC network

• Ensure the Relief Line will benefit the broader region

• Consider how the Relief Line could provide an attractive transit alternative for trips

• Consider how the Relief Line may affect the transit network outside of the city and broader economic development patterns at a regional scale

We anticipate a range of perspectives and interests:

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Study Process (Terms of Reference)

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Opportunities for Input

• Phase 1B– Provide name suggestions for the Relief Line– Existing and future conditions analysis– Provide feedback on findings of previous studies

• Phase 2– Provide information about travel patterns– Identify station and route options– Help to create evaluation criteria for the proposed station locations and alignments

• Phase 3– Provide feedback on short-listed options

• Phase 4– Qualitative analysis of options– Help to create the strategy for mitigating any potential negative impacts – Provide feedback on recommendations

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Highlights of feedback on the study process, and scope:

• Include an urban planning visioning process in the project• Invite international experts to assist with the project and

present at a public symposia.• Continue collaboration with Metrolinx, and other

agencies/initiatives • Liaise on opportunities of mutual benefit with Toronto Hydro

and other utilities• Incorporate sustainable transportation in decision-making• Include a cost-benefit analysis for each of the shortlisted

alignments• Include areas north and west for planning context when

considering routing options• Examine comparable projects in other countries • Proceed with the Relief Line naming contest as soon as possible

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Highlights of feedback on the consultation:

• Spread project meetings out to a broader City geography • Use social media tools (Reddit or Twitter) with a dedicated hashtag• Translate all materials and consultation documents into other

languages • Develop guidelines and a guide for messaging• Explore online mapping and interactive tools• Share information, data on the website• Develop a “living” FAQ, to submit questions & get answers via social

media• Continue the use of crowdsourcing tools, such as the wiki• Hold mini-fora in various parts of the Study Area using street-teams • Have street teams and/or suggestion boxes/kiosks on transit to allow

non-internet users to contribute • Target future stakeholder meetings by sector • Make sure the public understands the consultation process.

17How we will consult

Feedback Categories Feedback Outcomes

Information City/TTC staff will share key information and actions during each phase of the project through the project website, email list, social media and print material.

Online Consultation City/TTC staff will solicit comments and feedback on key decisions through the website to engage a large number of people across the region.

Live Events City/TTC staff will host open houses, public meetings and workshops at key points in the study. Participants will learn about the project and provide their input.

Community Outreach City/TTC staff will pro-actively educate and solicit feedback from the community by engaging with existing resident, business and interest groups.

Stakeholder Advisory Group

City/TTC staff will engage community leaders, advocates and experts in the decision-making process throughout the study via a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG).

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Next Steps / Process Overview

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Next Steps

1. Finalized Terms of Reference and Public Consultation Plan (Phase 1A) will be presented to Council for approval in June.

2. If Council approval is given the project team will proceed with Phases 1B-4 for the Relief Line Project Assessment.

3. At the end of Phase 4 a draft project report will be submitted to Council and the TTC Board.

4. The report will seek Council and TTC Board approval to proceed to final project review.

5. The final project review is known as the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP),where the final project report is submitted to the Ministry of Environment.

20Rapid Transit Planning Process

Feasibility Review

ASSESS

DESIGN

FINAL PROJECT REVIEW

• The Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study (DRTES) completed in the fall 2012• The study recommended that the City and TTC proceed with evaluating and detailing Relief Line

alignments, technology, station locations and level of service

• City and TTC will consult on the proposed Terms of Reference and Consultation Plan• Report to Council

• The Relief Line Project Assessment will define the recommended station locations, route alignment and technology

• Report to Council and TTC Board

• Council and TTC board approves the project plan and draft Environmental Project Report (EPR) • Undertake Provincial Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) to finalize EPR (6 Months)

• Detailed design and engineering, construction plans and project delivery strategy (2-3 Years)

SET THE STAGE

CONSTRUCT

OPERATIONS

• Construction (8-10 Years)

• The Relief Line opens and goes into service

Note: Design, Construct, and Operations are dependent on full project funding

We are here

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Stay Involved

Please share with your friends and

neighbours!

• Visit reliefline.ca to learn more• Join the project mailing list• Email us at reliefline@toronto.ca• Call us at 416.338.1065