WEST TORONTO RAILPATH EXTENSION - PHASE 2 PLANNING AND DESIGN STUDY

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE NO. 2 WELCOME TO

Date: Monday, June 23, 2014 Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm Location: Parkdale Community Recreation Centre, 75 Lansdowne Avenue

INTRODUCTION

Determine the preferred alignment of the Railpath extension following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

Identify lands required for extending the Railpath further south for long term solution

Identify urban design features integral with the overall design of the Railpath extension e.g. landscaping, public art, signage and lighting

Identify opportunities for access points linking the Railpath to communities along the rail corridor

Develop design options for new pedestrian and bicycle bridges that may be required, and determine feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the different options

In June 2012, the City of Toronto adopted the multi-year Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan and new trail connection priorities, which included undertaking of an environmental assessment study to extend the existing West Toronto Railpath to the Stanley Park area, connecting with the planned Fort York pedestrian and cycle bridge. The vision is for a sustainable transportation link to downtown and other bikeways. The scope of the Railpath study includes the following:

MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) PROCESS

This Study is being carried out as a Schedule ‘C’ EA as outlined in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (2000, as amended 2007, 2011).

An environmental assessment is a Study required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to assess the potential positive or negative effects of an individual project on the environment. Social, cultural and economic aspects are also considered. Key components of an EA include: Consultation with government agencies

and the public Consideration and evaluation of

alternatives Management of potential environmental

effects

PURPOSE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE NO. 2

Present the study process and background information

Provide an update on progress since Public Information Centre No. 1

Present preferred alignment including long term and interim route options

Gather and review public input on the different options

"SINCE WE LAST MET!"

Public Information Centre No. 1 – June 26, 2013 93 people signed in to learn more about the Study with lots of feedback received Strong desire for a continuous Railpath and future connections Overwhelming support for project and for it to be constructed soon Summer 2013 Project Team further developed the route options and design alternatives Ongoing Stakeholder Consultation Design Review Panel (DRP) – September 18, 2013 Get more land and engage proactively with all stakeholders, including Metrolinx Investigate possibility of integrating noise wall into the Railpath vision Portions of the Railpath near road must be better than existing facilities Develop a high quality public realm that weaves deeply into the surrounding community Winter 2013 through Spring 2014 City staff, local Councillors and Metrolinx Agreement to collaborate for a wider Railpath on/adjacent to the rail corridor New wider Railpath corridor identified through a combination of rail corridor and privately owned lands Metrolinx developed their future expansion plans creating some opportunities and new challenges for the Railpath Large range of Stakeholder consultations with trail and cycling advocates, private landowners and local Councillors

List of Community Groups Friends of West Toronto Railpath

Cycle Toronto & Wards 13, 14, 18 & 19 Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT)

West Queen West BIA Parkdale Residents Association

Parkdale Village BIA PanAm Path

Liberty Village BIA Railpath Run Committee Toronto Bicycle Network

Bike Pirates Walk Toronto

STUDY AREA

SITE CONDITIONS

Note: Numbered keys on this map indicate the approximate viewpoint on the adjacent slideshow

ROUTE OPPORTUNITIES

PRELIMINARY PREFERRED ROUTE

NEXT STEPS FOR THE STUDY

The Project Team will review all comments and feedback following Public Information Centre No. 2

Based on input, re-evaluate preferred route and identify technically preferred solution

Examine in greater detail the design concepts including trail design, on-road design and bridge design alternatives

Document the Study in a Project File Report and make available for the required 30-day public review period

Completion dated expected August 2014