February 2, 2009, 7 e-mails

T. wrote:

From the following sentence in the article, I think that the new DRL subway line might be INSTEAD of the corridor expansion:

"Metrolinx has proposed a DRL alignment in its “Big Move� document for the 25-year timeline, following Queen Street (as in the older Queen Street Subway plans from the 1950s and 1960s) instead of the railway corridor (as per the 1980s plans)."

Excellent question for Metrolinx at the meetings.

G. M. wrote:

I appreciate these comments from Ms. Farrow. It's helpful to have some insight into who and how you will best be heard so you can most effectively invest your passions and concerns for the subject. Thank you for sharing this, Eli!

E. M. wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am not able to attend this meeting but I just discussed this project with a colleague, Jane Farrow of the Centre for City Ecology. I don’t know much about urban planning/transit development, but for what it’s worth, here’s the insight/advice she offered.

• Metrolinx isn’t the bad guy. They will want to build coalitions and find a solution that works for the community. They are being pressured by private developers/funds to do things a certain way. The community will be more successful if it tries to work with Metrolinx by understanding their position and working with them rather than by confronting them
• Get the data you need if you are going to make the diesel argument. How much more diesel does that mean? What is known about the harmful effects of diesel? Media may be interested in this angle if the argument is strong/grounded
• The City Councillor may be the strongest pressure point – start working with his office and find a way to make a deputation to the city
• Adopt a positive angle: transit/trains are good! But they need to be done the right way… the argument should be about improving the plan for the benefit of the city rather than just fighting it (as it is, the plan really serves a small percentage of Torontonians – no one south of St. Clair will find it any easier to take a train from the airport to Front street)

Anyway, these were just a few points she mentioned. And you may agree or disagree with them, or already have thought about them, but I figured I would share what I learned.

Reminder from: Brockton Neighbours

Title: Metrolink Open Houses

Date: Tuesday February 3, 2009

Time: 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

Location: Lithuanian House

Street: 1573 Bloor Street West

City State Zip: Toronto On

Phone: 416.874.5923

Notes:

Please consider going and giving your input about rail lines, bike trails, rails stops, and other issues related to this line.

Full schedule with other dates and locations:

Tuesday, February 3, 11am – 8:30pm, The Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON

Wednesday, February 4, 11am – 8:30pm, MountDennis United Church, 71 Guestville Avenue,Toronto, ON,

Friday, February 6, 11am – 8:30pm, Weston Park Baptist Church, 1871 Weston Road, Toronto, ON,

Monday, February 9, 11am – 8:30pm, Direct Energy Centre - Salon 110, 100 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, February 10, 11am – 8:30pm, Malton Community Centre, 3540 Morning Star Drive, Mississauga, ON

Thursday, February 12, 11am – 8:30pm, Gordon Alcott Memorial Arena, 221 Guelph St, Georgetown, ON

More information can be found by visiting http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse/default.aspx.

You can also provide feedback at: http://www.metrolinx.com/en/contactStaff.aspx

E. P. wrote:

How about an LRT? Buried transit is really really expensive and harder to maintain than an LRT and we could use existing trackwork.

J. B. wrote:

I agree. A subway out to the airport! If it used the rail corridor, it wouldn't have to be buried - but it would be nice if it was buried through Brockton, one of the only areas where rail corridor is alongside people's houses. It would delay things quite a bit, but how great would that be for us! Since the Downtown Relief Line is getting some thought, we should ask to find out how possible it would be to combine the money for these two projects into one.

Just to let everyone know Tony Ruprecht emailed me back, saying that he was all for the Railline bike path and would fight for it. He also encouraged me to send my letter to the mayor, which I did. Still no word from Giambrone.

T. H. wrote:

A buried subway would be so awesome! no normal working people could afford the 20$ proposed ticket price of this stupid rail link- its very elitist . Plus this would solve the diesel engine problem- dare to dream....