Public Open House - Finch West LRT

FINCH WEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT):

Public Open House

St. Wilfrid Catholic School 1685 Finch Avenue West June 24, 2015

Metrolinx was created in 2006 by the Province of Ontario as the first Regional Transportation Agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

We plan, build and operate long-term sustainable transportation focussed on delivering faster, more frequent and more convenient transit across the region.

A Region Under PressureToronto and its surrounding communities “suffer from traffic congestion problems, poorly integrated transit services and relatively underdeveloped transport infrastructure.” OECD Territorial Review, 2010

• Average commute time per person, per day is 82 minutes.

• Projected to increase to 109 minutes in the next 25 years.

• Costs $6 billion in travel costs and lost productivity every year.

• By 2031, this number could increase to $15 billion.

• Over 500,000 tonnes of annual GHG emissions is due to traffic congestion.

The Solution: Build a World-Class

Regional Network

Our Regional Transportation Plan

goal is to build over 1,200

km of rapid transit so that over

80 per cent of

residents in the region will

live within two km of

rapid transit

Toronto Transit Projects

Finch West LRT: Background

• Finch West LRT: Represents $1B (2010$) of the $8.4B (2010$) investment by the Government of Ontario to expand and improve transit in Toronto.

• 2010: City of Toronto completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the replacement of bus service on Finch Avenue from Finch Station at Yonge Street on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway line to Highway 27.

• 2012: Metrolinx, the City of Toronto and the TTC signed a Master Agreement that includes the Finch West LRT project.

• 2015: Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca announced that Finch West LRT (from Keele Station to Highway 27) is moving forward.

• Metrolinx is responsible for the project delivery, and TTC (under contract with Metrolinx) will operate the service.

RFQ IssuedRFQ Closed

RFP IssuedRFP Closed

Financial Close

Early Works

Design andConstruction

Timeline

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Finch Avenue: Current Situation

• The 36 Finch West is top 3 busiest bus routes in Toronto with about 46,000 passengers per weekday.

• Frequent bus service operating in mixed traffic and so close together result in “bunching.”

• Forecasted demands (to 2031) would require 30 buses per hour (one 18m long “articulated” bus every 2 minutes).

Proposed Alignment

• 11 kilometres of light rail transit in a neighbourhood that needs it the most: along Finch Avenue from Finch West subway station (at Keele Street) to Humber College.

• Provides rapid transit to 46,000 passengers per weekday.

• 18 at-grade stops and 1 underground station along the alignment.

• Provides rapid transit connection at Finch West Station (of the new Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension).

Project Details

• LRT service supports existing and future ridership demands.

• The projected ridership for the Finch corridor is 2,250 passengers per hour in the peak direction by 2031; the capacity of the Finch LRT is up to 6,300 passengers per hour per direction.

Why LRT?

Ridership

Buses Light Rail Transit

0 2,000 4,000 6,000

Finch Ridership: 2,250

• Priority signaling at intersections will make the service more reliable.

• LRT cars can be added or removed easily, thus providing flexibility to accommodate ridership demands.

• The LRT will provide a service that is faster than buses in mixed traffic today.

• Designated bicycle lanes, which currently do not exist along Finch, will be provided along the entire length of the LRT corridor.

• The 36m right-of-way along the majority of Finch Avenue will be able to accommodate the addition of the LRT trackway.

Why LRT?

High Capacity

Each LRV car carries 157 riders per trip. Finch West LRT service will launch up to two cars, at 314 riders per trip, compared to 48 riders per bus trip today.

157

48

Reliable. Convenient. Comfortable.

• Dedicated transit line for reliable service.

• Predictable travel times.

• Traffic signal coordination.

• Automated fare vending machines.

• Next vehicle arrival screens.

Proven Technology

LRTs are used around the world, including cities with variable temperatures such as Edmonton, Calgary and Minneapolis, and international cities such as Paris and Stockholm.

Accessible. Multiple Doors. PRESTO.

• Multiple entrances and low floors to ensure fast and accessible boarding.

• The system will use PRESTO proof-of-payment system.

Made-in-Ontario Technology

• 4 doors per car (2 single, 2 double).

• Up to 2 cars per consist.

• High-tech, air conditioned vehicles made in Thunder Bay.

• LRT service will be operated by TTC and fully integrated into the existing Toronto transit system.

Elements addressed with the Emery Village BIA and Fuel Trucks Association

• Intersection configuration for trucks and traffic operations.

• CP bridge lane restriction.

• Highway 400 ramp reconfiguration.

• Bicycle path along corridor.

• Proposed corridor plan.

Typical Surface Alignment

• The LRT will run on dedicated lanes in the middle of the roadway.

• Finch Avenue will be widened to maintain existing lanes of traffic.

• See bike lane buffer on following board.

Typical Surface Alignment

A 0.65m bike lane buffer to be introduced (being discussed with the City).

Typical Alignment: Intersection

See cycle track on following board.

Typical Alignment: Intersection

A cycle track at sidewalk level to be introduced (being discussed with the City).

Util

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2023-04-15

Recommended Multi-Use Path

U-turns / Left turn on green arrow only

LRT in Dedicated guideway

3.3 m lane widths

LRT platforms at crosswalks

Intersection Configuration

Typical Left Turn Arrangement

• Mid-block exits guided to traffic signals for left turns.

Consideration of Potential Impacts

• Metrolinx will build on the approved Environmental Assessment for the Finch West LRT.

• In the design process, Metrolinx will address potential impacts to the local community.

• Key element that is being addressed:• Streetscape along Finch Avenue.

• Solution is separate multi-use path (one only).

• Preserves 3 lanes + LRT between Weston Road and Arrow Road.

• Capital cost premium over environmental project report (EPR) is approximately $3 million (plus properties, utilities, etc.).

CP Structure Lane Recommendation

Project Status

• The Finch West LRT represents a $1B (2010$) investment in expanded and improved transit in the City of Toronto. • The project is fully funded and approved.• EA completed in 2010.

• Construction: 2017 – 2021.

• In-service: End of 2021.

Contact Us

www.metrolinx.com/finchwest

[email protected]