The following are comments gathered at the November 3, 2015 Public Information Centre at
Monsignor Fraser High School. A total of 34 comments were received.
1. Do you support the proposed plan for the development of the Stouffville rail corridor and to improve transit in your
community and the GTHA?
No. The noise wall will affect daily life. Waste of money. Not enough people take the train.
No. Not necessary. Only a few people use the GO train in the day time (off peak) It wastes our tax. Too noisy for residents.
My concerns are the vibrations. We are affected by the present schedule and wonder what potential damage could be caused by the
large increase proposed. What studies from previous reports have shown the resulting property values.
Yes
No. This project will produce a lot of noise and pollution so that it will affect our living. I would suggest that you can increase GO
Transit’s times, at the same time, build the noise wall.
No. Too much rail traffic for a residential neighbourhood. Not safe at the level crossing at Marilyn.
A Townhall Meeting is essential for our community to express our concerns. We need Greg Percy, Steven Del Duca, Chin Lee, Soo
Wong, and Engineering representatives here to answer questions. The community needs to hear the answers but more importantly,
these professionals need to hear the Agincourt GO Station Community Concerns.
Yes
Yes. I am concerned about the noise with the frequent trains going through every 15 minutes. Traffic flow through the
neighbourhood worries us.
No. Not looking forward to trains running on the weekend every hour. Give residents a chat to start selling their homes before
construction. Must delay construction.
No. Increased number of “trains” (RER).
Yes. But I would like to see the project justification statements. How have you allowed for future integration (real integration) with
TTC? Where are these plans? Will local rail services operate on these tracks? How have you allowed for expansion of GO rail on
other than radial rail lines? this is where there is a huge unmet potential. Kudos to GO Transit on a terrific system, but it is time for a
major rethink and rebalancing! GO is the heart of the GTS Transportation system, but much of the potential won’t be realized unless
the right growth strategy is thought out.
Yes. BUT – depending on costs, an alternate BUS corridor can be considered.
Yes. I would like to see proper noise walls put in place. I also think proposed traffic flow will be a problem on Reidmount.
No. Although the greater good may prevail, this will adversely affect the properties backing onto the tracks: 1) volume of trains 2)
transformers 3) disruption of existing trees and greenery. I acknowledge that replacement tress will be given but they are smaller
Yes.
Yes. I can understand the concerns of those whose property is close to the track. I am dependent on TTC and travel downtown and
elsewhere on a regular basis. Something must be done to relive the gridlock.
Yes.
Yes. But with the rider that more information is needed to allow an informed opinion. This meeting was ill prepared. Sadly the result
is no trust in the process.
Yes. I’m sure it will be good for the community, but I’m very worried about increased noise, because I’m directly behind the
Agincourt Station.
Yes.
Yes.
No. Don’t have a choice. Decision has been made without our input. No prior contact. Unable to access website to vote on noise
barrier.
Yes. I strongly support the proposed plan as efficiency and having more stations can greatly reduce the time it takes to get to Union
Station. Especially with building the new campus of York University.
Yes. A wonderful idea to use existing tracks to provide transportation quickly and efficiently with minimal upset.
Yes. Concern, however, is noise and level crossing at Havendale Drive.
No. We never knew about a double tracking project until it started.
Yes. I support the idea and intent but not how you are doing it.
No.
Yes.
No. This project doesn’t care about the residents living in this area. Not just a meeting to inform the residents We need more caring
about the people who live here. We pay property tax like every other tax payer. We desire respect from the government.
(No.) Have you determined the proposed rider use? Can the Kennedy bus not service the increased ridership? Why not? Is this rider
need? Will you provide compensation for the proposed easement of my property to service the back side of a 15 stone wall?
2. How would you prefer to receive updates about GO Transit’s infrastructure projects in the area?
Mail. Town Meetings
Mail
No comment
Email
As evident at this meeting – the Agincourt Community needs to be better informed before construction signs go up. Communication
is the key. Website, Scarborough Mirror, Direct Flyers for the residents whose property backs onto tracks.
Email. Public Meetings/presentations.
Mail outs on information of work being done through the different steps of construction. We need to be better informed with
what’s happening.
Public sit-down meetings.
Periodic emails okay – but try working through Toronto Councillors, e.g. I heard of this meeting from Councillor Chin Lee who urged
to attend.
Mail
Not every resident received a flyer in their mailbox. Flyers should be sent to every household in the area.
Email
Email
(Public Meeting/Presentation) I would have appreciated a formal presentation. I waited for a representative from Metrolinx, but
someone monopolized her attention.
(Construction Notice) Posting advance notification of construction schedules/road closures is critical.
Website, Agincourt News, and direct mail to those whose properties abut the corridor.
Before things happen!
Phone or email.
Yes.
Email or personal contact (in person?)
With the rapid increase of residents growing in the area, a two rail transit is a must and necessity to the community. With a subway
extension to the York campus, this area is in need of better and more frequent transit to the new campus of York University, thus
more stations are highly desirable.
Email
Yes.
Every update by mail.
I would like to have a dedicated individual with their phone number, email and address. They should have an office in the
neighbourhood.
No comment
Already on the email list.
While I support these projects, personal updates not essential.
We need to have a safe, quiet place to live. It is very important for us to have this area and not this project can help. (?)
3. Do you have specific concerns about this project?
I am concerned about the noise level and would like to know what percentage of reduction in noise level will result from the
installation of the noise barriers.
How long is this project expected to take? When will the present system be replaced with electric power?
Noise wall first? Construction noise.
1) Traffic on the street/street parking
2) Whistles by the trains
3) Noise during construction
4) Noise barrier with concrete will prevent light. Prefer acrylic on top.
This project would really produce more problems for our living. At the same time, it would make my property lose value, and also
noise will affect my property’s lifespan.
Noise of the trains every 15 minutes and on weekends will be very disruptive to residents
When will Phase 2 (Agincourt GO Station) project begin?
All at-level road crossings must be eliminated. There are far too many car/pedestrian collisions and it takes police/investigators too
long to process them disrupting what is supposed to be rapid transit. Not to fix all switch issues etc. Too many problems
interrupt/affect services.
The crosswalk crossing over the track from Marilyn Avenue to Agincourt Drive: safety is a real concern if the walkway goes
underground. Youth, mainly teens, seem to hang out, drink and smoke up. Children cross over daily to go to school and dog walkers
too.
What affect will this have on my property value and how fast will I be able to sell in the future?
We have a fence and tree which are to be removed. We would like to save portions of this fence. In a letter from Metrolinx, the
fence will be removed and offered to us by the contractor. Does that mean the contractor will remove the fence and do the work for
us or do we have to do it?
How will Smart Track be intergrated? These GO corridors must be developed in the knowledge of future automatic systems,
advanced train control etc. How to get the best use for the local/express service? What options have already been excluded?
My preference would be NOT to have a wall constructed along the tracks.
Crosswalk should be configured with safety in mind. Children going to school cross over many times daily. Many youth use the area
for drinking and smoking up.
Removal of trees/greenery. Wall height should be 5 metres and not 4. Frequency of trains greatly increased: is there enough
ridership? Property value reduction (who will compensate?).
a) Noise protection (absorption) first before the rest of construction begins instead of at the end.
b) Acrylic at the top of the walls to let light through.
I would like to know where the potential “Finch” station will be. Thank you.
How frequently, and by whom, will construction zones be monitored to maintain safety?
Efforts needed to ensure the structural integrity of homes (some near-century old) within the area of the railway corridor.
Noise: Winter snowplowing at night is noisy with bright lights coming directly into their bedroom window. Wondering if they will
have same issues with construction activities. Also worried about the volume of trains.
Noise at night after 7 p.m.
Concerned about the noise wall at their property. The wall must have acrylic at the top to let light through for their trees.
(Encroachment issue). You are taking 18” of my property. This is not your property as your survey/surveyor says. Issue to be dealt
with prior to December 1/2015.
I strongly support building stations at 14th Avenue, Finch, Ellesmere, Lawrence as it can be highly beneficial for the communities and
significantly reduce the commute time.
Noise where the railway comes through at Marilyn and Lockie.
Infringement on homes in the area plus noise and safety due to level crossings.
a) Regarding tree removals: I cannot accept the idea of replacing each one of my old trees with three baby trees.
b) We still have not received an official plan for the entire project.
a) I totally disagree with your land survey.
b) How it will affect our welfare and health due to overnight construction as well as weekends.
c) Being able to use my backyard in the summer with all the noise, dust, and construction.
d) How it will affect my property value.
Please let me know how effective the noise wall will be. Thank you.
Noise every day in our daily life. Dust from construction is all around my house. The walls and the windows shook when construction
started today at my backyard at the old Scarborough Inn. I worry for the safety of my house. I have my whole family living in the
house.
Why do you not have a town hall meeting?? I will continue to circulate the attached flyer and make my concerns heard with Soo
Wong MPP.
4. Do you have any other comments, questions, or suggestions?
See other side. What percentage noise reduction will result from installation of noise barriers.
If vibrations causes a problem for any homeowners, is there a reserve fund put in place for repairs or compensation?
The meeting is chaotic and not much discussion
If you have to build the railway, the first thing you should build is the noise wall, give us financial compensation, and a clear
construction schedule.
Safety of students and pedestrians with increased trains and therefore increased traffic. For example Marilyn –Lockie pathway,
Havendale track crossing, Huntingwook track crossing. Speeding cars on Havendale Avenue and Agincourt Drive as communters
avoid left hand turns at Kennedy and GO station parking lot and race south on Agincourt Drive toward the GO station parking
expecially between 8:15 – 8:40 a.m.
Parking may become an issue. More parking is required. We do not want cars parking in front of our homes.
When will the work at Tamora Court begin? Also, please confirm that all the work will be done from the track side only. Will the
contractor contact us before their work at our backyard begins?
Would like a discussion with GO Transit’s strategic planner(s) about the evolution of the GO bus/rail as the backbone of the whole
GTHA transportation system.
No comment
Parking concerns – where will the vehicles park. Hopefully not on Reidmount.
Meeting should be in an organized fashion with a designated “leader” who can inform and answer questions. Was very difficult to
find available staff to answer questions. When I did find someone, he spoke of the “the greater” – people want more trains, electric
trains but those people will not be adversely affected. The “greater good” argument only carried so much weight when your
property, your largest investment, is affected.
Work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We work all day and have kids. Will you be responsible if anything happens to us? Please reply.
Train whistles at Havendale.
This November 3rd meeting was not organized. A joke to try and find a representative of Metrolinx who can answer questions. One
person from Metrolinx could not answer our questions.
Would like to see a park at the end of Agincourt Dr. at Sheepard Ave.
The level crossing may not be safe if the frequency of trains increased.
a) Please give us notice of the date you will start working on my backyard.
b) Send out official document of the whole project so that we can have an overall picture of this project. That way we can know
what si happening and what is going to happen.
Your “show and tell, one on one” did not answer our questions. This was not a meeting which we assumed was happening so we
could hear other questions and all hear your answers.
My family live at 57 Linwood Ave and our house is too close to the GO train track. Everyday GO trains run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
causing a lot of noise and vibration. There is damage to the walls in my house from the trains. My bedroom faces the tracks. Please
help solve this.
We need a good resolution to help residents live in the area. The people in charge of the project should sit down and talk to the
residents and provide compensation to people who live in this area.