DAVENPORT COMMUNITY RAIL
OVERPASS
Environmental Assessment
Public Meeting #1
May 12, 2015
Elise Croll
Topics to Cover
• Background
• Project Description
• Environmental Assessment Process
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• Created in 2006 by the Province of Ontario
• First Regional Transportation Agency for GTHA
• We plan, build and operate long-term sustainable
transportation
Planning
& Policy
Plan
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Capital
Projects
Deliver
Operate
Regional Express Rail
• Regional Express Rail (RER) is part of a Provincial Budget
commitment to invest $31.5 billion in infrastructure across Ontario
over 10 years, with $16 billion dedicated to transit in the GTHA
• RER builds on approved projects such as the Eglinton Crosstown
LRT and GO’s expansion towards two-way, all-day rail service
• On April 17, 2015, the Province announced specifics regarding
planned service by corridor, allowing better scoping of infrastructure
needs
• An electrified service on corridors Metrolinx owns with 15-minute
frequencies in core areas
• Service in both directions, throughout weekdays, in evenings
and on weekends
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GO Transit in Toronto
• 19 stations in Toronto – and more to come
• established transit network – can still improve
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Expanding GO Service Requires Work
Across the Region
 New track and signal
enhancements
 Bridge expansions, grade
separations, and pedestrian
crossings
 Station platform, tunnel and
parking expansions
 Electrification infrastructure,
including supplying and
distributing power to the corridors
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What is the Davenport Diamond?
• An at grade rail-to-rail crossing
• Similar to a 4-way intersection
with traffic signals for trains
• Rail intersection creates a
“diamond” shape
• Reliability of both freight and
commuter trains is already
impacted
• Will be further constrained in
future with service expansion
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Map of the Davenport Diamond
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Study Area
Davenport Rd. looking west
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Davenport Rd. looking east
Dupont St. looking west
Dupont St. looking east
Condo tower near Dupont St.
Davenport Diamond
Options to Remove the Diamond
• Metrolinx completed a feasibility study that reviewed several options
for removing the Davenport Diamond
• GO over/under the CP Rail tracks
• CP over/under the GO tracks
• Do nothing
• Review used the following criteria:
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Construction feasibility
Operational impacts (e.g. GO service impacts)
Duration of construction
Community Impact (e.g. dust, noise, etc.)
Community benefits
Cost of Construction
The Recommended Option
Davenport Community Rail Overpass with Elevated Tracks
Remove the intersection of rail lines by elevating the GO tracks above
the CP Rail corridor and city streets, increasing community safety and
creating new opportunities for community spaces.
Impacts from the Over and Under Options
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Aerial View
Earlscourt
Park
The Recommended Option
Davenport Village
Park
Retaining Wall
Campbell Ave
Park
Piers and columns
Erwin Krickhahn
Park
Retaining Wall
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Corridor and Structure Dimensions
Wallace Avenue, looking south
Width of Rail Corridor
14-22 m (wide as 4-6 lane road)
Width of Overpass Deck
10 m (50-75% of corridor width)
Height of Overpass
Up to 8.5 m (3 storey house)
Wallace Avenue, looking east
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Spacing of support columns
26 m (distance between bases on
baseball diamond)
Overpass Benefits
• Potential improvements to community connectivity and public
spaces
– Reconnecting streets such as Paton Road
– Opens up community access to Erwin Krichkhahn Park and
Campbell Avenue Park
• Improves the visual aesthetics of the rail corridor
– Appearance/design of the overpass structure
– Newly accessible space that is functional, safe and beautiful
– Options explored through community consultation
• Removes level crossing at Wallace Ave.
– Grade separation enhances safety while maintaining community
connectivity
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Environmental Assessment Process
What is an Environmental Assessment?
A first step in project planning: determining the need for an
Environmental Assessment (EA)
The EA examines potential environmental impacts from a project,
determines how to address or mitigate
In the context of EA, the definition of “environment” is broad:
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Air, land, water
Plant, animal, human life
Social, economic, cultural conditions
Building, structure, machine, other device
Sound, vibration, or other emission from activities
Environmental Assessment Process (cont’d)
What is the Process to Complete an EA?
• Metrolinx uses the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)
• A streamlined EA process to expedite the development of transit
projects.
• This faster process was deemed necessary to meet the increasingly
urgent need for new public transit to address Ontario’s growing
population.
• The TPAP requires that we consult on the Preferred Option for
undertaking transit projects.
• Checks and balances provided by other levels of government signoff (Minister of Environment and Climate Change)
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Transit Project Assessment Process
WE ARE HERE
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Draft
EPR
Final
EPR
Where are we?
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Typical Environmental Assessment Studies
Typical EA studies look at impacts on:
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Traffic
Land-use and socio-economics
Air quality
Noise and vibration
Built heritage
Archaeology
Natural environment
Project and Corridor Phasing
Phase
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Best Thinking on Timing
Davenport Diamond EA
In progress: Complete early 2016
System Wide Electrification EA, Barrie
Corridor EA
Planned: Will take 12-24 months to complete
Full Design of the Structure
Planned: Will take 12-18 months to complete
Construction Tendering for the Davenport
Diamond
Tendering will take place once design is
complete: Will take 6 months +
Construction
Anticipated Start 2017: Will take approximately
24 months to complete
Hourly Increased Service
Anticipated for 2017
Electrified Service
15 minute two-way service will likely be linked
to electrification, committed to 10-year timeline
or 2024
Electrification Plan
We’re committed to electrifying the Barrie line. Electrification of the
system requires:
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Electrical power supply
Distribution along the corridor
Electrified maintenance facilities
Transition of vehicle fleet
A system-wide EA is required for approval
Studies will consider the transition to
electrification and service increases over
the next 10 years.
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Next Steps: Implementing What We Learn
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Complete studies required for EA - air quality, noise, vibration etc. (ongoing)
Engaging with community to get feedback – e.g. public meetings (ongoing)
Receive recommendations from the Residents’ Reference Panel (June)
Issue formal Notice of Commencement of EA (September)
EA Approval and continued Design (Early 2016)
Continue Consultation with Partners (Ongoing – post-EA)
• Work with the community and other partners to develop an
implementation plan
• Work with partners (e.g. City of Toronto) to make decisions on the
implementation
• Establish a Stewardship Plan to Sustain the Implementation
• Create the framework and terms of reference outlining responsibilities
and obligations
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Be Part of the Conversation
Public meetings and Briefings
− Davenport Resident’s
Reference Panel
− Learn about next steps and to
work with residents to find fair
solutions to concerns and
issues as they arise.
Online:
− @Metrolinx #RERDavenport
− metrolinx.com/RERDavenport
− [email protected]
− metrolinx.com/DavenportPanel
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Sign Up for More information
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THANK-YOU