Eglinton West LRT: Development of Conceptual Grade Separations
SmartTrack is planned to link together major employment areas including Downtown Toronto and the Mississauga Airport Corporate Centre. Much of the SmartTrack concept builds on investments currently being made by the Province in the GO Regional Express Rail network. Six new stations are being planned on this network, to more fully integrate the existing rail network with the existing TTC network, to ensure that Torontonians have access to the GO/RER system.
A new transportation link is being planned between the GO/RER network, the Mississauga Airport Corporate Centre, and Pearson Airport. This light rail link would extend the Eglinton Crosstown (currently under construction), and is based on “Phase 2” of the Crosstown, first approved in 2010. This previously approved project is being reviewed and optimized as part of SmartTrack to ensure that it best meets the needs of both the city and the local community.
Eglinton Crosstown LRT original EA envisioned a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line to run from Pearson Airport in the west to Kennedy Station. The first phase of this project, currently under construction, runs from Mt. Dennis to Kennedy Station – with the second phase of the project going west from Mt. Dennis to the Airport.
For the western section, the EA focused on the impacts of the LRT if built completely at-grade, in the centre of the right-of-way. An initial business case determined that grade separations should be explored at 3 key locations to determine the potential benefits for the traffic network and potential impacts on neighbouring properties. These locations include:
- Eglinton Flats (Jane and Scarlett)
- Kipling Avenue
- Martin Grove Road
In addition, Toronto City Council directed staff to consider two additional intersections for potential grade separations:
- Islington Avenue
- Royal York Avenue
In total six different potential grade separations were reviewed.
The many pros and cons of potential grade separation options were considered according to a rigorous evaluation framework. The evaluation was divided into three stages: 1) Feasibility; 2) Benefits and Costs; and 3) Strategic Values. The following documents and reports are part of the three stage review completed as part of this work.
Final recommendations on inclusion of grade separations in the project concept are pending public input during Public Consultation in November 2017.
Stage 1 – Feasibility Report
This report provides an overview of the long list of options to implement grade separations along the western portion of Eglinton Avenue. The high-level study and evaluation of potential grade separation concepts is intended to inform decision-making around the location and configuration of grade separations to ensure that options carried forward for more detailed evaluation deliver the greatest level of cost-benefit from a traffic perspective while responding to the needs of the local community and wider city.
For each intersection, the report provides a high-level overview of the best grade separation, including potential impact on existing and planned neighbouring properties, relationship to floodplains, pedestrian/cyclist/bus transfer access, traffic impacts, high-level cost estimates and a summary of the pros and cons in relationship to the other options. The appendix of this report includes description of the options which were not carried forward including a reasoning behind the decision.
Stage 1 – Grade Separation Visualizations
3D renderings of each potential grade separation were completed to enable costing of the additional infrastructure requirements and provide visual context for the strategic analysis of understanding of potential community impacts. These renderings are provided in multiple views and are shown in contrast to the EA Approved at-grade LRT.
Stage 2 (DRAFT) – Benefits Case Analysis Report
The second stage of evaluation includes an assessment of each option against the EA Base Case. It focuses on the theme of affordability and includes a cost/benefit analysis. Information on the development of costs and benefits is included in the linked results document. The final report will include final recommendations based on this analysis.
Stage 3 – Preliminary Strategic Evaluation Detailed Chart
A preliminary strategic evaluation has been initiated that includes evaluation using evaluation criteria based on Toronto's Rapid Transit Evaluation Framework (RTEF), with consideration of Metrolinx’s Business Case Analysis, to help illustrate the benefits that are not easily monetized. Each grade separation was evaluated in isolation of the others according to the list of strategic values. These include an assessment of impacts on the surrounding community, natural environment, construction impacts and an articulation of implications for the public realm. The process also includes a public engagement and assessment of public feedback. The criteria are grouped according to the themes identified in the City of Toronto’s Rapid Transit Evaluation Framework: Serving People; Strengthening Places; and Supporting Prosperity. The attached materials include the high-level preliminary results table, the preliminary detailed evaluation chart, as well as the RTEF Criteria and guiding questions.