This is my interpretation of the Waterfront LRT from Long Branch Station to Union Station. It will also use the existing streetcar tracks from Humber Loop to Colborne Lodge where it will turn onto the Lake Shore and go past Ontario Place then on Fort York/Bremner into Union Station. I used the 512 St. Clair LRT stop spacing for the 508 Lake Shore LRT line also. I could make a map with longer spacing too.
First of all, there are approved EA's for this 508 starting with 1993 along the Lake Shore for the CNE as well Lake Shore from Dufferin St to Colborne Lodge about 2012(?).
I agree with reducing stops in Long Branch like other lines, but strong opposition to do it. I also agree there is no need for an ROW on that section other than a few short areas like Park Lawn to Humber River.
The Fort York option is off the table due to what taking place there today as well Fort York itself. Bremmer has never made any sense that even CityPlace developers never saw it nor support it. TTC see the Bathurst 519 using Bremmer section and if one check the buses using that area, ridership is non existing. Even though there is a tunnel under the ACC, where to put the portal is a major issue and not welcome on the east side of York.
If one check ridership for the current 501 & 508, very few are going to the downtown area of Toronto and being more local. Ask TTC about those numbers.
I was out voted for keeping the Lake Shore Line 100% on the new Lake shore and going over the Humber River than Colborne Lodge route during the EA process. TTC wanted the Colborne route as it allow cars to get to/from the yard as well using the existing Queensway tracks. Going over the Humber becomes a faster and shorter route even though the bridge will have to be rebuilt, but it opens up the public domain land a lot better. You have new development taking place there as well these days.
Until the government decides what it wants to do with Ontario Place, having a line along the Lake Shore is up in the air. CNE does have issues with that routing as it will interfere with the Indy. That is why TTC is now building the extension from the current CNE loop to Dufferin St. It also allow TTC to run different service either from Dufferin Loop, Sunnyside Loop as well Dundas West Station or what every. It needs to be place in the 2018 official transit master plan.
All these ideas have been around for years as well decades and part of the review process.