Archive - September 16, 2021
On September 16, 2021, Metrolinx hosted a presentation and live Q&A for the North segment, with a focus on Thorncliffe Park, with over 200 people in attendance. During the virtual open house, we presented design options for the public walls and landscaping surrounding the maintenance and storage facility as well as for the public areas below the elevated guideway, and we announced two community working groups to discuss key design priorities for these spaces. Contact us if you are interested in being involved. We also launched an online survey as one step in a long term engagement process, which will remain open until October 16, 2021. After the presentation, we answered top-voted questions submitted by registrants, as well as live questions from participants using a call-in option. Participants asked a variety of questions related to project plans, construction, and community impacts as well as community amenities. We’ll be adding information addressing more questions from the event on this page soon.
For those who weren’t able to join us, you’ll find the video recording below. We’re looking forward to holding many more meetings in the future.
Call-In With Your Question
As we continue to evolve the virtual engagement format, we are adding a call-in option for tonight’s event. To ask your question by voice, join the Zoom meeting here. We aim to keep each question and subsequent answer to 3 minutes allowing for as many call-in questions as possible.
NOTE: please ensure you have the latest version of Zoom installed.
Agenda
6:30PM: Meeting Begins/Opening Remark
6:35PM: Presentation: Ontario Line Project Update for the North Segment
7:00PM : Questions and Answers (pre-submitted questions)
7:30PM: Questions and Answers (call-in questions via Zoom)
7:55PM: Wrap up and Closing Remarks
Presentation Materials
Meet the Speakers

Richard Tucker
Ontario Line Project Director

Malcolm MacKay
Ontario Line Project Sponsor

Natasha Jailal
Senior Manager, Property Team

John Potter
Manager, Design Standards
Format & Accessibility
Questions will be answered based on popularity (total votes). We aim to answer all questions.
Please review and note that conduct inconsistent with our policies will result in removal.
To enable closed captioning, toggle captions “on” in the YouTube video player settings.
Comments
What buildings are being torn down for the Cosburn station?
AnonymousI live on Cosburn and would really like to know what buildings are being torn down for the Cosburn station. Also can you start notifying the actual RESIDENTS of Pape Village in the apartments of these meetings? It's insulting you do not.
Erosion and earth movement as a result of tree removal
AnonymousHi,
What steps are you planning to take to reduce the effects of the removal of trees in the area to soil erosion and soil movement?
Paul
Community Groups
AnonymousCan you comment on why you have disengaged with community groups. It makes it seems like Metrolinx is up to something nefarious
Rolling Stock announcement?
AnonymousNot sure if this is available anywhere else but when will we find out which trains will be chosen for the rolling stock? Maybe the same as the Metropolis trains used on the REM?
How much of the construction between Pape and Cosburn will be…
AnonymousHow much of the construction between Pape and Cosburn will be above ground? Will Pape be closed? What are your plans to reduce the impact on local residents and businesses?
What will happen to houses along the proposed route?
AnonymousWill above grade and tunnelled areas both require expropriation / demolition along the just parts or the entire route?
Crosstown und Ontario Line transfer
AnonymousHow come is so complicated? Why no put one line and other line both underground? Who make so stupid design? Spend money, do not cut corner.
Street air vents
AnonymousWhere will the street air vents be located (the tunnel air that is displaced by the train cars) and will any of them require expropriation of property?
When construction will start?
AnonymousThe Ontario line is an other important project to extend underground transportation of the city and recuperate, up space for enjoyment of residents, I would like to know when the construction would start
Expropriations at Minton/Hopedale
AnonymousIn the past, you said you'd cap home expropriation at 4 homes. We heard that you're hinting that the final number could be higher than four. Why can't you commit?
Pape
AnonymousWill Pape station's bus terminal be open during construction? Will the bus loop close when the Ontario Line opens?
Property Flag
AnonymousYou mentioned in your last virtual meeting that you would look into your ruling that you intend to put a flag or lien on property that you may require to expropriate for various reasons.
It was your intention to keep this threat over homeowner's heads "Until the project concludes"
Do you have any advanced information regarding the anticipated location of these expropriation sites?
bridge
AnonymousWhy can't the existing Millwood Bridge be used, rather than constructing an addition one? That poses much greater impact on the environment. If it can't, why wasn't the recent revitalization / construction on the bridge done with this development in mind?
Natasha just said the mosque is being relocated to 20 Overlea?
AnonymousLooking at google maps, 20 Overleas is actually the address of the mosque itself - so what does she mean?
Bike lanes and streetscaping
AnonymousWill there be bike lanes and enhanced streetscaping brought to Overlea and Don Mills as part of the elevated guideway?
Bridge between Pape and Overlea
AnonymousWith the Bridge needed to be constructed between Overlea to Pape, how long will it take to build and will it need closures on the DVP?
Double track crossovers + storage tracks
Anonymousbesides Exhibition and Science Centre stations, what other stations will have double track crossovers and storage tracks
vibration and noise
AnonymousYou have stated you do not feel vibration or noise will be an issue for the community. When construction is ongoing as well as completed and vibration and noise become an issue will you compensate all homeowners or will we be forced to launch multi million dollar lawsuits
Thorncliffe Park
AnonymousI think it's best that Thorncliffe Park station has a center island platform while Flemingdon Park and Science Centre stations has side platforms
Automatic Signalling
AnonymousTo build on my previous comment on train gauge, to ensure further cross-compatibility between the subway lines and the Ontario Line, the signalling system must be the same. Please use the same signalling system so down the road, you don't need multiple different crews across the TTC subway lines and the OL needing to learn different technologies and using different tools. We have already learned our lesson on that with the SRT.
Done deal?
AnonymousThis is going to happen even if all folks in Thorncliffe park stand on their heads right?
Decided by folks and shoved up our.....
Maintenance Yard
AnonymousOntario line is passing by elevated past the Costco. Why not locate part of the maintenance yard to the north of the CN tracks and connect with an elevated track. Prime developable land within walking distance of Thorncliffe station is currently being used to store trains.
Cosburn Station and Pape Village
AnonymousWhy have you not widely informed the community that you will be tearing down a large multi-block portion of Pape Village for Cosburn Station? Why has there been no notice in the mail of these meetings for area residents?
Signage
AnonymousThe signage brought forward for the Eglinton Crosstown is quite different from what the TTC has come up with. The TTC's signage is far superior and easier to read. Please consider contracting out signage to the TTC signage department as it is very important to have a unified transit brand for Toronto who is doing just fine with the TTC's signage which is far superior that anything anyone at metrolinx has come up with. Oh, and I don't want to see the letter "T" visible on any of the stations. Toronto already has a symbol that means transit, and that is the iconic TTC logo. Leave well enough alone! The money has been spent and a good system has been found.
the 'Platform Screen Doors' question
AnonymousTo enhance safety for riders who are blind or have low vision, I think it's best that all the stations that have center island platforms should have platform screen doors
This is decades overdue; why stop at Eglinton?
Furry RiderWhy not give real relief to Line 1 and build the Ontario Line to at least Sheppard?
Why are you dismissing PACCT's main requests?
AnonymousIn particular the need for sound and vibration control. Things like covering the bridge and adding sound barriers.
PACCT Action Plan
AnonymousWhy are you dismissing our neighborhood's main requests (covered bridge, sound barrier) that were provided as part of the PACCT Action Plan?
Open Space
AnonymousToronto has an unpresented amount of development, but no increase of open space. Should not the valley be preserved for the current residents in an protected asset to the existing urban environment.
Extension to Don Mills
Anonymousif the line does get extended north to Don Mills station on line 4, how many stations will it add ?
Why is the Science Centre Station located where it is?
Furry RiderWhy is the Science Centre Station located diagonally opposite and two levels above to the Eglinton Crosstown stop (as far as possible from the Science Centre as you could possibly make it)?
Park or Green Space
AnonymousWill you commit to a park or another public space in the area of the Minton portal once construction is complete? Can you clearly commit to us that this area will not be developed into more housing, condos, etc?
Can you make Science Center station underground???
AnonymousCan you make Science Center station underground???
The interchange between OL and Line 5 is best served UNDERGROUND just like Yonge & Bloor or Yonge & Sheppard. Why must the platforms be in the air? Why can't they be dug underneath Line 5 and use cut n cover construction along Don Mills on the land owned by Ontario for the OSC on the west side? It can be done.
Timing of info sessions
AnonymousGiven that these info sessions have all been scheduled on major religious holidays, will the next one be held on Christmas Day?
Thorncliffe Community voice not heard
Anonymoushow many of your location scouts were from the community actually? how many in your surveys were actually from the community actually? not even the ward councillor was given an opportunity!
Flemingdon Park
AnonymousI think that Flemingdon Park station's design should be like TTC McCowan station
Stations in the Distillery District
AnonymousPlease consider adding a station at Cherry Street as that area is densifying quite rapidly and in an area that dense, it only makes sense to add an additional station in such a developing area. The cherry station should be named Distillery as it is IN the distillery district and the station on the former parliament site should be named Front Street or The Esplanade. It has no business being named distillery. That name would be confusing for tourists trying to find the Distillery district.
Confirm the exact underground tunnel pathway
AnonymousCan you confirm the exact underground tunnel path that will be constructed between the new station at Pape and the next one south at Gerrard? Many neighbours want to know if the trains will run directly or close to directly under their homes. Thank you.
Science Centre Station
AnonymousWhy must this transfer between lines be so complicated unlike Bloor-Yonge, Eglinton-Yonge, or Sheppard-Yonge? All of those stations have lines crossing each other perpendicularly in a stacked platform format meaning one line is directly above the other with only one short escalator or elevator ride to transfer between lines. Why can't this be done at Eglinton & Don Mills? The entire heavy rail network was designed on the premise of easy transfers between lines and this station layout defeats decades of efficient design. If this is truly supposed to divert traffic from getting to Line 1 at Yonge, the transfer to the Ontario Line needs to be simple and effective.
Michael Garron Hospital
AnonymousCan you work with the TTC to create a new community bus route between Cosburn Station and Coxwell Station to serve Michael Garron Hospital?
How high above the DVP will the bridge be built
Anonymoushow high will the proposed Ontario line bridge be above the DVP?
bike lanes
AnonymousWhere's the bike lanes on the bridges to tpark & flemo?
What will the Thorncliffe and surrounding communities get for
Anonymousall this disruption? Jane-Finch got a Community Centre from Spadina extension. Everyone knows Jimmy Simpson will be improved. Can Thorncliffe Park get a public access Community Centre?
Elevators
AnonymousWhat kind of elevators will you use for the Ontario line?
The ones used on the Toronto subway or the ones used on the Eglinton Crosstown?
Integrated Fares is important to Toronto.
AnonymousSince you're spending money for building the Ontario line, it's important that you should also focus on integrated fares,
& this video link will tell you why: https://youtu.be/h5IK5lLUniE
Escalators
AnonymousWhat kind of ESCALATORS will you use for the Ontario line?
The ones used on the Toronto subway or the ones used on the Eglinton Crosstown?
Bedrock Depth at Minton Pl
AnonymousIn conversations with the drilling rig crews that came to check the Minton Pl area, they indicated that in the area where the Minton Pl portal is being built, the bedrock is almost 180 ft below the surface level.
Can you comment on what that means in terms of the design, construction, and overall safety of the portal and the bridge, including how much time will be required to pile drive supports?
Why are you not engaging with the Community Groups?
AnonymousPACCT, the organization body representing our neighbourhood has told us that Metrolinks did not give them any notice for this meeting. How are we to learn about these types of initiatives if you actively work to alienate the community groups?
Thorncliffe Park is very unhappy with the plans.
AnonymousGiven that no one in Thorncliffe Park is happy with the approach being imposed, what will the ONTARIO Government do to correct this, before it’s too late, and the lasting damage is done?
Using Subway Gauge
AnonymousThe Toronto Subway uses a specific rail gauge for their Line 1, 2, and 4.
Why has Metrolinx planned to use a DIFFERENT GUAGE for the Ontario Line?
There are 3 interchange stations with a possible 4th at Don Mills, where the Ontario Line could connect to the pre-existing subway infrastructure.
Not only would it benefit passenger service, but maintenance and organization of all the trains!
Why is this still been done on the sly?
AnonymousMinimum or very disingenuous community engagement with Thorncliffe Park folks. Last townhall was a "monologue" and for tonight not enough notice or publicity was given. This is just a rolling over of thorncliffe folk who racial, minorities and considered expendable. Probably decisions taken by who don't live here!
At the Thorncliffe Pk Dr stop, Ontario Line, which side of Overl
AnonymousWill the stop be
on the west side of Overlea ?
what is the update , if any, on the pape/cosburn station,
Anonymouswhere is planned location ? any work started, when ?
SaveTPARK conducted a survey on Metrolinx Bus Tour
Anonymous100% of respondents agreed that Metrolinx takes advantages of minority communities.
Station names and their surrounding areas
AnonymousAs flowery as the names of some stations might sound, they don't aid much in navigation. Flemingdon Park should be named Gateway as that is the street it is serving with a lot of residential density. Those streets are more or less majour in that area and aids in navigation. Transit is supposed to be a means of getting around, not a tourist vehicle. Moss Park is not the best description of the area and should be called Sherbourne South or Jarvis. Once again, those outside the area should have an easy time at locating the stations. Few outside of the area are aware of that name.
What would you do to improve streetscape on Pape Ave?
AnonymousParticularly the portion of Pape Ave north of Danforth.
Science Centre Station
AnonymousWith the station being built at above the bus terminal, how high will the elevation be, will it impact the Superstore and will there be changes to the configuration of the Don Mills and Eglinton intersection?
Signage Typeface
Anonymouswhat kind of typeface should the Ontario line use for wayfinding signage?
ClearviewADA or Swiss721?
Needs Assessment
AnonymousIs there a justification for this, especially with current downtown utilization. Is this baesd upon the desire to expand the desire to expand the footprint of the GTA.
Public Spaces
AnonymousFor stations Like Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, since these are elevated stations will there be public spaces built around these stations?
Delay of Thorncliffe Meeting - Sept 16th?
Anonymousis it possible to delay this meeting to the week of September 20th - after the Federal Election? This is the week there are 3 Federal All Candidate Meetings being held from Sept 13th to Sept 16th in Don Valley East (flemingdon park) and Don Valley West (thorncliffe park)?
Fences or WALL
AnonymousYou are building a WALL, not a fence.
Consideration for Thorncliffe Park
AnonymousConsideration to Thorncliffe Park train yard
Anonymous
Sep 12, 2021 - 16:34
It’s interesting to me that it appears the train yard only takes out the mosque and Iqbal plaza behind it, but not the Tim Hortons or Pharmacy at the corner, nor the Costco. Considering the demographic of this neighborhood, how and why would this location be considered? What are you doing to help the community relocate these important services within the neighborhood? This is a neighborhood easily accessible for all resident needs by foot, it needs to remain as such.
The underground & elevated stations
AnonymousBesides having 3 stations platform screen doors except for Pape and Flemingdon Park stations,
I think it's best that Cosburn and Thorncliffe Park stations should have center island platforms
while Flemingdon Park and Science Centre stations has side platforms
Don Valley crossings - pedestrians and cyclists
AnonymousWill the new Don Valley crossings include pedestrian and cycling infrastructure?
Ontario line's number
Anonymouswill the Ontario line's number come from TTC line 3
See details below;
AnonymousWhy are you dismissing our main requests (covered bridge, sound barrier)?
In the past, you said you'd cap home expropriation at 4 homes. We heard that you're hinting that the final number could be higher than four. Why can't you commit?
DWA
Anonymouswill you also construct DWA's (Designated Waiting Area) inside the stations
& if you do, how many payphones and Passenger Assistance Intercoms will you add to a station platform?
train gauge
AnonymousThe majority of metro railway lines in Toronto use the "Toronto Gauge" (distance between each rail) as opposed to the gauge used on the main lines and the new LRT lines. It makes sense down the road for the Ontario Line to be cross-compatible with the subway network so maintenance vehicles can be shared and potentially if the loading gauge is similar, future vehicles can be purchased for the subway system AND the Ontario Line. We have already learned the dangers of having a separate line with different technology with the last 30+ years of the Scarborough RT.
Flemingdon Park station
AnonymousIs there any chance that Flemingdon Park gets scrapped because it cost too much? I hope not. We really need it.
Vehicle type and train length
AnonymousI have seen Metrolinx discussing the benefits of the Canada Line in Vancouver/Richmond. The issue discussed with the Canada Line is that the trains/stations are too short for the demand. Essentially building subway infrastructure with subway trains at light rail length. Please don't make the same mistake. This is Toronto! Please ensure the trains are at least 6 cars in length. Time to build transit for the future!
I know something you don't know.
Anonymousif the Ontario line doesn't get extended north to Don Mills station on line 4, the line won't connect to viva