Update
Our team is continuing to support our residents, business and communities. During this time, Open Houses have moved to a virtual format and the most recent event can be found below. We received questions that we didn’t get to during the virtual session and have started posting answers at the bottom of this page. We are working to answer the remaining questions and will share them as soon as possible.
Archive – March 15, 2021
On March 15 2021, Metrolinx hosted a virtual open house including speakers from our senior leadership team with 50 people in attendance. During the one-hour open house, we answered as many questions as possible about the Scarborough Subway Extension. Participants voted on questions and were particularly interested in hearing about progress, project design, schedule, property impacts and mitigation measures for noise and vibration.
In case you missed the event, you’ll find the answers in the video recording below. We also received additional questions during the virtual session and are committed to answering those as well. Answers will be posted at the bottom of this page.
Meet the Speakers
Mark Ciavarro
VP, Scarborough Subway Extension Project
Mike Hodge
Program Sponsor, Scarborough Subway Extension Project
Alessandra Lionzo
Technical Director, Scarborough Subway Extension Project
Other Attendees
- Carrie Sheaffer, Senior Manager, Environmental Programs and Assessments
- James Francis – Manager, Environmental Programs and Assessments
- Carolyn Tunks – Manager, Pre-Construction Services
Comments
TTC buses
AnonymousSide street buses for more direct drop offs will be considered? From Kennedy or Lawrence e.g Galloway road bus? Much needed esp. in winter.
Answer
MetrolinxThe TTC will continue to be responsible for their own service plans. We encourage the community to share their thoughts and suggestions about bus services with the TTC.
Ridership at Scarborough Centre station
AnonymousThe Scarborough Centre Station has as a ridership than many subway stations. Can you list the subway stations that have a smaller ridership then this station?
Answer
MetrolinxWe encourage the community to reach out to the TTC regarding current ridership at subway stations.
French language
AnonymousProlongement de la ligne est un projet Metrolinx. Comment les mises à jour, l'affichage et les annonces respecteront-ils la Loi sur les services en français?
Answer
MetrolinxHi Chris, Metrolinx is committed to providing all public-facing project information in both English and French, as required by the French Language Services Act. Project updates in French can be found on our French webpage- http://www.metrolinx.com/fr/greaterregion/projects/scarborough-subway-ex.... Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] if you have require any additional French materials.
Scarborough Centre station
AnonymousScarborough Centre Subway Station was to be the 2nd busiest terminus station when build in the one-stop plan. What is the expected ridership on the 3 stop plan?
Answer
MetrolinxThe Scarborough Centre station is forecasted to have 5,100 riders per hour, in both east and west directions, during rush hours (by 2041).
Recording of engagement
AnonymousUnable to attend, but do wish/looking forward to receiving the video of the March 15 update and Q&A session
Answer
MetrolinxHi, you can find a recording of the session at: https://youtu.be/66etQP48vIA. Stay tuned and follow us for more engagement opportunities.
Lawrence station
AnonymousThe station box at Lawrence is currently 40 m below surface in the middle of the intersection. Will this intersection be closed down for any length of time?
Answer
MetrolinxHi, we will be engaging and sharing our construction mitigation plans with the community as design progresses and construction details are confirmed with our proponents. Roadway widening, traffic shifts or temporary roadway decking where possible will be used to minimize impact to traffic and roadway. Expect to see more frequent consultations as construction activity ramps up for the Advance Tunnel contract.
Scarborough RT
AnonymousWhat will happen to the existing Scarborough RT line?
Answer
MetrolinxWe will engage with the City and TTC to understand their vision for the future of the infrastructure, which we understand will be the subject of community consultation.
Commute times
AnonymousHow will commute times be impacted for people currently using Lawrence East, Ellesmere, and Midland Stations?
Answer
MetrolinxWe are committed to advancing discussions with the City of Toronto and the TTC to better understand what options and alternatives they may need to put in place. To keep people moving, quickly and easily, with the same level of service. We know how important it is to ensure the people of Scarborough have access to rapid transit.
Impacts at McCowan & Sheppard
AnonymousWhat impacts can the residents at McCowan & Sheppard expect during terminus and tunnel construction (i.e. utilities disruptions, street-level accessibility)?
Answer
MetrolinxResidents in the McCowan and Sheppard area can expect to see temporary lane restrictions and the partial closure of intersections to prepare for long-term construction operations. These temporary lane closures and intersection closures are required to expedite work and complete work safely.
Station depth
AnonymousAre the stations going to be super deep like the stations of the Line 1 Vaughan extension? Those are inconvenient to go down so many flights of stairs.
Answer
MetrolinxThe entire line, including station buildings, access points, elevators and ramps, will meet or exceed all necessary accessibility standards.
Bus terminal at Lawrence East station
AnonymousAt the Lawrence East Station, where will the bus terminal be located?
Answer
MetrolinxWe are finalizing design plans at this station and will have more details to share about bus terminals in the future.
Construction impacts
Anonymoushow construction would impact the residents/existing residental buildings along subject road-Danforth Road? regarding to vibrantion/noise? foundation of homes
Answer
MetrolinxWe're committed to minimizing and managing all issues including noise, vibration and dust. Metrolinx will communicate directly with residents who will need modifications to their property to accommodate the construction of the subway extension.
YRT buses
Anonymouswill there be YRT bus service to sheppard-mccowan station?
Answer
MetrolinxAt all the stations in the Scarborough Subway Extension there will be various bus connections. As the project develops, updates regarding regional transit plans to connect municipalities will be communicated to the public.
Bus-only lanes on Ellesmere
AnonymousCan you consider using the SRT corridor from Kennedy to Ellesmere as a bus-only road and bus-only lanes on Ellesmere to make the connection easier for 7 years?
Answer
MetrolinxThank you for your suggestion! Metrolinx supports municipalities with transit and will continue to assist the TTC as they’ve decided to shut down the SRT in 2023. The TTC is currently evaluating their options and they plan to present some recommendations to their board in 2022.
Scarborough Centre station
AnonymousWhy are you moving the Scarb Centre station away from the mall/governement offices/civic centre? You are making people walk further. Keep the existing location!
Answer
MetrolinxTo successfully connect more communities with accessible transit, the new station for Scarborough Centre will be directly south of the shopping centre, 500m east of the existing station presenting some challenges for a bridge connection.The city of Toronto is undergoing a study of the area that will review pedestrian connections.
Tunnel depth
AnonymousHow deep will the tunnell boring be. Will it go under the 401?
Answer
MetrolinxThe depth of the tunnel will vary between 15-40m (from ground to track). At highway 401, the tunnel will be approximately 17-20m from the ground to the top of the tunnel (or 27-30m from ground to the track).
Property requirements at Scarborough Centre
AnonymousAt the Scarborough Centre Station, will the Jack Astors and Scaddabush need to be purchased for the new TTC Terminal?
Answer
MetrolinxWe strive to limit the amount of property we need to support the construction of important and much-needed transit infrastructure. If the land where these restaurants are located has to be purchased, Metrolinx will work directly with owners and tenants to see how they may be able to continue operating.
Scarborough centre stop
AnonymousScarborough town center is a main employment area\growth center with plenty of commuters. Why won't the subway stop be closer to it?
Answer
MetrolinxTo successfully connect more communities with accessible transit, the new station for Scarborough Centre will be directly south of the shopping centre, 500m east of the existing station presenting some challenges for a bridge connection.The city of Toronto is undergoing a study of the area that will review pedestrian connections.
Parking at McCowan/Sheppard station
AnonymousIn the plan for the McCowan/ Sheppard Station will parking for cars be available? Is the station only accessible by TTC, taxi, cyclists or pedestrians?
Answer
MetrolinxOur current plans for stations on the Scarborough Subway Extension do not include parking lots or garages but we are designing stations to maximize connectivity and convenience. This includes working closely with our transit partners at the TTC and GO to maximize the number of local connections and transfer points at each station.
Final designs for the stations, including passenger pick up and drop off locations, will be developed through the procurement process that started in September 2021. As these designs are finalized, we will share them with the community.
Panelists
AnonymousWhere do all the panelists live and work? What is their background / lived experiences with Scarborough Transit?
Answer
MetrolinxOur goal is to reflect the customers and communities we serve, in all their richness and diversity. Our panelists support these conversations with their project expertise to address concerns and answer questions.
Line 2 trains
AnonymousWill we receive new Line 2 trains once the stations open?
Answer
MetrolinxAs a part of the Line 2 subway extension into Scarborough, new trains will be purchased to enhance the existing fleet. Collaborations between Metrolinx, TTC and the province of Ontario will be ongoing to provide municipalities with services that meet their expectations.
Supporting the project
AnonymousCongrats on getting Strabag and Arup on board! How best can Scarborough residents support your important work?
Answer
MetrolinxMetrolinx will be collaborating with Strabag to host a trade show in 2022 showcasing community benefits for residents in the area.
SRS work schedule
AnonymousCan any SR&S work begin before TBM extraction at Eglinton and Midland? If not, is it safe to assume tunneling work will finish in 2023 (when SR&S starts)?
Answer
MetrolinxEarly works, like utility relocations and surveying, related to the stations, railway and systems contract may begin before tunnelling is complete in 2024. We will share more information with the community about construction schedules as they are finalized.
Sheppard East Subway Extension
AnonymousWait a second. Why is it that the 'Future Sheppard east Subway extension' is not one of your Metrolinx projects although it'll connect to this extension
Answer
MetrolinxThere have been internal discussions, but no formal funding announced for this expansion. Within the design, Metrolinx aims to ensure new transit being built has options for future connectivity.
Side platforms
AnonymousCan you have at least one or two stations with side platforms
Answer
MetrolinxThere will be two side platforms for the stations at Lawrence and Scarborough Centre. Additional information will be coming in the near future regarding their exact locations.
Bus routes
AnonymousWhich bus routes will be available from Sheppard & McCowan station? Will this station have a bus terminal as well or solely be an underground subway station?
Answer
MetrolinxHi, thanks for your question. We are working closely with the TTC to identify which bus services they will be running at this station. Details about bus connections at future Scarborough Subway Extension stations will depend on the TTC’s service planning. We are finalizing design plans at this station and will have more details to share about bus terminals in the future.
Answer
MetrolinxSheppard will be an underground terminus station located directly east of McCowan Road and north of Sheppard Avenue.