Metrolinx gets down and dirty with trees

Well they told us they would. The GO-RER project was always going to remove a lot of trees. Now they have finally begun to give us the counts.

Metrolinx at it again!

At what? Why dreaming up irritating new projects of course.

There have been two major developments with Metrolinx expansion plans in the east end of the city:

1. 1. A request for proposals has gone out (May) to selected construction consortia for work on Phase III of the GO-RER project.
   2. Metrolinx has published a preliminary business case for building the Ontario Line, a replacement for the City of Toronto’s relief line project

The RFP for Phase III (previously Package 3) is noteworthy because it appears to have been been put out in advance of RFPs for Packages 1 and 2. On the face of it, this seems like an illogical move. How can anything other than somewhat theoretical proposals be submitted prior to knowing in detail what will be built during the course of the earlier phases? The proposals are supposed to include their drafters’ best estimates as to whether electrification or hydrogen powered diesels are the most practical. But how do you do that unless you know whether work done in Phase I will provide enough room for the electrification infrastructure?

The Metrolinx Board of Directors and Growing Opacity

Sure seems like a lot of things have changed since the last time I attended a Metrolinx board meeting, back in June of 2017. There are some new faces around the table. Don Wright has replaced Rob Prichard as board chair, and the new CEO, Phil Verster, was there, larger than life. The always empathetic Judy Pfeifer sadly has apparently moved on to a new position outside of Metrolinx. There have been other changes in the senior management team as well, too numerous to mention.

The commuter rail Public Safety Gap

Members of the Lakeshore East Corridor Community Advisory Committee recently sent a letter of concern to the Metrolinx Board of Directors and Senior Management. In it we pointed out the frightening difference between the various safety measures planned for the GO-RER project and the complete absence of such measures associated with service expansion increases just as large as envisioned for GO-RER. This is what we have called the commuter rail Public Safety Gap. Those service increases are going ahead now, putting all of us at increasing risk. You can read the complete letter HERE=> metrolinxBoardLetter-01

Metrolinx Town Hall: Wanna’ see for yourself?

The video recording (careful; it’s an hour and a half):

More here: https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/content/ask-metrolinx-september-26-2018

 

Metrolinx Town Hall answers: A-swing-and-a-miss (x2)!

Metrolinx didn’t do too well at the plate during their Town Hall last week. We pitched some critical questions at them, but sadly they never knocked one out of the park.

The Pitch (a question from Dave):

How will you ensure public safety with service increases?

Metrolinx has embarked on a program of increased service along the Lakeshore East and West Corridors, very similar to what is described as part of your GO-RER Project. The Environmental Assessment for GO-RER called for mitigation of project outcomes of increased noise, vibration, emissions and rail safety risk. What mitigation will you undertake for causing exactly the same increases in noise, vibration, emissions and rail safety risk through increased diesel rail service?

Metrolinx: 2 brains but only 1 heart?

In our neighbourhood we have been dealing with Metrolinx for over two years now. The topic of our dialogue has been GO-RER, an ambitious 10-year project that would see new rail lines built, an over 300% increase in service in certain areas and electrification of the entire GO train system.

We are supporters of this carefully planned project to benefit residents of the greater Toronto area and beyond. Our discussions with Metrolinx have focused largely on the increased noise, vibration, air pollution and rail safety risks that such an ambitious increase in rail service will bring. And these discussions have been fruitful.

Asking the Federal Government to help protect families along rail corridors

To Whom It May Concern,

All across this great country there are trains traveling through residential areas. I am writing to you from one such area, I live in the Lakeshore East Corridor. An established area where pockets of homes are considered heritage buildings, homes range in height (i.e. 3 storey homes) and many properties are well under the 30-metre setback requirement (a requirement that is considered for new development). As a principal line for VIA, CN and Go-Transit, it will experience significant changes because of both the GO Expansion and the Relief Line projects.

I am asking the Federal Government to standardize measures by which every province can protect the families working and living along train corridors. Examples of the negative impacts I along with other residents are facing:

Metrolinx announces service increases on Lakeshore East and West Corridors

Well, we didn’t have to wait long to find out why Metrolinx was testing increased rail traffic during September. The other shoe has fallen and we have now learned that the increased service levels will be permanent. Clearly, the order for increased service had come down during the summer and that had precipitated the September test.

Sadly, this 21% escalation of rail activity brings with it some grave risks to public safety.

CAC meeting #4 with Metrolinx

CAC members met for the fourth time with Metrolinx staff on August 20.

This was a meeting where we tried to get some information on plans for current operation of GO trains independently of the RER project. We were successful, but only after considerable effort at dragging answers out of MX staff during the meeting. Nineteen pages of meeting notes! Sorry. (see the link to our notes from the meeting at the end of this post)