Strachan Ave. Overpass Community Design Update

October 26, 2010Stephen Lipkus

Executive Director – Georgetown South ProjectGO Transit

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Welcome

Program Overview• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Storyboard Review

– Project Overview– Design Update– Outline for Community Feedback

• 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.: Design Presentation• 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Community Feedback

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What is the goal of tonight’s meeting?

• Update you on the design progress and next steps• Discuss the engineering that is required to complete this project• Get your feedback

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Phases of Public Consultation

• Planning Phase – opportunity for the community to provide input on the project. Discussion is open to a broad range of discussion topics.

• Design Phase – feedback is more focused and generally limited to aesthetic and design elements including: appearance, treatments, fences/barriers, lighting, etc.

• Construction Phase – input is focused on minimizing construction impacts and keeping everyone the community informed.

• Operational Phase – feedback is focused on how to use the new service and how it can be improved.

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Feedback in Action

What you told us What we didLowering the rail corridor is the only option to maintain non-vehicular access to the waterfront and South Liberty

• The current design lowers the rail corridor and raises Strachan Avenue

Intersection of Strachan with Douro/Wellington should not be adversely impacted

• The road profile will have minimal impacts to the intersection

Concern that possible double hump on Strachan Ave. Overpass will reduce accessibility for those with mobility issues.

• A flatter road profile has been designed to accommodate pedestrian and cycling traffic flows

Concern that some options will adversely impact neighbourhood look/feel/integrity

• We are soliciting feedback from the community on the design

The current design is a result of the community feedback received during the planning phase. We changed the original design options based on your feedback.

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Project Details

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Construction ImpactsImpact What we will do

Noise and Vibration • Use quieter construction methods (e.g. augering) and identify where noise mitigation will be required

• Noise and vibration will be monitored and reported before and during construction

Possible Property Effects • Pre-condition surveys to document condition of the property before construction begins

Temporary lane/road restrictions

• Restrictions will only be used when necessary, and where possible confined to weekends

Dust • Water soil to minimize dust• Wash trucks to minimize dust and debris

Temporary easements • Work with property owners to get construction access

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Why are we doing all this?

• Expand public transit – getting people out of their cars and onto transit is one of the best ways to address congestion and regional air quality

• Increase capacity – Georgetown line is currently at capacity during peak periods

• Better Service– More train capacity – Faster commute times– Two-way, all-day service

• Connect Union Station to Pearson International Airport– Air Rail Link will connect Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs

• Increasing Safety– Removing level rail crossing reduces the chance of rail collisions

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Strachan Ave. Overpass Design

What are we doing?• Lowering the rail corridor from Bathurst to King Streets• Rail corridor to be lowered by about 5 metres; Strachan Avenue

crossing will be raised by at most 2-3 metres at the crossing• Temporary detour realignment of Strachan AvenueConstruction Timeline• Relocation of existing utilities start: winter 2011• Grade separation construction start: summer 2011• Construction complete: fall 2014

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What will this look like?

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Strachan Ave. Overpass Cross-Section

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Looking East

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Fort York Bridge and Beginning of Lowered Corridor

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Design Considerations

Challenges• Maximum possible track grade = 2%• Construction must be staged to minimize impacts to:

– Train service – GO, VIA, CN, CP– Traffic and crossing access on either side of the rail corridor– Community Safety

• Profile the rail corridor to eliminate pumping station• Strachan Avenue profile to have a minimum raise at

Douro/Wellington intersection • Several large utilities within corridor need to be relocated and

protected• Accommodating potential future electrification

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Design Considerations (cont’d)

Community Accessibility• Properties to continue to have access to Strachan Avenue, Douro and Wellington

StreetsOther • Collaborate with other ongoing projects such as:

– Fort York Pedestrian Bridge – completion by 2012– King St. Pedestrian Bridge – City of Toronto project

• West Toronto Railpath– Grading consultant has completed review of the corridor and identified where

the railpath can be accommodated

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Design Considerations (cont’d)• Chlorinated solvents located west of Strachan Ave.

– GO Transit will clean up the residue created by previous industries – includes degreasers, cleaning solutions, etc.

– The clean up will not have an adverse impact on the surrounding community

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How did we come up this design?

Geotechnical Investigation• Assessment of subsurface soil and rock conditions in the area• Identification of water table and potential settlement issues• Obtain foundation design recommendationsTrack alignment• Develop track design in accordance with railway and GO standardsSchedule• Ensure construction completion by end of 2014Minimize impact to the community• Minimize property acquisitions and easements• Ensure construction staging limits traffic and noise impacts to

surrounding neighbours

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Geotechnical Information - West

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Geotechnical Information - East

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12 Month Look Ahead

• Overpass alignment and design to be completed by mid-2011• Construction to start January 2011• North wall of the corridor to be built near Fort York Pedestrian Bridge

Project - also set to start in winter 2011 work is being coordinated with the City of Toronto

• Main construction to start in summer 2011

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Community Feedback

Feedback Sessions• You will work with your neighbours to provide feedback on the design

(e.g. how it looks and functions, and how the construction impacts the community)

Online Feedback• The community will also be able to comment on the design using our

website: www.gotransit.com/gtsReport Back• We will compile everyone’s feedback and report back to the

community in early December

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Community Communications

901 King Street West416-581-1300

gts@gotransit.com

Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Strachan Community Office is located at the corner of King Street West and Strachan Avenue.