Scarborough Subway

Extension EA

Stakeholder Advisory Group

February 9, 2015

City of Toronto|City Planning Division

Toronto Transit Commision

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Why are we here?

• City Council confirmed support for the extension of the Bloor-

Danforth subway line in October, 2013

• The proposed extension would replace the existing

Scarborough RT

• We are conducting a detailed assessment to determine the

best route and station locations for the new subway extension

– Kennedy Station

– Scarborough Centre

– Sheppard Avenue

• Route and station locations are subject to an Environmental

Assessment – Transit Project Assessment Process

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Note - All station location and alignment

options being considered are located within

the study area. Residents across Scarborough

and the entire City of Toronto will benefit from

transit and transportation network

improvements created by the Scarborough

Subway Extension

Study Area

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Objectives

• Support the city-building principles outlined in the city’s Official

Plan and Provincial Policy Statement

• Make transit as attractive a travel option as practically

possible in this area of Scarborough

• Better Experience

• No Transfer

• Faster Travel Time

• Minimize adverse environmental impacts

• Achieve cost-effectiveness

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Projects Being Planned

• We are currently studying the next group of projects for

consideration in the transit network

– Scarborough Subway Extension

– SmartTrack

– Relief Line

• Studies are being accelerated while ensuring significant community input

– Projects need to be “shovel ready” when funding becomes

available

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Meeting Purpose

• Introduce the study

• Role of the Advisory Group

• We are seeking input on four key areas

– Identifying a range of routes and station locations for analysis

– How we will choose the best route

– How you want to be involved

• What we have heard so far

Stakeholder

Advisory Group

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What is the SAG?

• Community leaders from across Scarborough and all of

Toronto

– Residents

– Businesses

– Institutions

– Issue Experts

• Through the establishment of the SAG, the City will

– Engage community leaders in the project – beyond the

engagement we are able to do with the public

– Solicit advice, address concerns and incorporate input from

community leaders about key questions

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The SAG is…

• Important – Advice from the SAG is prioritized by the City and

TTC

• Engaged – Throughout the Project Assessment, including TPAP

• Collaborative – An opportunity for community leaders to share

and learn from each other

• Inclusive and balanced – A variety of perspectives are

represented

• Transparent – Materials and minutes are posted online

• Flexible – Meeting styles may change depending on the

phase of the project

• Focused – Discussion will be kept on track

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The SAG is not…

• Able to make decisions – Responsibility for decisions lies with

staff and City Council / TTC Board

• About other projects – This is not the place to discuss opinions

on other projects unless they are directly related to the

discussion topic

• About LRTs –

• About politics –

Planning the Scarborough

Subway Extension

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Communications & Outreach

• Communications activities:

– A dedicated website

– Social media campaign

– Outreach in public spaces

• Consultation and feedback:

– Stakeholder Advisory Group of

community leaders

– Online consultation

– Traditional public meetings in the

study area

– Interactive workshops

The City and TTC are committed to engaging the public in a way

that’s transparent, collaborative, inclusive and authentic. The City

Planning Division will lead consultations.

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Process

Current Work

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Analysis of Existing ConditionsExamples:

• Land Use Patterns

– Areas of stability

– Opportunities for change

• Existing Transportation

conditions

– Existing transit routes

– Travel time for subway

passengers

– Travel patterns

• Social environment

– Public spaces

– Community services and

facilities

• Cultural environments

– Archaeological resources

– Heritage buildings

• Existing Infrastructure

– Large sewers and

watermains

– Hydro and communications

infrastructure

• Natural environment

– Groundwater

– Creeks

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Corridors Being Considered

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Make things better for transit riders?

Ease crowding on the system?

How will each corridor…

Provide choices for people to get where they

want to go?

Connect to local and regional bus routes?

Improve access for all residents to transit?

Help reduce inequities in areas currently under-

served by transit?

* These are examples of criteria. You can view and provide comments on all criteria on the

project website or at the interactive panels.

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Connect with where people live?

Provide transportation options for future

residents?

How will each corridor…

Build on the strengths of existing neighbourhoods?

Improve public areas around stations?

Reduce the distance people drive?

Impact the environment and natural features?

* These are examples of criteria. You can view and provide comments on all criteria on the

project website or at the interactive panels.

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Open up new economic development

opportunities?

Provide better access to jobs?

How will each corridor…

Be affordable to construct?

Be affordable to operate?

* These are examples of criteria. You can view and provide comments on all criteria on the

project website or at the interactive panels.

Future Phases

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Making Decisions• Study Approach & Timing

•Public Consultation Plan

• Long List of Corridors

•Evaluation Criteria

Phase 1 - Setting the Stage

• Identify Alternative Corridors and

• Select Preferred Corridor Phase 2 - Choosing the Corridor

•Analysis of Alignments and Station Concepts and

• Select Recommended Subway Extension

Phase 3 –Recommending the Alignment

•Transit Project Assessment ProcessPhase 4 -Final Review

Approved Route

What We Are Hearing

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So far…

Two public meetings, web responses, email and phone comments:

Comments on study process and consultation plan

• Planning process is too long / too short

• Study area should include U of T Scarborough Campus

• Form an expert Advisory Panel

• Better involve residents to avoid expensive mistakes

• Consider provisions for a future extension

The top 3 criteria that were identified include:

• Affordability

• Supports Growth

• Shaping the City

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So far…

Two public meetings, web responses, email and phone comments:

• Most positive comments received about McCowan and

Markham corridors

• Destinations most often highlighted by participants:

– The Scarborough Hospital

– Eglinton GO Station

– Centennial College

– University of Toronto – Scarborough

• Other comments highlight specific development

opportunities, transit connections and the need for parking

lots

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Your Input

Provide all feedback by February 16

Provide feedback on:

1. Possible routes and station locations

2. How we will choose the best route

3. How can we communicate with and involve your

communities?