Imagine a light rail line that could take you from Danforth all the way up the Don Mills/Leslie corridor into Richmond Hill. That was one of the transit projects identified by Metrolinx near the end of last year as part of the master plan for transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
The light rail line study is now underway and we want your input. We are having a public meeting on Wednesday, June 10, where we will present our plan for the York Region portion of the line that will run on Leslie from Steeles to Highway 7.
The City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) are currently undertaking a preliminary planning study to identify an LRT route in this corridor from Danforth to Steeles. Although we are conducting different studies, we are working with staff at the City of Toronto and TTC on the light rail line.
Similar to our vivaNext rapidways, the LRT vehicles will operate in their own right-of-ways – enabling them to safely speed past congested traffic, no matter what time of day.
Like all of our projects, we want to ensure that anyone with an interest in the study has the opportunity to get involved and have their voice heard.
What do you think of a light rail line through this corridor? Join us in person for the meeting or, if you can’t make it, let us know your thoughts by commenting on our blog.
For more information on light rail transit or the current studies please see our website
The meeting will be held:
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
6:30 to 9:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn
300 Commerce Valley Drive East,
Thornhill, ON
6 replies on “Light rail transit coming soon to York Region”
What about the proposed Viva Green up Leslie? will it still exist or will Viva Silver take up the route or will there be no BRT/Viva entirely? And what about the Stations will there be transfers to Yrt/TTC?
I live along Leslie Street, north of Highway 7. Will the proposed line be built in the center median? Or will Leslie Street be expanded to accomidate the North/South LRT line? Is a large parking facility being considered also? Eg. Richmond Hill GO Station, or Finch TTC parking? I assume this will be a positive impact to home values?
DaleA: Thank you for your questions. In York Region, the proposed Don Mills Road/Leslie Street LRT will extend from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7. We’re still in the very early stages of studying this transit project and are closely coordinating our efforts with the City of Toronto and TTC, who are studying a similar proposal in the area from the Bloor-Danforth subway north to the Toronto/York Region boundary at Steeles Avenue. Like our vivaNext rapidways, the proposed Don Mills Road/Leslie Street LRT will operate in dedicated centre lanes of the roadway– enabling light rail vehicles to safely speed past congested traffic, no matter what time of day. It will also encourage mixed-used, transit-oriented development along its route as people come to live, work, shop and play in close proximity to great transit service. Parking will also be examined as part of the study process. Many factors influence the value of a property, but having a rapid transit alternative in close proximity to where you live is certainly very attractive to some homebuyers.
Hi Dale,
I think it would best to have the bike rack on the platform – my perception is that it will be safer there plus I assume it would be easier to build a shelter from the weather. As to which side of the platform, my thoughts are to keep it closet to the street crossing. Once I get off the bike, I can lock up instead of wheeling the bike all the way to the other end of the platform weaving through the waiting passengers.
How soon do you think construction will begin on this light rail – assuming funding availability?
DaleA: Thanks for the input on the bike rack placement. We’ll keep that in mind as we go forward with the design process. As for your question about when construction will begin, we’re just in the preliminary stages of the study. Once the study is complete, an Environmental Project Report will be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval. Once approved, then the various levels of Government can consider funding for construction. It’s too early to say when shovels might go in the ground at this point.
This line would be extremely helpful for me. I envision biking to the station at Commerce Valley and Leslie St and then taking the LRT to my office just off Don Mills and north of York Mills.
The question is, will the LRT permit 20″ folding bikes on board? If not, what weather and theft protecting facilities will be available? (Ideally I would like to bring the bike on board)
This will allow my wife and I to remain as a 1 car household even with kids.
DaleA: Thank you for your question Paul. It is good to know that new light rail transit line will make your commute to work easier. It is too early to say whether the light rail vehicles will be equipped to handle bicycles, although if they do not have exterior racks you will probably be able to bring your bike on the vehicle similar to the subway now.
However, all of the new rapidway stations and the new light rail stations will have bike racks. We are just figuring out now the best spot to put the racks on the platform. For example, should they be on the platform or on the corner of the intersection? And if they are on the platform, should they be closer to the street crossing or on the other side of the shelter? What do you think?
Ah, I should read more carefully. Only as far north as highway 7 then. Too bad.
Who will operate the line north of Steeles? Will this become a VIVA line, or will the TTC still run it?
DaleA: It is rather early in the study, but as time progresses we will be in discussion with the City of Toronto and the TTC about who will operate the light rail service that crosses into York Region.
But how far north will it extend? At least to highway 7, I would assume. Are there plans to extend it as far north as Major Mac?
DaleA: That is an excellent question. We are currently studying light rail transit line options to Highway 7. However, motions have recently been received from the Town of Markham and the Town of Richmond Hill to extend the study area to Major Mackenzie. This request has been acknowledged and is currently under review.