Finch MSF EA Consulation July 7, 2014

1. FINCH WEST LRT PROJECT
July 9, 2014 | Julius Banquet Centre
2201 Finch Avenue West
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

2. Metrolinx, an agency of the
Government of Ontario
under the Metrolinx Act,
2006, was created to
improve the coordination
and integration of all modes
of transportation in the
Greater Toronto and
Hamilton Area (GTHA).
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Metrolinx

3. Toronto Transit Projects

4. Toronto Transit Projects
• Finch West LRT: represents $1B of the $8.4B investment by
the Government of Ontario to expand and improve transit in
Toronto
• 2010: the City of Toronto completed an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the replacement of bus service on
Finch Avenue from Finch Station at Yonge Street on the
Yonge-University-Spadina Subway line to Humber College
• November 2012: Metrolinx, the City of Toronto and the TTC
signed a Master Agreement which included the Finch West
LRT project
• Metrolinx is responsible for the project delivery, and TTC
(under contract with Metrolinx) will operate the service.

5. Finch Avenue: Current Situation
• The 36 Finch West bus is
top 3 busiest bus routes
in Toronto with about
42,600 passengers per
weekday.
• Frequent bus service operating in mixed traffic and so
close together results in “bunching.”
• Forecasted demands (to 2031) would require 32 to 39
‘articulated’ buses or 45 to 55 ‘standard’ buses per hour.

6. Proposed Alignment

7. • 11 kilometres of light rail transit in a neighbourhood that
needs more transit: along Finch Avenue from Finch
West subway station (at Keele Street) to Humber
College.
• Replaces 35 morning and 29 afternoon peak period
buses from existing lanes of traffic
• Provides rapid transit to 42,600 passengers per weekday
• Up to 18 stops along the alignment
• Provides rapid transit connection at Finch West Station
(of the new Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension).
Project Details

8. • LRT service supports existing and future ridership
demands.
– The projected ridership for the Finch corridor is 2,800
passengers per hour in the peak direction by 2031.
• LRT cars can be added or removed easily, thus providing
flexibility to accommodate ridership demands.
• The existing 36m right-of-way along the majority of Finch
Avenue will be able to accommodate the addition of the
LRT trackway and maintain two lanes of through traffic in
either direction.
Why LRT?

9. High Capacity
A light rail vehicle car carries about three times the number of
passengers as a bus.

10. • The LRT will provide service that is over 20% faster than
buses in mixed traffic today.
• Priority signaling at intersections will also make the
service more reliable.
• Designated bicycle lanes, which currently do not exist
along Finch, will be provided along the entire length of
the LRT corridor.
• An investment in improved transit provides the
opportunity for an enhanced streetscape to
accommodate future growth along Finch Avenue.
Project Benefits

11. Reliable. Convenient. Comfortable.
• dedicated transit line for
reliable service
• predictable travel times
• traffic signal coordination
• automated fare vending
machines
• next vehicle arrival screens
• similar to Highway 7 viva
rapidways currently under
construction

12. Proven Technology
• LRTs are used around the world, including cities with climates
similar to Toronto like Edmonton, Calgary and Minneapolis, and
international cities like Paris and Stockholm.

13. Accessible. Multiple Doors. PRESTO.
• Multiple entrances and low floors to ensure fast and
accessible boarding.
• Each vehicle will use PRESTO proof-of-payment system.

14. Made-in-Ontario Technology
• 4 sets of doors per car (2 single, 2 double)
• up to 2 cars per trip can be supported on Finch
• high-tech, air conditioned vehicles made in Thunder Bay
• LRT service will be operated by TTC and fully integrated
into the existing Toronto transit system

15. Typical Surface Alignment
• The LRT will run on dedicated lanes in the middle of the roadway.
• Finch Avenue will be widened to maintain existing lanes of traffic.*
(*Some narrowing at the CP Bridge west of Highway 400.)

16. Typical Alignment: Intersection

17. Typical Left Turn Arrangement
• Mid-block exits guided to traffic signals for left turns.

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Project Status
• The Finch West LRT represents a $1B investment in
expanded and improved transit in the City of Toronto.
• The project is fully funded and approved.
• EA completed in 2010.
• preliminary/detailed design engineering work: 2014-2016
• construction: 2016-2020
• in-service: 2020

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Consideration of Potential Impacts
• Metrolinx will build on the approved Environmental
Assessment for the Finch West LRT.
• In the design process that is now beginning, Metrolinx
will address potential impacts to the local community.
• Key elements to be addressed include:
• trucking access along Finch Avenue and
throughout the community
• traffic impacts
• streetscape along Finch Avenue

20. Financial Close
Request for Proposals (RFP) Issued
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2019 2020 2021
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Issued
Design and Construction Timeline
Project Timeline
2015 2016 2017 20182009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Maintenance & Storage Facility Environmental Assessment Consultations

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Questions?
WEBSITE www.metrolinx.com/finchwest
EMAIL finchwest@metrolinx.com
PHONE 416-782-8118
TTY 1-800-387-3652