GO Expansion: Don Valley Layover Community Update June 29, 2021
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GO Expansion: Don Valley Layover Community Update June 29, 2021
Proposed Don Valley Layover Facility Proposed Site: Aerial View Proposed Site: View from Don Valley Parkway looking South Note: Conceptual design subject to further study Note: Conceptual design subject to further study
Land Acknowledgement Let us take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of many nations. In particular, the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. We acknowledge that Metrolinx operates on these lands and has a responsibility to work with the original keepers of this territory and the many diverse Indigenous Peoples living here today.
We are at a Key Stage in the Process
What have we What we are doing now? Where we want
done? Talking to the community and refining designs to be?
Environmental Community • Develop community input forums Don Valley Layover
Assessment Process • Review design elements to lead
Involvement on
to most successful design • Meets key
• Background Project Direction operational need
• Prioritize restoration activities
Studies for GO
Expansion -
• Community
• Work with City and TRCA on developing faster and
Stakeholder Stakeholder
and implementing restoration frequent service
Consultation Discussions and
• Coordination of project adjacent to • Minimized
• Conceptual Agreements Don Valley Park
Design Impacts on Don
Valley - with
• Review of Facility Requirements – Reduce to
a focus on
Refinement of Core Functions restoration
Project • Construction Approach to minimize footprint
Requirements • Best practices
What is a Layover Facility?
• A facility that allows for the storage of trains for periods where they are not required for
service.
• This facility will act as a day-time off-peak (weekdays between the morning and evening
peak periods) facility – three trains will be stored in a linear configuration
• The layover facility will have wayside power (allowing trains to be connected to the grid,
rather than idling during storage.
• The infrastructure needs at a particular layover facility vary by location and role. Final
requirements are being determined.
Why is a Layover Needed at this Location?
• To achieve targeted service levels as part of the GO Expansion program.
• Reduce congestion at Union Station, and the distance empty trains need to travel for
midday storage.
• Existing nearby facilities (Don and Bathurst Yards) have already been expanded and have
no additional capacity.
• This layover will make use of the existing track on the Metrolinx-owned Don Branch and an
existing access road – reducing the need for additional infrastructure and impact on the
Don Valley.
• Upcoming Union Station track reconfiguration work will remove platforms during
construction, impacting operations at Union. The facility is needed as soon as possible.
Capacity or Land Operations Impact Energy
Availability Frequency Use
Do Nothing n/a Cap fleet size – unable to meet Yes
headways (train schedules)
Existing Yards
Don / Wilson Under expansion – capacity Create Delays: LSE & Stouffville Yes Increase
assigned
Bathurst At Capacity Wrong side of Union Yes Increase
End of Line
Milton / Allendale Moving empty train: impact Yes Increase
service Barrie/Milton lines
Maintenance Yards
Willowbrook / Moving empty train - impact Yes Increase
Whitby service Lakeshore lines
New / Expanded
Canary District Affordable housing
& school plans underway
Waterfront Area Not Available Create Delays: LSE & Stouffville Yes Increase
Rosedale Siding Needed for service Required as Passing Track Yes
Train Storage – East of Union Station
Train Storage – East of Union Station
Train Storage – Remote Locations
Allendale
Layover
Milton Layover Willowbrook Whitby
Maintenance Maintenance
and Storage and StorageRevisions to Proposed Don Valley Layover Facility
Following consultation with the community, the City of Toronto, and the Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority (TRCA), Metrolinx made the following revisions to the design and
location of the facility:
• Facility buildings have been moved to a higher elevation, adjacent to the storage track,
within Metrolinx’s right-of-way.
• Reconfigured the placement of buildings to reduce the footprint of the facility by 23%.
• Reduced the amount of required storage tracks from three to the one existing track by
parking trains in a linear configuration
• Moved the facility north of the viaduct to avoid the environmentally significant area.
Through detailed design Metrolinx will continue to address stakeholder comments with the
aim to further minimize impacts and enhance the ecological function of the Don Valley.What We Heard – Concerns in the Community
• Bringing industrial operations back into the Don Valley.
• Reversing the re-naturalization work in the Don Valley over the past 20-30 years.
• Impacts on trail users:
• Blocks views in the Don Valley including Prince Edward Viaduct.
• Impacts the overlook views from properties along the south side of the ravine, that will
now look down onto the roof of the facility.
• Potential noise and pollution from diesel trains.Planning Review
• Metrolinx is undertaking a refinement of project
requirements which will review infrastructure
requirements in the Don Valley. This study will
take into consideration community inquiries with
respect to trail creation.
• Review operational requirements for the
Don Valley, as well as construction and
operational footprint.
Drawings produced at time of original
• Review future use of Don Branch construction of the Don Branch
(floodproofing the RH line/VIA high
frequency rail/potential trail use).
• These refinements are expected to be an input
to a design update and future construction of
the facility.Impact on Don Valley Park
Concern: Construction of the Don Valley Layover will impact use of the Don Valley as a park.
Response: Don Valley Layover is compatible with current park uses and does not eliminate
opportunity for future use of the Don Branch as a trail.
• Don Valley Layover does not impact
public amenities. Existing paths
are open and available for use.
• Don Valley Layover does not
preclude other uses north of the
Layover of the Don Branch including
continued rail uses or future Rail to
Trail.Don Valley Flood Risk
Concern: Flooding will limit the usefulness of the facility.
Response: Metrolinx is aware of potential flooding issues. This
location does not risk staff safety, and critical infrastructure.
Operational changes can be made when necessary to avoid
impacts.
• Weather is always a consideration for transit authorities.
Metrolinx closely monitors forecasts and adjusts services as
required. Storm events that cause flooding are rare, and
short term operational changes are possible if there was a
risk of the access track being flooded.
• Metrolinx has worked closely with the TRCA and
hydrogeological engineers, to ensure staff will be safe and
critical infrastructure will not be damaged by a storm event.
Images showing the impacts of
flood event in the Don Valley.Noise Impacts on Adjacent Residential Areas
Concern: Diesel Layover will result in noise to adjacent areas
Response: Metrolinx intends to operate this facility for daytime storage of off-peak diesel
trains. Up to three trains will arrive at this location following the AM Peak (9:30 or 10:00
a.m.) and leave just prior to PM Peak (3:30 p.m.).
• Trains will be connected to wayside power – and will not need to idle. The period when
the engines are running will be limited to the time required to connect or disconnect to
wayside power.
• Overnight storage of trains is not being considered for this location.
.Trees and Vegetation
Concern: Construction of the Don Valley Layover will result in extensive tree
removal.
Response: Layover facility will have a minimal footprint.
• Metrolinx is committed to retaining as much of the existing vegetation as
possible for environmental and screening purposes.
• Metrolinx has committed to replanting and restoring to compensate for lost
trees and vegetation.
• Opportunity to remove and replace invasive species with
natural, sustainable plantings.
• Explore opportunities to preserve locally significant species
• Vegetative screening will be a key element of the facilities design.Strategies to Minimize the Impacts on the Don Valley Particular attention will be given to the architecture and landscape design of the facility in order to reduce visual impacts from the recreational trail, overlooking residential areas and from the Don Valley Parkway. The facility will include: • Landscaped and planted areas that are environmentally sustainable and will be selected with consideration of the surrounding area and the City of Toronto's Green Standards. • Screened enclosures to minimize visual impacts • Light sources that minimize impacts on the trail/park users and environmentally sensitive areas. • Anti-graffiti coatings on public-facing retaining walls.
Strategies to Minimize the Impacts on Visitors the Don Valley
• Prioritize safety for people using the trails.
• Signage and fencing shall be provided for the Lower Don Valley Trail users during
construction of the facility.
• The Lower Don Valley Trail will remain open and accessible to the public during
construction, and reconstructed (if required) to pre-construction conditions.
• Maintenance activities, such as snow clearing, will not impact the Lower Don Valley Trail.
• Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented and maintained during
construction to avoid impacts to the Lower Don Valley Trail and Don River.GO Expansion Business Case
Concern: Investment in infrastructure for GO • Passengers will save over 10 minutes a trip on
average, while drivers benefit from less congested
Expansion no longer makes sense. roads
Response: GO Expansion continues to be • Over 40% of all will have direct access to a station
needed in the Region. with two-way all-day service with a train every 15
minutes or better
• Covid has an unprecedented impact in many
areas and transit usage is not immune.
• Transit usage in Toronto has fluctuated in the
past. Investments must look to a longer
horizon. Transit ridership will recover over
the longer term.
• GO Expansion is about getting people where
they need to goWe are at a Key Stage in the Process
What have we What we are doing now? Where we want
done? Talking to the community and refining designs to be?
Environmental Community • Develop community input forums Don Valley Layover
Assessment Process • Review design elements to lead
Involvement on
to most successful design • Meets key
• Background Project Direction operational need
• Prioritize restoration activities
Studies for GO
Expansion -
• Community
• Work with City and TRCA on developing faster and
Stakeholder Stakeholder
and implementing restoration frequent service
Consultation Discussions and
• Coordination of project adjacent to • Minimized
• Conceptual Agreements Don Valley Park
Design Impacts on Don
Valley - with
• Review of Facility Requirements – Reduce to
a focus on
Refinement of Core Functions restoration
Project • Construction Approach to minimize footprint
Requirements • Best practicesNext Steps - Community Consultation
What have we done? What do we need to do?
• Environmental Assessment – Three • Engage stakeholders on site walks and
Rounds of Public Consultation discussions
• Consultations with City of Toronto and • Host stakeholder workshops
TRCA (project refinements) • Regular updates to the community on
• Site Walks the project
• Briefings and presentations to Elected • Identify areas for compensation
Official and Organizations planting
• Participation in Community MeetingsNext Steps - Evaluating Options for Metrolinx Assets in the Don Valley
What have we done? What we need to do?
• Completed analysis of options to • Complete planning study that examines
address flooding in the Don Valley the future use of the Don Branch
• Environmental Assessment for GO • Continue to consult with
Expansion infrastructure stakeholders, including advocates for
• Consulted with stakeholders the rail to trail
• Provide recommendation on future use
of the Don BranchNext Steps – Refining the Design
What we have done? What we need to do?
• Identified required facilities on site • Continue conversations with
• Sized facilities based on initial stakeholders to understand design
requirements preferences
• Identified approaches to integrate • Verify facility requirements based on
facility into environment through design objectives.
screening • Develop site specific design guidelines
• Consulted Metrolinx design team for for inclusion in the project specification
key principals for design development • Review final facility designs for
compliance with guidelinesNext Steps - Tree and Vegetation Strategy
What we have done? What do we need to do?
• Environmental Assessment • Complete tree inventory and arborist
• Baseline Terrestrial report
• Preliminary tree identification report • Continue discussions with City of Toronto
• Initial conversations with TRCA on and TRCA around restoration and
restoration and compensation in the compensation
Don Valley Layover • Develop planting plans that contribute to
ecological functioning of the Don Valley in
coordination with City of Toronto
• Identify areas for compensation planting of
Metrolinx trees in coordination with City of
TorontoNext Steps – Overview Environmental Assessment - Completed Spring 2021 Community and Stakeholder Engagement – Underway and throughout the following: Refinement of Project Requirements – Underway – Fall 2021 Detailed Design – Late Fall 2021 Creation of Construction Liaison Committee Fall 2021 Construction Start – As Early as 2022
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