Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the project?
TTC and the City of Toronto want to identify the best way to provide high quality transit service across Finch Avenue West in a manner which:

is affordable
makes transit a much more attractive travel option relative to the private auto
supports the Citys growth objectives of a better variety and density of transit-oriented developments

It is recommended that new, accessible, modern, electrically powered light rail vehicles be operated in dedicated transit lanes, in the centre of the street. Vehicular traffic crossing the transit lane would occur at signalized intersections only, to ensure fast and reliable service.

What key benefits will this project bring to the City and local residents in particular? How does the project fulfill Official Plan objectives?
The Etobicoke Finch West Light Rail Transit will significantly enhance transit service for the community. By separating transit from general traffic, this project can provide a fast, reliable (predictable) ride for customers. More people will find transit an attractive alternative to the private auto so we are taking a major step towards Building a Transit City. Torontos Official Plan is premised on such an approach to making transit a more attractive travel option as the City grows.

This 17-kilometre long corridor would link Finch Station with northern Etobicoke. The light rail line would run west from Finch Station on the Yonge Subway along Finch Avenue. The line would end at Humber College. The light rail service would replace a busy existing bus route, and would provide fast and frequent east-west service through the northern part of North York and Etobicoke. In addition to Finch Station on the Yonge Subway, the line would connect with Finch West Station on the future Spadina Subway extension, and with the future Jane light rail corridor.

In the future, LRT service on Finch Avenue could be extended west to the Woodbine racetrack and Pearson Airport, and east to link with the Sheppard East LRT at Don Mills Station, to provide important regional connections.

What is the projected annual ridership of the route?
In 2021, it is expected that the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT will carry 25-million riders a year. Based on further, detailed forecasting (premised on development levels as far into the foreseeable future as possible – 2031) we can expect to be carrying between 2300 and 2800 people per hour in a single direction on the busiest point on the line.

Technology

What is LRT?
LRT technology is versatile and can be employed in different ways. However, most LRT systems have the following characteristics:

electrically powered rail vehicles with power supplied from overhead wires which allows them to operate on a city street or in a dedicated right-of-way. The vehicles can be operated individually, or combined into trains. The reserved right-of-way can take many forms from dedicated lanes in the middle of the street, underground tunnels, and abandoned railway corridors.
all-door loading (not just front doors)
automatic fare collection is characteristic of modern LRT lines in North America
stop spacing that is typically greater than on local bus/streetcar routes, but shorter than subway routes.

This flexibility makes LRT technology suitable for a wide range of passenger capacities and can be implemented at a much lower cost than subways.

Why is LRT preferred over a subway extension?
The design of a transit service is based on the number of people it is expected to carry per hour in a single direction at the peak point, the busiest spot on the line. City planning forecasts for the Finch West corridor into the foreseeable future show a peak point demand in the order of 2300 to 2800 people per hour. LRT technology can accommodate customer demand in a range of 2,000 to 8,000 riders per peak hour on a partially exclusive right-of-way in a cost effective and service efficient manner. Subway technology is not cost effective until demand reaches 10,000 riders per peak period hour. As a result, LRT is the technology that provides the best fit to meet current and anticipated demand for the next 20+ years.

Why is LRT preferred over buses?
LRT is more comfortable for riders, quieter, has no emissions on the street, and is far superior in carrying capacity in a constrained environment such as an arterial roadway. Buses in dedicated lanes, sometimes called BRT, or bus rapid transit, cannot easily accommodate the peak hour demand projected on Finch Avenue West unless the bus ROW includes by-pass lanes at intersections to allow some buses to operate express and pass local buses stopped to serve customers. To illustrate the problem, the forecasted demands would require as many as 37 buses per hour (one 18-metre long "articulated" bus about every 100 seconds). Even with dedicated lanes, buses operating this close together would very likely catch up to one another and bunching would result if some of them dont operate express. Given that there are a variety of important objectives for Finch Avenue West in addition to high quality transit such as a comfortable walking environment, attractive streetscaping, bike lanes, etc., there is not sufficient width available to allow for the construction of a by-pass lane to be added to the transit right of way.

LRT Service

What will be the service frequency of the Finch West LRT?
The Finch West LRT is anticipated to provide service to provide service every 3 to 3 1/2 minutes during the peak period on weekdays and every 10 minutes throughout the remainder of weekdays and on weekends.

Where will stops be provided?
Stations and stops will be provided at the following locations: LRT stops

Why will the LRT run in the middle of the street?
In order to provide fast and reliable service, the Transit City plan includes dedicated transit lanes. Any crossing of the lane by other traffic must have a traffic signal to ensure safety. The centre-street alignment is the best option for a dedicated right-of-way, because it protects the LRT operation, while providing equitable road space and access for other users of the road.

What will be the service frequency of the Finch West LRT?
The preferred orientation is to have far side stops where the LRT vehicle travels through the intersection to service a stop. This provides an efficient layout for the road space and, in conjunction with effective transit signal priority, permits efficient LRT operation. However, there are a number of factors that have been considered when deciding on the location of the platforms. They include: the availability of space for a platform; the need to have the platform located on a straight, level section of track; the anticipated walking and transfer patterns for the transit passengers; and the best location to provide faster transit service. As a result, the layout of platforms can vary from stop to stop.

Important Connections

Where will the Finch West LRT connect to the larger transit network (Subway lines)?
The LRT will have a connection to the Yonge Subway at Finch Station. It will also connect with the planned Finch West Station on the future Spadina Subway extension, and with the future Jane light rail transit corridor.

How far west on Finch Avenue will the LRT extend?
The line would end at Humber College. In the long term, the Finch West West corridor could be extended farther west to the Woodbine racetrack or Pearson Airport areas to provide important regional connections.

. How will a connection be made to the Yonge Subway at Finch Station and the future Finch West Station on the Spadina Subway Extension?
It is desirable that we have a convenient connection at both subway stations. Underground connections are being recommended at both subway stations to promote customer convenience as well as safe and efficient operation of the LRT vehicles through these busy intersections.

Bike Lanes

Will there be bike lanes on any portion of the LRT line on Finch Avenue?
Bike lanes will be provided along the entire route.

Fare System

What fare collection system will be used?
The fare system will be proof of payment (POP). Fare vending machines will be placed at all stops/stations and security staff will patrol the system checking at random that passengers riding the network have a valid fare.

LRT and Weather

Will the tracks and stops be sheltered from rain and snow? How will the tracks and stops be maintained in winter?
At surface stops, canopies will be installed to provide shelter from snow. Snow removal activities at stops and the tracks will be undertaken similar to the current winter maintenance activities performed on the existing streetcar lines.

In the underground sections, passengers will be sheltered from snow, as passengers will board and leave the LRT in covered stations.

Traffic and Other

In order to ensure fast and reliable light rail transit service for the community, will any traffic lanes be affected on Finch Avenue West?
Finch Avenue West currently has two through lanes of traffic in both directions for most of its length. The exception is between Jane Street and Weston Road where there are three through lanes in each direction. This capacity will generally be retained with the LRT. The standard Transit City street cross section proposes two traffic lanes in each direction plus the dedicated transit lanes. From Jane Street to the CP tracks east of Weston Road three lanes of traffic will be provided in each direction to handle traffic volumes to and from Highway 400.

How will TTC ensure fast and reliable Light Rail Transit service for the community?
Between signalized intersections, the LRT will travel in a transit right-of-way in the centre of the street separated from vehicular traffic to enhance LRT operating speed and reliability. For safety reasons, left turns across the transit right-of-way from unsignalized streets and driveways cannot be permitted. Motorists may instead turn right and then u-turn at the next signalized intersection. Left turns will be permitted at signalized intersections.

Will traffic entering or exiting Highway 400 be affected in any way by the LRT / how will the LRT easily cross highway 400?
The proposed design will be able to accommodate the dedicated LRT right-of-way and still preserve the existing three lanes in each direction from Jane Street to the CP tracks east of Weston Road. This is accomplished through modification of the highway ramps, local widening and other redesigns of the road alignment.

Can emergency vehicles use the dedicated right of way for the LRT?
TTC is consulting with Emergency Medical Services and Fire Services on how the LRT right-of-way can be designed to accommodate their vehicles.

Will there be noise or vibration from the LRT?
With current track design technology, there will be very little noise or vibration. In the past, the greatest problem with noise on light rail lines has been created at locations where the vehicle must operate through a loop to turn around. This creates wheel squeal. The new LRT vehicles are planned to be double-ended i.e. have an Operators cab at both ends so it can be operated in either direction. It will reverse direction at each end of the line, similar to the operation of a subway, and therefore will not need loops. TTC will design the trackbed to dampen vibration and ensure it is kept at an acceptable level.

Consultation

What key decisions have been made? What decisions are open for comment? (What does TTC want feedback on? e.g. technology, route, centre right of way etc).
Technically speaking, TTC and City staff make recommendations. Ultimately, City Council will make the final decision on these matters. However, from a staff perspective, the rationale for recommending LRT service in the Finch West corridor is being presented as the best way of achieving the TTC and City objectives in this corridor.

A number of key recommendations were made in 2007. LRT technology was recommended for all of the lines in the Transit City plan as a result of a detailed review of the projected transit demands. Assessments of a wide range of ridership, development and socio-economic factors confirmed the economic viability of the Transit City lines and provided a ranking for implementation. Finally for the Finch West LRT, a feasibility study confirmed the routing and identified technical challenges.

All public comments will be considered and evaluated. However, if no compelling arguments against the recommendations are presented, the LRT design will proceed. Well be discussing those issues with the public to assist us in developing final recommendations. Public input and additional analysis following the last round of open houses has helped TTC improve stop locations and design.

Funding and Timelines

When could construction start?
Construction is expected to start in 2011.

How will the project be funded?
On April 1, 2009 the Province of Ontario announced $1.2 billion funding for the Finch West LRT project.

Businesses

How long will construction take?
Estimating construction timelines for any single business or residence is difficult to forecast at this stage of the planning process as it is in direct correlation to the scope or amount of work being completed in close proximity to that home or business. The scope of work changes along the entire length of the corridor and is a function of utility relocation requirements, amount of streetscape improvements and roadway and sidewalk changes.

What will be done to minimize disruption during construction?
Experience on other large LRT and Subway projects in the City has suggested that the most prevalent issues of disruption to business are; reduced access to the area, loss of parking, noise and vibration. The City / TTC are committed to accelerating construction as much as possible in an effort to minimize construction related impacts to residents and businesses.

Detailed condition surveys of buildings thought to be vulnerable to ground borne vibration will be monitored pre and post construction. Contract documents assign strict limits for construction related noise to daytime hours only. All construction related activities are subject to building code provisions including the applicable noise by-laws.

How will City /TTC work with businesses on the project?
Experience shows that the biggest concern for business during large construction projects is anticipating the impacts stemming from construction. The City / TTC are often told that having quick access to construction related information, specifically schedule and timing information is critical to reducing or minimizing impacts. For this reason the City / TTC will form during construction a Construction Liaison Committee (CLC).

The CLC is made up of City / TTC and Contractors staff who meet bi-weekly on site. Business owners and residents directly affected by the current / future construction activity are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings where the day to day issues affecting their home / business are discussed and resolved. Issues such as business deliveries, local parking, and garbage pick-up are often topics of concern. Further, construction schedules and activity timing is also a prime topic. Besides the CLC the City and TTC will undertake, prior to each phase of construction, a comprehensive public awareness campaign. Keeping the area up to date and well informed in advance of construction can dramatically reduce the inevitable disruption brought about by large construction projects.

Construction

How will the LRT line be constructed?
Traditionally, the first step during construction of the surface sections is the relocation of utilities. Next, construction of the LRT would occur on one side of Finch Avenue while the other side would remain open to traffic. Once construction has finished, the work would switch to the other side of the street, and traffic would flow on the reconstructed side. When both sides have been completed, finishes would be applied to the shelters on the platforms at the stops, and lighting would be installed.

The TTC is currently exploring alternate construction methodologies that may shorten the overall duration of construction and decrease the impacts on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Next Steps

What are future plans for extending the LRT west to connect to Pearson International Airport or east to connect with the Sheppard East LRT?
Timelines for future expansion have not yet been determined. A possible future extension west to Pearson Airport, or other locations, is the subject of a separate study currently underway. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is also being considered for service to the airport. Preliminary planning work for an eastern extension will commence in 2010.

What happens after this round of Public Open Houses?
. The Finch West LRT is following Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Undertakings (2008). The environmental impact of this project has been assessed in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process.

Following the open houses and review of comments, there will be an opportunity to incorporate feedback. A formal public notice of study completion will then be issued. At that time, an Environmental Project Report will be made available for a 30 day review period on the project website. A hard copy of the report will also be posted at specified locations in the Notice of Completion.

This is the final round of public consultations for the Transit Project Assessment. The study is scheduled for completion in early 2010.