City of Toronto: Front St at Union Station EA

This site was last updated February 9, 2012

Union Station - Afternoon rush-hour at Front Street and York Street
Afternoon rush-hour at Front Street and York Street

Update – February 9, 2012
The Changes to Front Street at Union Station study has been completed. The recommended design was presented at the November 3, 2011 Public Information Centre (PIC) #2. View a summary of the design in the PIC #2 flyer and full details in the PIC #2 panels.

In response to comments submitted during public consultation we have published a thorough and Updated Questions and Answers document.

The City of Toronto’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) will be considering the outcome of this study at its February 15, 2012 meeting, item PW12.5. Members of the public are welcome to attend the PWIC meeting and address the Committee by making a deputation or submitting written comments (see City web page: Have Your Say!

Background

GO Transit service expansion will result in an estimated doubling of current ridership.

Afternoon rush-hour at Front Street and Bay Street
Morning rush-hour at Front Street and Bay Street

Union Station is the busiest transportation hub in Canada. Every year, Union Station handles more passengers than Pearson International Airport, Canada's busiest airport. Every business day, Union Station serves more than 165,000 GO Transit passengers, along with thousands of TTC and VIA Rail customers. Over the next 10-15 years, pedestrian activity at Union Station is expected to double as a result of GO Transit expansion. Proposed frequent train service to Pearson Airport and improved TTC services will also contribute to increasing the number of passengers who will be entering and exiting Union Station.

Plans have been approved for improving Union Station and its surrounding area.
The Union Station Master Plan (2004), District Plan (2006) and Revitalization Recommended Approach (2007) address the needs for improving the flow of passengers, restoring historical elements, ensuring a safe, clean and beautiful environment, and providing vibrant retail opportunities.

Street changes are only one part of the plan.
The re-configuring of Front Street is only one of many major projects planned for improving the pedestrian environment around Union Station. Other changes include a new Northwest PATH pedestrian tunnel link, the TTC subway platform expansion, as well as a recently created southern entrance from Union Square by the Air Canada Centre.

Project Goals

Safe and efficient pedestrian travel is the top priority.
Monrning rush-hour at Front Street and Bay Street
Mid-block crossing on Front Street

On Front Street between Bay Street and York Street pedestrians outnumber vehicles 10 to 1 during the peak periods. Following directions from the Union Station District Plan, the City Official Plan and the Pedestrian Charter, the City is considering the creation of a “Pedestrian Priority Zone” that ensures safe, direct, comfortable, attractive and convenient walking access to and from Union Station across Front Street. The needs of cars, taxis, bikes and other private vehicles will be addressed in a sensible approach that follows the primary needs of pedestrians.

Designs will balance historical significance with modern needs and opportunities.
The redesign of Front Street will follow established Heritage Precinct Guidelines to preserve the historical importance of the area while allowing for creative and contemporary design solutions. The result will be an expanded and improved civic space that satisfies the functional needs of this transportation hub, while featuring historical architecture and blending with the existing and on going streetscape improvements in the surrounding district.

Study Area

The primary focus of the study is the portion of Front Street from Bay Street to York Street. For the purpose of undertaking a traffic analysis a secondary study area has been created, which is bounded by Richmond Street to the north, Lake Shore Boulevard to the south, Spadina Avenue to the west, and Church Street to the east.

View Front Street Re-configuration from Bay Street to York Street Environmental Assessment - Study Area in a larger map

Public Consultation

Plans have not been finalized. We are seeking your input. The City will be consulting with many stakeholders and will seek public input on options at key stages.

Public Information Centre #1
Our first Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on July 5, 2010 in Union Station.

Download a copy the information materials that were provided (PDF):
You'll need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view PDF files.

Public Information Centre #2
The City hosted its second and final public consultation event on November 3, 2011. The Preliminary Preferred Design for Front Street at Union Station was on display and participants were invited to review and discuss with the project team.

Download a copy of the information materials that were provided (PDF):

You can learn more about this project and share your insights and opinions through other means:

Contact the project team using the information below:

Jason Diceman
Senior Public Consultation Coordinator
City of Toronto Metro Hall, 19th Floor
55 John Street
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
Tel: 416-338-2848
Fax: 416-392-2974
TTY: 416-397-0831
Email: FrontStUnion@toronto.ca

All submissions will be documented, reviewed by the project team and included in the project record. We regret that we can not directly respond to every individual message received. A summary of comments and project team responses will be published on this web page following each stage of public consultation.

Environmental Assessment Process

This study is being carried out as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Schedule C process. Formally, this study is called the “Front Street Reconfiguration from Bay Street to York Street Class EA”.

The Class EA process includes identifying the problem/opportunity to be addressed, and developing and evaluating a reasonable range of alternative solutions. The schedule ‘C’ Class EA process will provide members of the public and interest groups with opportunities for input at key stages of the study.

Background

Project Goals

Study Area

Public Consultation

Environmental Assessment Process

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