July 13 , 1998
To the Chair and Members of the Urban Environment and Development Committee,
City of Toronto
RE: Agenda item #4, F.G. Gardiner Expressway East Dismantling Project
As the Councillors representing the residents of Ward 26, we ask that the Chair and Members
of the Urban Environment and Development Committee support and recommend to Council
the "Alternative Plan" for the dismantling of the F.G. Gardiner Expressway East and
renovation of Lake Shore Blvd East..
After reviewing the "Alternative Plan" with members of our community, we have concluded
that this plan will better accommodate the transportation needs of our constituents while at the
same time improving accessibility to the harbour lands. It will also achieve the very desirable
objective of refurbishing the street scape and the environment along the Lake Shore corridor
in this area. We can support a compromise "Alternative Plan" for the following reasons:
(a)the Carlaw Street "fly-over" removes a significant impediment (controlled intersection at
Carlaw) to the efficient flow of commuter traffic from East Toronto into the City's core;
(b)the "Alternative Plan" eliminates the three railway lines crossings the westbound lanes of
Lake Shore Blvd. East contained within staff's plan. The "Alternative Plan" will ensure that
train movements to and from the port lands do not interfere with the movement of traffic
along the Lake Shore E./Gardiner transportation corridor;
(c)Transportation's staff do not account for the actual number of trains currently crossing
Lake Shore Blvd. East and also fail to anticipate increases in future train crossings. The
cessation of sewage sludge incineration at The Main Treatment Plant, currently before
Council, will result in the bio-remediated sludge being moved by train car outside the city
for agricultural and soil remediation purposes. This will significantly increase train
movements;
(d)significant street, pedestrian and bicycle path improvements can still be made within the
parameters of the "Alternative Plan";
(e)the cost of the "Alternative Plan" is not signifcantly greater than staff's plan, despite the
significant improvements to traffic flow along it offers.
We also recommend that staff be requested to meet with the area studio and other business
property owners to seek their input on the "Alternative Plan".
In conclusion, we firmly believe that the "Alternative Plan" is a better and more balanced plan
for the improvement of the East Gardiner/Lake Shore Blvd. E. transportation corridor. It
answers many of the concerns, expressed by the people of our community, inherent in staff's
recommended plan. The "Alternative Plan" deserves your Committee's and Council's
endorsement.
Sandra BussinTom Jakobek
City Councillor East Toronto,City Councillor East Toronto,
Ward 26Ward 26
