January 24, 1999

To:Toronto Cycling Committee

From:Mr. Jack Becker, Chair

Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee

Subject:Hydro/Rail Corridor Bike Trail Project - Priority Project List

Purpose:

The Working Group on the Hydro/Rail Corridor Bike Trail Project requested that the Toronto Cycling Committee develop a priority list of projects that should be addressed first. The Working Group also requested a list of quick opportunity projects that are low cost and short in length (1 to 2 kilometres), that would link current trails/cycling facilities or destinations, and create significant use in a short time period.

Background:

The Sub-Committee favoured that the first set of priority projects develops a loop to allow cycling around the City. This list of priorities was developed without current knowledge of potential threat and loss of any corridor to other interests in the next two to four years. Should information become available that any corridor may be lost, then that corridor would be placed in the priority list.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the Toronto Cycling Committee endorse the following priority list for the Hydro/Rail Corridor Bike Trail Project:

A.Top Priorities:

(1)Project No. 5/6, Finch North York Hydro Corridor/Finch Central Hydro Corridor from the Don Trail to York University.

(2) Project No. 10, Abandoned CP PS Lead/CN Weston Sub from Davenport Road to Strachan Avenue.

(3)Project No. 13/35, CN Newmarket Sub/CN Beltline Spur from Street Clair Avenue to the Downsview Lands and also connecting to the Belt Line.

(4)Project No. 14, CN Bala Sub/CN Leaside Branch from Edwards Garden to the Betty Sutherland Trail.

B.Next Priorities:

(1)Project No. 16/17, Gatineau Central Hydro Corridor/Gatineau Easy Hydro Corridor from Meadowvale Road and the Rouge to the existing Gatineau Trail and to Eglinton Avenue

(2)Project No. 27, Finch/Highway No. 400 Hydro Corridor from York University/Black Creek Trail to Summerlea Park and the North Humber River Trail.

C.Quick Link Opportunity Priority List:

(1)(a) Project No. 15, Central Don Valley section from Don Trail/Taylor Creek Park to the Gatineau Hydro Corridor at Eglinton Ave. (staff to confirm if abandonment of the CN Bala Sub is required for this section to be implemented ).

(1)(b) Project No. 41, Victoria Park Toronto Cycling Committee Station section from Taylor Creek Park to Warden Woods Park.

(2)Project No. 16, Gatineau Central Hydro Corridor section from Eglinton Subway Station up the hydro corridor adjacent to the CN Uxbridge Sub to the Gatineau Trail.

(3)Project No. 5/6, Finch North York Hydro Corridor section from Bathurst Street to Dufferin Street as a demonstration trail connecting to G. Ross Lord Park.

Contact:

Jack Becker

(416) 203-1711