Finch West Goods Movement Plan

Over the next four years, Metrolinx will be constructing a new light rail transit (LRT) line on Finch Avenue West from Highway 27 to Keele Street. While the LRT will benefit the community in many ways, it will also introduce new turning restrictions and other changes to local roads and freeways.  These changes will affect how businesses ship their goods and make freight deliveries.

The City is conducting the Finch West Goods Movement Transportation Master Plan to identify strategies that address the future shipping and freight delivery needs in the study area while considering the safety and efficiency of travel for commuters, transit users, cyclists and pedestrians. This Transportation Master Plan (TMP) will be completed to evaluate and select infrastructure improvements and outline an implementation strategy. The TMP will document phases 1 and 2 of the Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, which includes the opportunity for public input.

The study area is bounded by Dufferin Street and Islington Avenue (east-west), and Highways 407 and 401 (north-south). This includes the Emery Village and Duke Heights Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).

In late 2014, a Truck Technical Working Group was established as part of the Finch West LRT stakeholder engagement consisting of the Emery Village (BIA), the Canadian Fuels Association (CFA) and others. This group met on four occasions and arrived at a consensus to conduct an area-wide transportation study to examine freight-related solutions.

Additionally, a number of other initiatives have also identified potential improvements in the area. This includes the Downsview Area Transportation Master Plan (2016), the Downsview Area Secondary Plan (2010), the Emery Village Transportation Master Plan (2009), and the Emery Village Secondary Plan (2001), among others.

This Goods Movement TMP is being prepared in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The study will identify and prioritize short-term (“quick win” 0-3 years), medium-term (5+ years), and long-term (10+ years) improvements to the transportation network.

Types of Issues for Consideration (Examples)

• Congestion/delay
• Safety concerns
• Non-signalized intersections
• Facility access (“final 50 feet”)
• Highway access
• Street grid connectivity
• Roadway geometric issues (e.g. turning radius)
• Long wait times (queuing) at intersections
• Conflicts between different transportation modes
• Poor pavement quality
• Parking/loading areas

Types of Solutions for Consideration (Examples)

Short-Term

• Signal-timing
• Way-finding
• Pavement marking improvements
• Demand management (e.g. time-of-day)

 Medium-Term

• Turn lanes
• Curb radius / geometry adjustments

Long-Term

• New connections
• New roads
• New bridges
• Major intersection improvements
• Road widening
• Truck lanes