I was very surprised to read the article in the Toronto Star on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, in which the TTC raises objections to our plans for the East Bayfront neighbourhood.  The City of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto are working with community residents to institute a long-term vision for the East Bayfront, creating a new mixed use community.

The TTC is attempting to raise objections to an access point at Bonnycastle, with the rationale that this will add 3.1 seconds in travel time westbound and 2.7 seconds eastbound.

Sacrificing access and safety for automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists for the sake of a few seconds is unacceptable.

We have had these discussions with the TTC, and there was overwhelming agreement that this access point and signalization were necessary.  In fact, many of the plans for intersections and crossings that have evolved will have no impact on streetcar movements at all.

I was disappointed that the Toronto Star neglected to give the entire context to these discussions and to present the other side of the issue.  To redress this oversight, I sent the following letter to the Toronto Star.

The article, “Light glut slows new lakeside line” (August 18, 2010), tells only a small part of the story about our waterfront.  Just as the stretch of Queens Quay West is already a vibrant community, we are working towards creating a mixed residential/commercial neighbourhood for the East Bayfront.  Currently, the Corus building is in full operation and Canada’s Sugar Beach is drawing people from surrounding neighbourhoods.  In the coming years, the George Brown campus will be teeming with over 3,500 students and new condominiums and rental units will be the home for well over 10,000 residents.  Along with the new offices, businesses, and entertainment facilities, this will be a bustling, busy neighbourhood.

Our plans for the waterfront include a balance for all modes of transportation.  Streetcars will have dedicated lanes on the south side of Queens Quay, making travel easier for transit and automobiles.  The Martin Goodman Trail will be enhanced for cyclists while wide sidewalks and promenades will serve pedestrians.  Proper traffic signalization along the route is vital to ensure the flow and safety for all users.

Queens Quay is not intended to be a rapid transit corridor, only serving riders at each end of the line.  I would hope that the TTC intends to have stops along the route to pick up and drop off passengers, which will have a greater impact on the schedule of the line than a stop light.  The TTC’s operations through the community cannot be considered as something separate and removed from the community.  Rather, the TTC needs to work with the community and for the community.

Pam McConnell
City Councillor, Ward 28

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For more information about our plans for the East Bayfront, please visit  www.waterfrontoronto.ca