Georgetown South Project

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY PLANNING

Clean Train Student CoalitionApril 14, 2010

GTS Project: Overview

• The GO Georgetown line is at capacity• Investment to build the core infrastructure to

support increased inter-regional commuter rail• It will connect two of Canada’s busiest

transportation hubs – Union Station and Pearson International Airport

• One of the first The Big Move projects to be implemented

The Facts

• Getting people out of cars and onto transit is one of the best ways to deal with gridlock and air quality

• On opening day, 2015, there will be approximately 210 train trips in the GTS corridor

• This includes 10 extra GO Georgetown trains plus 140 airport rail two-car shuttles

• The Big Move identifies express rail and regional rail for transit expansion

Necessary Expansion

• GTHA Growth:– Every year, 150,000 new people settle in the

GTHA• Service region is growing by approximately

150,000 people annually• Necessary to accommodate future growth on

Georgetown, Guelph, Kitchener/Waterloo, Milton, Barrie, and Bolton lines

Regional and Local Benefits• Removal of level crossings (safety, traffic flow)• Supporting a strong and vibrant downtown

Toronto – local tax base• Improved GO Trains service and airport rail

shuttle stops at Bloor and Weston• Economic stimulus – over 10,000 jobs created• Connecting Canada’s two busiest transportation

hubs: Union Station and Pearson Airport

Community Engagement during the EA• Consultation

– 18 public open houses, over 2,000 attendees– Community design charrette– Virtual open house – available 24/7 online– Dozens of one-on-one community meetings

• Communications– Website and regular e-mail distribution– Updates for elected officials– Public notices in community and daily newspapers– Community mailings and leaflet drops

Examples of Consultation

Results of Consultation

• Weston stop for the airport rail shuttle• Lowering of the rail corridor and covered tunnel

in Weston• Lowering of the rail corridor and pedestrian- and

bike-friendly overpass in Strachan• John St. pedestrian bridge in Weston

Community Perception

• Consultation not extensive• Not all of the options were shared with everyone• Working groups are not representative of the

community• Metrolinx was selective of who they met with and

when

Lessons Learned

• Perception is reality• Hindsight is 20/20

– Opportunities for improvement– Need to think outside the regulatory box

• Each community is different and requires a tailored communications approach

• How we communicate is just as important as what we communicate

• Don’t be afraid to share information even if we don’t have all of the answers

What are we doing now

• We are committed to being responsive, transparent and credible

• Resources on the ground, in the community– 9 member community relations team– 2 community drop-in offices, Weston and

Strachan (opening day Summer 2010)– Community meetings and open houses

• Engagement plan to keep all stakeholders informed

Electrification Study - Consultation

• First electrification study for the entire GO rail network• Terms of Reference – developed by key stakeholders

– former community advisory committee members– Representatives: environment/health, community,

planning, business, Community• Stakeholder meetings in March, June, October• Consultation with community groups• Regular Website updates• Consultations with government and technical

stakeholders (rail and electrical supply and distribution)

Community Engagement Plan

• Regular meetings and updates for elected officials, community groups

• Community meetings/open houses• Face-to-face communications in the affected

communities• One point of contact for all community issues• Advance notice of all project work – design,

construction, impacts

What’s next

• We are in the process of finishing our engagement with elected officials

• To continue our meetings with community stakeholders• As the project continues, we will be communicating and

meeting with affected residents prior to final design and construction

• We will be updating our Website, www.gotransit.com/gts– Source of information and provide regular updates– 12-month outlooks for all of the ongoing construction

projects and sites