Text Summary - Functional Design Presentation At-Grade Section: Don Mills to Ionview
Crosstown Overview
The Crosstown is a $5.3 billion project funded by the Province of Ontario. It includes a 19 kilometre east-west Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Kennedy to Mt. Dennis, including a tunnelled central section, as well as new transit connections to the Yonge, University-Spadina Subway, Scarborough RT, GO Stouffville line and a future connection to the GO Kitchener line. The Crosstown will have up to 26 stations.
Where are we in the process?
- The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) launch shaft is approaching completion
- Soil testing is currently underway from Don Mills Road to Weston Road
- The west tunnel contract will be awarded this summer
- Conceptual design and requirements identification are underway
- Utility relocation at station locations beginning with Keele Street in winter 2013
- Construction of the TBM launch and extraction shafts at Eglinton West station
- TBMs arriving on site this spring
- Tendering of project
What’s next?
Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP)
The public-private partnership model has been underway in Canada for 20 years and has been used in 165 projects, including the Canada Line rapid transit project (Vancouver), Autoroute 25 in Montreal and the Trans-Canada highway in Atlantic Canada. In Ontario, AFP has been used for the Pan AM games athletes’ village, Ottawa Light Rail Transit, Highway 407 East Phase 1 and the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway (formerly the Windsor-Essex Parkway).
Owner’s Role Changes with AFP
Advantages of AFP include:
- Increased capacity to bring projects to market
- Transfer of risk
- Appropriate risks transferred to private sector to ensure “on time, on budget” delivery and offer value for money
- Design, construction, cost escalation, schedule delays, operations, maintenance, life cycle and financial risk
- Cost certainty
- Optimal cost combination: combines capital, maintenance and life cycle costs
- Integration of design and construction
Metrolinx's Roles and Responsibilities include
Design
- Overall scope (inclusion of maintenance, operations, etc.)
- Project-specific output specifications (in collaboration with consultant team)
- Real estate acquisition (in collaboration with the City of Toronto)
Build
- Oversee construction phase
- Quality assurance
Finance
- Manage project budget
- With Infrastructure Ontario, run a competitive procurement process; select the winning contractor
Maintain
- Testing & commissioning (in collaboration with the Toronto Transit Commission)
- Safety certification and project acceptance
- TTC to Operate
- Integration with existing TTC system
Light Rail Vehicles vs. Buses
Surface Light Rail Transit
Metrolinx LRV
The light rail vehicles (LRVs) will include four doors per car (two single and two double) and have up to three cars per consist (combination of individual cars).
Light Rail Vehicles
New LRVs will feature:
- 100% low floors, with level boarding at stops
- Multiple-entries & Proof of Payment Fares for fast boarding
- Air conditioning
- Audio and visual passenger information
- Manufactured in Thunder Bay, Ontario
- High Passenger Capacity, 1 LRV =2.5 Buses
LRT Operations
- Dedicated transit line for reliable service
- Predictable travel times
- Traffic Signal Coordination
- Smooth & Comfortable
- Wider stop spacing for fast service
- Automated Fare Vending Machines
- Next Vehicle Arrival Screens
Don Mills to Ionview
The 5.2 kilometre stretch between Don Mills and Ionview will contain nine stops and three Traction Power Sub Stations.
Midblock
When the LRV is in operation, it will operate in a dedicated lane in the center of the road with two lanes of traffic and a bicycle lane on each side and in each direction.
Parallel Side Platforms
At some locations LRT stops will be located parallel to each other on one side of the intersection. This is called parallel side platforms.
Far Side Platform
At some locations LRT stops will be on opposite sides of the intersection. This is known as a far side platform.
Stop Configuration – Near Side
A stop configuration – near side is when the LRT stop is located before the intersection.
Ferrand Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Ferrand stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Wynford Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Wynford stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Stop configuration view: The above images display the Wynford Stop as proposed in both the functional Design and as proposed in the environmental assessment.
Bermondsey Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Bermondsey stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Stop configuration view: The above images display the Bermondsey Stop as proposed in both the functional Design and as proposed in the environmental assessment.
Victoria Park Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Victoria Park stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Stop configuration view: The above images display the Victoria Park Stop as proposed in both the functional Design and as proposed in the environmental assessment.
Pharmacy Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Pharmacy stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Stop configuration view: The above images display the Pharmacy Stop as proposed in both the functional Design and as proposed in the environmental assessment.
Lebovic Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Lebovic stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Warden Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Warden stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Storage Track
- At key sections along The Crosstown route additional tracks are needed to ensure vehicle storage and the ability to turn back
- Storage tracks are required in case of unplanned equipment failure
- Required approximately every 4km
- Exact location under review
Birchmount Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Birchmount stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Stop configuration view: The above images display the Birchmount Stop as proposed in both the functional Design and as proposed in the environmental assessment.
Ionview Stop
Context view: The above image illustrates a bird's eye view of the local land use surrounding the Ionview stop.
Pedestrian flow view
Mid-block exits guided to traffic signals for Left Turns
Traction Power Substation
- Traction power substations (TPSS) provide system power to light rail vehicles
- They are planned with an average spacing of 1.5 km along surface sections
- Integrated with adjacent landscape
- Final locations still to be determined for:
- Wynford
- Jonesville/Victoria Park
- Warden
Traffic Analysis
- Detailed traffic analysis in progress
- Locations where alternate traffic configurations are recommended:
- Swift/Credit Union
- Victoria Park
- Pharmacy
- Proposed solution in EA: Mid-block u-turn (Michigan left)
- Final decision upon completion of traffic analysis
Surface Stop Design Elements
Design elements will:
- Help riders recognize what stop they are at while visually distinguishing that they are riding the Crosstown line
- Complement the common elements and strategies of the underground station section of the line
Pylon Signs
Pylon Signs will:
- Provide immediate recognition of the Crosstown and create a lasting impression of stop locations
- Lighting should be used to increase their presence at night
Patterned Platforms
- The platform provides an opportunity to incorporate a distinctive pattern treatment
- Slight variation from stop to stop will be considered
- Extension of the pattern into the paving may also be included
Integrated Design
Design elements may be integrated into the stops through treatments such as:
- Metalwork at guardrails and leaning rails
- Design treatments on shelter glass
Lighting
- Consistent and high quality lighting can enhance stop design.
- Accenting the platform at night can enhance a feeling of safety and comfort.