Category Archives for "Highways and Bridges"

Feb 06

Update Needed on Gardiner Expressway Elevated Link Project

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

With the huge 2023 budget challenges being faced by the City of Toronto, Transport Action Ontario (TAO) is joining dozens of other non-government organizations calling for an update on the costs and foregone revenues to build a new elevated link between the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, rather than linking with an urban boulevard at grade.

This matter was extensively debated in 2009-2015. See TAO postings on this website. Both city staff and a stakeholder advisory committee, which included TAO, supported the urban boulevard approach, due to significant cost and revenue advantages totaling about $1 billion. However, in a narrow vote, Toronto Council chose the elevated link.

A letter has been sent to Toronto Council outlining the reasons why the boulevard makes more sense than ever, and urging a staff report. It can be viewed below.

Jan 08

Transport Futures – Highway Planning Webinar Series (Feb. 9 to May 4, 2023)

By Transport Action Ontario | Events , Highways and Bridges

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) has long been concerned with construction of new provincial highways, such as Highway 413, so we’re thrilled to be co-sponsoring a Highway Planning Webinar Series that is being facilitated by our friends at Transport Futures!

Taking place online between February 9 and May 4, seven webinars will feature 45 American, Canadian, British and European experts who will compare and contrast the latest highway research, case studies and best practices through presentations and interactive panel discussions. Based on this wealth of information, international delegates representing NGOs, government, business and academia will decide whether it is best to expand, optimize and/or replace limited access highways in the short and long term. 

Be sure to register early to take advantage of early bird rates for the first 3-hour webinar which will focus on “Expanding Highways: Opportunities and challenges in a COVID-altered world”. As a TAO/ TAC member or newsletter subscriber, you receive a special 10% discount using code TAOTC5.  Other discounts ranging from 15% to 25% are also available if you purchase 3 to 7 webinars in one transaction (no code necessary). Contact Martin Collier at info@transportfutures.ca if you have any questions.

We look forward to “virtually” seeing you at Transport Futures during the coming months and getting your feedback on how we can continue advocating for public transport over highways!

Photograph: 403/407 interchange by Ken Lund.

Oct 26

Comments on Draft Transportation Plan for Eastern Ontario

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News , Urban Transit

In April, 2022, Ontario released the last of its regional transportation plans – this one for Eastern Ontario. Transport Action Ontario (TAO) has reviewed this plan. In general, we find it to be long on ideas but short on specific actions. The highway-centric nature of most of the actions is a concern. TAO feels that more emphasis on public transit, intercommunity public transportation and freight rail is needed.

Our comments can be viewed below.

May 04

Ontario’s Budget 2022 – Transportation Highlights

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News , Northern Ontario , Southwestern Ontario , Urban Transit

The Ford government introduced its 2022 Budget on April 28.  As the Ontario legislature was dissolved one week later due to the upcoming provincial election, the budget was not debated or passed.  However, it does represent the election platform of the Ford government, and presumably will be re-introduced if the Progressive Conservatives win the election.

In the transportation area, the Budget has few surprises and largely represents a restatement of previous commitments.  Key items include:

  • Highways, highways, highways.  Although more funds are to be expended to public transit, it is clear that this government’s top priority is highways.  A total of $25.1B over 10 years is slated for “planning and/or construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects” across the province, including the construction of new Highway 413, new Bradford Bypass and widening of numerous other highways across Ontario.  No cost breakdown is given for these projects.   (Independent experts have estimated a construction cost of $8 – 10B for Highway 413).
  • Other driver benefits.  These include removal of tolls on Highways 412 and 418, removal of license fees, 5.7c/l reduction in gas tax from July – December, 2022, and changes in auto insurance rules to give consumers more choice and reduce fraud.
  • $61B to public transit over 10 years.  The cited projects are well known and have been costed out.  The key committed projects are GO Expansion (see posting on this website January 13, 2022 for details) and the 4 GTA subway projects (Ontario Line, Yonge North, Scarborough and Eglinton West).  All these projects are moving forward.
  • GO Milton improvements not funded.  Despite a federal commitment of up to $500M (50%), the Budget was silent on provincial matching funding to convert this busy line to all-day two-way service.
  • Transit Oriented Communities (TOC).  Agreements have been signed to build TOCs at 7 stations on the Ontario Line and the Yonge North Subway Extension to provide new funding sources for the province for construction.
  • New GTA Projects.  Continued planning on Sheppard East subway extension and on Eglinton Crosstown West extension to Pearson Airport.
  • Discussion of three extension projects for GO Transit:
    • Bowmanville
    • London, where the province is “proceeding with planning work and investment for track improvements to support implementation of faster and more frequent service” (no details).
    • Niagara, where the province “continues to work with rail partners” (no details).
  • Northeastern Passenger Rail.  $75M to support corridor, fleet and station upgrades for service between Toronto and Timmins, with a rail connection to Cochrane.  Although this is a good start, we note that this is insufficient to cover the full capital cost of $150M – $230M, as cited in the Updated Initial Business Case.
  • Shortline railways absent. There was no discussion in the Budget on preserving shortline railways, such as the Barrie-Collingwood or Orangeville-Brampton lines.
  • Coach Refurbishing.  $280M for funding to refurbish 150 GO Transit bi-level coaches in Thunder Bay and North Bay. 
  • References to the GGH Transportation Plan with 100+ actions and to the Northern Task Force that will “inform the government of the most important local needs”.

As readers know, Transport Action Ontario is deeply involved in most of these projects and will continue to closely monitor, support or oppose them, regardless of who wins the upcoming election.

Apr 26

Transport Action Ontario – Annual General Meeting April, 2022 – Summary of Public Portion

By Transport Action Ontario | Events , Highways and Bridges , Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News , Northern Ontario , Southwestern Ontario , Urban Transit

Transport Action Ontario’s (TAO) annual general meeting, held April 23, 2022, included a portion open to the public. This featured a guest presentation by Elizabeth May M.P., former leader of the Green Party of Canada. This was followed by a brief report by Peter Miasek, President, summarizing the organization’s advocacy efforts over the past year.

Ms. May discussed the importance of ground transportation (intercity rail and bus) to Canada, her Private Members Bill C-236 (“VIA Rail Canada Act”), VIA’s High Frequency Rail proposal and her efforts t for, a multi-party rail caucus in Parliament.

Mr. Miasek’s presentation summarized advocacy activities in the following areas:

  • Northern and Eastern Ontario Rail
  • Southwestern Ontario Passenger Rail and Intercommunity Bus
  • Greater Golden Horseshoe Public Transportation
  • Highway 413
  • Eastern Ontario Transit and Rail
  • High Frequency Rail
  • Other Federal Interfaces including VIA Rail

A copy of the presentation can be viewed below.