Category Archives for "Highways and Bridges"

Gardiner East Transparency – Advocacy Update

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

Transport Action Ontario is a core member of a coalition of community groups called Gardiner East Transparency (GET), calling for the City of Toronto to be transparent and to reveal the full go-forward costs and foregone revenues – potentially exceeding $1 billion – of its June, 2015 decision to build a colossal elevated link between the Gardiner East Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.

A media release (see below) was issued on March 13, 2023 and was extremely well received, with over 10 radio, TV and print outlets picking up the story.

Unfortunately, despite many letters and deputations from residents, Toronto’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee chose on March 20 to not take further action on this matter. GET will continue its advocacy by keeping the issue visible during the upcoming Toronto mayoral campaign April 3 to June 26.

The Economic Case against Highway 413 – Toronto Star Op-Ed

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

Ontario’s Highway 413 project continues to be actively discussed in the media. A recent op-ed (February 18, 2023) in the Toronto Star by Tom Rand summarized the economic case against the Highway. It extensively utilized research and reports by Transport Action Ontario, namely:

• For the same capital cost of the Highway (about $8B), various rapid transit lines could be built which would have a capacity to carry about 4 times as many people per hour as the Highway
• Providing a toll subsidy for trucks on the 407ETR toll road would be much more cost-effective than building the Highway to move freight.

The author also reviewed the value of the lost agricultural and ecosystem services provided by the lands that would be paved over by the Highway.

The article can be viewed here

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.

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.

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.