Finch West LRT

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Finch West
Overview
Type Light rail
System Toronto rapid transit
Status Planned
Locale Toronto, Ontario
Termini Finch West
Humber College
Stations 19
Operation
Opened 2021 [2]
Owner Metrolinx
Operator(s) Toronto Transit Commission
Depot(s) TBD - preferred site at York Gate Blvd and Norfinch Dr site[1]
Rolling stock Flexity Freedom
Technical
Line length 11 km (6.8 mi)[3]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map
Humber College
Westmore
Martin Grove
Albion
Stevenson
Kipling
Islington
Humber River
Pearldale
Duncanwoods
Milvan/Rumike
Weston
Canadian Pacific Railway
Signet/Arrow
Highway 400
Norfinch/Oakdale
Maintenance Facility
Jane
Driftwood
Tobermory
Sentinel
Finch West BSicon SUBWAY.svg TTC - Line 1 - Yonge-University-Spadina line.svg
This diagram:

The Finch West LRT[4] (formerly known as the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT) is a planned light rail line in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to be operated by the Toronto Transit Commission. It was part of the Transit City proposal announced on March 16, 2007.[5] The 11 km, 19-stop line is to extend from the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) to Humber College. The line is forecast to carry about 14.6 million rides a year or 40,000 a day by 2031. Construction is to start in 2016 for completion in 2021 at a cost of $1.2 billion.[3][6]

History

In March 2007, Toronto Mayor David Miller announced the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT as part of the Transit City plan, for the construction of several light-rail lines within the city.[7] In the Transit City plan, the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT line was to run for 17 km.[8] The western terminus of the line would be built in the Highway 27/Humber College area in Etobicoke. The line would run along Finch Avenue West eastward, terminating at Finch Station in North York.[7]

On April 1, 2009, the Ontario government announced that it would provide funding for construction of this line from Humber College to Don Mills station via Finch West and Finch stations, opening in 2013.[9][10]

In March 2010, the Ontario government budgeted less for building transit. Thus, it eliminated the proposed section of line between Finch West Station and Finch Station.[7]

In December 2010, Mayor Rob Ford cancelled the line after taking office.[11] However, in February 2012, city council voted to restore the Finch West LRT as part of a new transit plan restoring some of the elements of the Transit City proposal over Mayor Ford's objections.[12]

In April 2012, Metrolinx proposes to start construction on Finch West LRT in 2015, with the line opening in 2018.[7]

By November 2012, when the city and province signed an LRT master agreement, construction for the line was to begin in 2015 for completion in 2020.[3]

In April 2015, the province announced that construction of the line will start in 2016 for completion in 2021.[3]

In September, 2015, the Government of Ontario announced that its agency Infrastructure Ontario would search for a contractor to design, build, finance and maintain the Finch West LRT. The successful contractor would be chosen by 2017. Nonetheless, construction would start in 2016 with the relocation of utilities in the corridor.[13]

Route layout

The eastern terminus of the line is to be built at Finch West Station on the Line 1 Yonge–University in North York. After a short tunnel at Finch West station, the line will run on the surface along Finch Avenue West until it reaches its western terminus at Humber College. The line will be 11 km long.[3]

Potential extensions

The following extensions were under consideration prior to Rob Ford's cancellation of Transit City in December 2010.

Humber College to Pearson Airport

In 2009, the TTC was studying the feasibility of potential routings for a future westward extension of the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT to the vicinity of Woodbine Live! development and Pearson International Airport.[8][14]

Finch Station to Don Mills Station

In May 2009, Metrolinx proposed that the line be extended from Finch Station, along Finch Avenue East and Don Mills Road into Don Mills Station to connect with the Sheppard East LRT and create a seamless crosstown LRT in northern Toronto. The TTC said a planning study would have commenced in 2010.[8][15][16]

Proposed stops

The TTC has indicated that stops will be spaced on average 646 m apart. This list does not include potential extensions of the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT. The distances between these stops varies, but they are likely candidates, from west to east:

Phase I

Map

Phase II

In March 2010, the Ontario government eliminated the proposed section of line between Finch West Station and Finch Station because of budget constraints. This section of the line was part of the original Transit City proposal.[7]

Operations

  • The route of the Finch west LRT is currently served by the 36 Finch West bus, one of the top 3 busiest bus routes in Toronto with about 42,600 passengers per weekday. If buses continue to serve the route, then by 2031 forecasted demand would require 32-39 articulated buses or 45-55 standard buses.[17]
  • The Finch West LRT would replace 35 morning and 29 afternoon peak period buses from existing traffic lanes.[17]
  • The full capacity of a full standard bus is 48 passengers and of a single LRT car is 163 passengers. The Finch West LRT will be able to support 2-car trains.[17]
  • The Finch West LRT would carry about 42,600 passengers per weekday. By 2031, projected ridership would be 2,800 passengers per hour in the peak direction.[17]
  • The LRT will provide service 20% faster than buses in mixed traffic today.[17]
  • Each LRT vehicle will use the PRESTO proof-of-payment system.[17]

Carhouse and maintenance facility

Metrolinx plans for a maintenance and storage facility (MSF) for the route's cars on the northside of Finch Avenue West between York Gate Boulevard and Norfinch Drive. The site is an empty lot[18] next to the former Regina Pacis Catholic Secondary School (now Monsignor Fraser College Norfinch Campus).

The MSF will service up to 75 vehicles for the Finch West LRT line as well as allow for servicing a future Jane LRT line.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/finch_west_ea/appendix_m_part_2.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/finch-west-lrt-moving-ahead-construction-begins-2016-1.3050067
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/toronto_lrt.aspx
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Mertrolinx Board Report April 25, 2012
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ GTA transit gets $9B jump-start
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Mayor Rob Ford: “Transit City is over” Toronto Life December 1, 2010
  12. ↑ Council opts for light-rail lines over Ford's lone subway track, The Globe and Mail February 8, 2012
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/finch_west.aspx
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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