An overview of the Finch West LRT project.

1. FINCH WEST
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT):
Public Open House
St. Wilfrid Catholic School
1685 Finch Avenue West
June 24, 2015

2. Metrolinx was created in 2006 by the Province of Ontario as the
first Regional Transportation Agency for the Greater Toronto
and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
We plan, build and operate long-term sustainable transportation
focussed on delivering faster, more frequent and more convenient
transit across the region.

3. A Region Under Pressure
Toronto and its surrounding communities “suffer from traffic congestion problems, poorly
integrated transit services and relatively underdeveloped transport infrastructure.” OECD
Territorial Review, 2010
• Average commute time per
person, per day is 82
minutes.
• Projected to increase to 109
minutes in the next 25 years.
• Costs $6 billion in travel
costs and lost productivity
every year.
• By 2031, this number could
increase to $15 billion.
• Over 500,000 tonnes of
annual GHG emissions is
due to traffic
congestion.

4. The Solution: Build a World-Class
Regional Network
Our Regional Transportation Plan
goal is to build over 1,200 km
of rapid transit so that over
80 per cent of residents
in the region will live within
two km of rapid transit

5. Toronto Transit Projects

6. Finch West LRT: Background
• Finch West LRT: Represents $1B (2010$) of the $8.4B (2010$)
investment by the Government of Ontario to expand and improve transit
in Toronto.
• 2010: City of Toronto completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for
the replacement of bus service on Finch Avenue from Finch Station at
Yonge Street on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway line to Highway
27.
• 2012: Metrolinx, the City of Toronto and the TTC signed a Master
Agreement that includes the Finch West LRT project.
• 2015: Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca announced that Finch
West LRT (from Keele Station to Highway 27) is moving forward.
• Metrolinx is responsible for the project delivery, and TTC (under contract
with Metrolinx) will operate the service.

7. RFQ Issued
RFQ Closed
RFP Issued
RFP Closed
Financial Close
Early Works
Design and
Construction
Timeline
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

8. Finch Avenue: Current Situation
• The 36 Finch West is top 3
busiest bus routes in Toronto
with about 46,000 passengers
per weekday.
• Frequent bus service operating in mixed traffic and so close together
result in “bunching.”
• Forecasted demands (to 2031) would require 30 buses per hour (one
18m long “articulated” bus every 2 minutes).

9. Proposed Alignment

10. • 11 kilometres of light rail transit in a neighbourhood that needs it
the most: along Finch Avenue from Finch West subway station (at
Keele Street) to Humber College.
• Provides rapid transit to 46,000 passengers per weekday.
• 18 at-grade stops and 1 underground station along the alignment.
• Provides rapid transit connection at Finch West Station (of the new
Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension).
Project Details

11. • LRT service supports existing and future ridership demands.
• The projected ridership for the Finch corridor is 2,250
passengers per hour in the peak direction by 2031; the capacity
of the Finch LRT is up to 6,300 passengers per hour per
direction.
Why LRT?
Ridership
Buses
Light Rail Transit
0 2,000 4,000 6,000
Finch Ridership: 2,250

12. • Priority signaling at intersections will make the service more reliable.
• LRT cars can be added or removed easily, thus providing flexibility
to accommodate ridership demands.
• The LRT will provide a service that is faster than buses in mixed
traffic today.
• Designated bicycle lanes, which currently do not exist along Finch,
will be provided along the entire length of the LRT corridor.
• The 36m right-of-way along the majority of Finch Avenue will be
able to accommodate the addition of the LRT trackway.
Why LRT?

13. High Capacity
Each LRV car carries 157 riders per trip. Finch West LRT service will launch up
to two cars, at 314 riders per trip, compared to 48 riders per bus trip today.
157
48

14. Reliable. Convenient. Comfortable.
• Dedicated transit line for
reliable service.
• Predictable travel times.
• Traffic signal coordination.
• Automated fare vending
machines.
• Next vehicle arrival screens.

15. Proven Technology
LRTs are used around the world, including cities with variable temperatures
such as Edmonton, Calgary and Minneapolis, and international cities such as
Paris and Stockholm.

16. Accessible. Multiple Doors. PRESTO.
• Multiple entrances and low floors to ensure fast and accessible boarding.
• The system will use PRESTO proof-of-payment system.

17. Made-in-Ontario Technology
• 4 doors per car (2 single, 2 double).
• Up to 2 cars per consist.
• High-tech, air conditioned vehicles made in Thunder Bay.
• LRT service will be operated by TTC and fully integrated into the
existing Toronto transit system.

18. Elements addressed with the Emery
Village BIA and Fuel Trucks Association
• Intersection configuration for trucks and traffic operations.
• CP bridge lane restriction.
• Highway 400 ramp reconfiguration.
• Bicycle path along corridor.
• Proposed corridor plan.

19. Typical Surface Alignment
• The LRT will run on dedicated lanes in the middle of the roadway.
• Finch Avenue will be widened to maintain existing lanes of traffic.
• See bike lane buffer on following board.

20. Typical Surface Alignment
A 0.65m bike lane buffer to be introduced (being discussed with the City).

21. Typical Alignment: Intersection
See cycle track on following board.

22. Typical Alignment: Intersection
A cycle track at sidewalk level to be introduced (being discussed with
the City).
Utilitypoles/texturedbuffer

23. 2015-06-24
Recommended Multi-Use Path

24. U-turns / Left turn
on green arrow only
LRT in Dedicated
guideway
3.3 m lane widths
LRT platforms at
crosswalks
Intersection Configuration

25. Typical Left Turn Arrangement
• Mid-block exits guided to traffic signals for left turns.

26. Consideration of Potential Impacts
• Metrolinx will build on the approved Environmental Assessment for
the Finch West LRT.
• In the design process, Metrolinx will address potential impacts to
the local community.
• Key element that is being addressed:
• Streetscape along Finch Avenue.

27. • Solution is separate multi-use path (one only).
• Preserves 3 lanes + LRT between Weston Road and Arrow Road.
• Capital cost premium over environmental project report (EPR) is
approximately $3 million (plus properties, utilities, etc.).
CP Structure Lane Recommendation

28. Project Status
• The Finch West LRT represents a $1B (2010$) investment in
expanded and improved transit in the City of Toronto.
• The project is fully funded and approved.
• EA completed in 2010.
• Construction: 2017 – 2021.
• In-service: End of 2021.

29. Contact Us
www.metrolinx.com/finchwest
finchwest@metrolinx.com