The document outlines the Relief Line Project Assessment in Toronto aimed at alleviating congestion on the Yonge subway line and overall transit network. It summarizes the project's background, findings from previous studies, and planned consultations with stakeholders to gather input on station locations, route alignments, and project impacts. The assessment will progress through multiple phases culminating in a final project report and a provincial transit project assessment process.

1. 1
June 2014
Relief Line Project Assessment

2. 2
Today’s Session • Overview of the Relief Line Project
Assessment
• Discussion Questions
• Q&A
Future
Sessions
• Consult / seek input on various study
tasks:
• Development of evaluation criteria
• Station location review
• Route alignment review
Agenda

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Relationship between the Metrolinx and City/TTC studies
Shared Goal
Relieve crowding
on the Yonge
Subway Line and
on the overall
transit network
Regional Objectives
Yonge Relief Network
Study
Considering short,
medium and long-term
solutions:
• Making better use of
what we have
• New infrastructure
• Innovative policies
Local Objectives
Relief Line Project
Assessment
Considering alternative
designs for a new rapid
transit line:
• Station locations
• Route alignment
• Maximize benefit on
local neighbourhoods
• Improve access into
Downtown Toronto

4. 4
How do the pieces fit together?
‹#›

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Background

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How Did We Get Here?
2008 -
Metrolinx Big
Move includes
Relief Line in
25-year plan.
2009 –
Toronto City
Council
requests TTC
commence
studies for the
Relief Line.
2012 –
Results of TTC
study of
downtown
rapid transit
confirm
requirement
for Relief Line.
2012 -
Metrolinx includes
Relief Line in its
“Next Wave” of
projects with a
recommendation
for further study.
2013 –
Metrolinx
launches YRNS
to identify
crowding relief
solutions from
a regional
network
perspective.
City/TTC
launches the
Relief Line
Project
Assessment.
2013 -
City of Toronto
Official Plan
review.
Preliminary
work suggests
that the Relief
Line could be a
priority.

7. 7
Crowding and Congestion on the Rapid Transit Network
• Capacity improvements
underway for Line 1 – Yonge-
University-Spadina Line
– New Toronto Rocket Trains:
+10%
– Automatic Train Control:
+25%
– Spadina Subway Extension
(diverted demand): about
5-10%
• Bloor-Yonge station is currently
over design capacity and will
continue to be a constraint
• The transfer from the Bloor
Line to the Yonge Line is
currently constrained and will
continue to deteriorate

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Findings from the Downtown
Rapid Transit Expansion Study
• Work to date has determined a new high capacity
rapid transit line, fully separated from traffic, could:
– Provide increased transit capacity to relieve
pressure on the Yonge Subway line
– Provide relief to the Bloor-Yonge Interchange
Station
– Provide flexibility for the TTC subway system
– Improve transit service to the downtown
shoulder areas and relief to crowding on the
streetcar network

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Why are we planning the Downtown to Danforth Section first?
• This initial phase would provide the greatest and most immediate benefit to
relieving overcrowding on the Yonge Subway Line.
• The Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study findings note that this section of a
new Relief Line could:
– Reduce southbound transfers at Bloor-Yonge Station by approximately 30%
– Reduce Yonge Subway line demand by 12%
– Have a peak hour demand of 11,700 transit riders (based on 2031 projections)

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Relief Line Study Area

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Proposed Study Process

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Audiences
Local City-wide Regional
Neighbourhoods within the
Relief Line study area
City of Toronto, outside of
study area
Outside the City of Toronto
• Consider affects on local
residents and businesses
• Consider how the Relief
Line may affect local
mobility and land use
• Consider constructability
and cost
• Maximize benefit and
minimize impacts on local
neighbourhoods
• Ensure the Relief Line will
benefit the entire city
• Consider how the Relief Line
will improve access into
Downtown Toronto
• Consider the positive affects
of the Relief Line on the TTC
network
• Ensure the Relief Line will
benefit the broader region
• Consider how the Relief Line
could provide an attractive
transit alternative for trips
• Consider how the Relief Line
may affect the transit
network outside of the city
and broader economic
development patterns at a
regional scale
We anticipate a range of perspectives and interests:

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Study Process (Terms of Reference)

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Opportunities for Input
• Phase 1B
– Provide name suggestions for the Relief Line
– Existing and future conditions analysis
– Provide feedback on findings of previous studies
• Phase 2
– Provide information about travel patterns
– Identify station and route options
– Help to create evaluation criteria for the proposed station locations and
alignments
• Phase 3
– Provide feedback on short-listed options
• Phase 4
– Qualitative analysis of options
– Help to create the strategy for mitigating any potential negative impacts
– Provide feedback on recommendations

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Highlights of feedback on the study process, and scope:
• Include an urban planning visioning process in the project
• Invite international experts to assist with the project and
present at a public symposia.
• Continue collaboration with Metrolinx, and other
agencies/initiatives
• Liaise on opportunities of mutual benefit with Toronto Hydro
and other utilities
• Incorporate sustainable transportation in decision-making
• Include a cost-benefit analysis for each of the shortlisted
alignments
• Include areas north and west for planning context when
considering routing options
• Examine comparable projects in other countries
• Proceed with the Relief Line naming contest as soon as possible

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Highlights of feedback on the consultation:
• Spread project meetings out to a broader City geography
• Use social media tools (Reddit or Twitter) with a dedicated hashtag
• Translate all materials and consultation documents into other
languages
• Develop guidelines and a guide for messaging
• Explore online mapping and interactive tools
• Share information, data on the website
• Develop a “living” FAQ, to submit questions & get answers via social
media
• Continue the use of crowdsourcing tools, such as the wiki
• Hold mini-fora in various parts of the Study Area using street-teams
• Have street teams and/or suggestion boxes/kiosks on transit to allow
non-internet users to contribute
• Target future stakeholder meetings by sector
• Make sure the public understands the consultation process.

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How we will consult
Feedback Categories Feedback Outcomes
Information City/TTC staff will share key information and actions during
each phase of the project through the project website,
email list, social media and print material.
Online Consultation City/TTC staff will solicit comments and feedback on key
decisions through the website to engage a large number of
people across the region.
Live Events City/TTC staff will host open houses, public meetings and
workshops at key points in the study. Participants will learn
about the project and provide their input.
Community Outreach City/TTC staff will pro-actively educate and solicit feedback
from the community by engaging with existing resident,
business and interest groups.
Stakeholder Advisory
Group
City/TTC staff will engage community leaders, advocates
and experts in the decision-making process throughout the
study via a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG).

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Next Steps / Process
Overview

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Next Steps
1. Finalized Terms of Reference and Public Consultation Plan
(Phase 1A) will be presented to Council for approval in June.
2. If Council approval is given the project team will proceed
with Phases 1B-4 for the Relief Line Project Assessment.
3. At the end of Phase 4 a draft project report will be submitted
to Council and the TTC Board.
4. The report will seek Council and TTC Board approval to
proceed to final project review.
5. The final project review is known as the Transit Project
Assessment Process (TPAP),where the final project report is
submitted to the Ministry of Environment.

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Rapid Transit Planning Process
Feasibility Review
ASSESS
DESIGN
FINAL PROJECT
REVIEW
• The Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study (DRTES) completed in the fall 2012
• The study recommended that the City and TTC proceed with evaluating and detailing Relief Line
alignments, technology, station locations and level of service
• City and TTC will consult on the proposed Terms of Reference and Consultation Plan
• Report to Council
• The Relief Line Project Assessment will define the recommended station locations, route alignment
and technology
• Report to Council and TTC Board
• Council and TTC board approves the project plan and draft Environmental Project Report (EPR)
• Undertake Provincial Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) to finalize EPR (6 Months)
• Detailed design and engineering, construction plans and project delivery strategy (2-3 Years)
SET THE STAGE
CONSTRUCT
OPERATIONS
• Construction (8-10 Years)
• The Relief Line opens and goes into service
Note: Design, Construct, and Operations are dependent on full project funding
We are here

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Stay Involved
• Visit reliefline.ca to learn more
• Join the project mailing list
• Email us at reliefline@toronto.ca
• Call us at 416.338.1065