Item - 2012.PW12.5

Union Station, the City's most important transportation hub and one of the busiest in Canada, is undergoing a major revitalization.  In addition, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is currently constructing a second platform at Union Station which requires the reconstruction of Front Street West, between Bay and York Streets.  These two concurrent initiatives provide a tremendous opportunity to cost-effectively reconfigure this section of Front Street in order to improve the public realm, enhance the pedestrian environment and safety, complement the heritage features of this important city building, and create an exciting, attractive and functional "front door" to Union Station not only for daily commuters but also for special cultural events.

On an average weekday, over 165,000 GO Train passengers use Union Station, most of whom have destinations to the north.  With projected increases in population in the Greater Toronto Area and employment in the City's downtown, and proposed expansion of GO Train service to meet the increasing demands, the passenger volumes at Union Station are forecast to double within fifteen years.  It is necessary, therefore, to implement measures to effectively accommodate these increased pedestrian volumes and to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, their safety.  Accordingly, a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) was undertaken to evaluate alternatives for the reconfiguration of Front Street West between York Street and Bay Street.  Although this section of Front Street is used by automobiles, cyclists, taxis, trucks, vendors, etc., the primary purpose of this EA study was to identify a new plan for Front Street that meets the City's objective of improving this area for pedestrians.

Fourteen alternative configurations were developed and evaluated, with input from numerous City Divisions (City Planning, Heritage, Economic Development and Culture, Technical Services) and consultation with the public, stakeholders, and external review agencies.   Based on the evaluation and consultation, a recommended plan has been developed that includes the following main features:

1.         A reduction in the number of traffic lanes from two lanes to one lane (widened to 4.75m to better accommodate cyclists) in each direction with a centre median and left turn lanes at appropriate locations.

2.         A mid-block pedestrian crossing area, with a slightly raised elevation (flush with the adjacent sidewalks) and specialized surface treatment.

3.         Widened sidewalks and boulevard areas on both the north and south sides of Front Street which will allow tree planting on the north side and the expansion of the public realm and civic plaza on the south side.

4.         Enlarged pedestrian areas and widened crosswalks at both the Front/Bay and Front/York/University intersections to accommodate increased pedestrian volumes.

5.         Provision of designated lay-by areas to accommodate taxi and private automobile pick-up and drop-off activity.

The detailed design of this reconfiguration will also include other elements that will enhance the public realm and address the needs of various users including special surface treatments, pedestrian-scale and special event lighting, bench seating, wayfinding and information booths, bicycle parking, enhanced vendor locations, etc.

The funds for this project are not included in the Transportation Services 2012 Capital Budget and 10-Year Capital Plan and, therefore, the source of funds for this project, estimated to be approximately $5 million, still need to be identified.  However, the work currently being done by the TTC, in addition to work related to the construction of the northwest PATH system and watermain replacement along Front Street,  provide a unique, cost-effective and, perhaps, one-time opportunity to incorporate the above recommendations.  Otherwise, deferral of consideration of this proposal will require the TTC to reinstate Front Street, following completion of their works, to the previous configuration and any future reconfiguration will come at considerably higher cost and additional disruption.