Now that the official signing-off for Toronto's LRT lines and PRESTO smartcards has passed, Metrolinx has moved on to other major infrastructure projects sitting in the transit pipeline. In a speech to the Toronto Board of Trade yesterday, Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig outlined the next phase of The Big Move program, aimed at improving mobility in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. "The Big Move is our plan to tackle gridlock... We already have over $16 billion invested in projects from The Big Move that are now in progress, but we need to keep moving forward," said McCuaig. 

The Big Move, image by Metrolinx

Two new subway lines are in the works for this next wave, and this includes the much talked-about Downtown Relief Line. The DRL is a crucial element in the region's overall transportation network capacity, as the second subway line, an extension of the Yonge line into Richmond Hill, cannot go ahead until more capacity is added downtown for the extra passengers that will be brought down from York Region. The second stage of Metrolinx projects bumps the DRL to a priority for it to be funded and completed in about 15 years.

Downtown Relief Line, image by Toronto Transit Commission

A number of LRT projects outside Toronto are planned as well for the cities of Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Durham, Peel and Halton Regions. 

GO Transit rail network is to be extended and more all-day, two-way service added. There are also plans to electrify GO Lines and the Union Pearson Express, or UP (formerly known as the Air Rail Link). The key goals of the next wave include over 700km of enhanced transit (new build, extension or service improvements), the creation of over 800,000 new jobs and over 6 million people living within 2km of rapid transit by 2031. 

The elephant in the room of course is how to pay for all of it. In his speech, McCuaig encouraged attendees, stakeholders and the public to engage in a conversation on how best to pay the $34 billion price tag for these improvements by looking to the transit funding models of other cities. A recent update to The Big Move incorporates the results of more timely studies designed to meet transit needs in the GTHA, and will be available on the Metrolinx website for public comment starting December 5th. Ideas up for discussion include increase in income tax, road tolls and a dedicated gas tax. 

The first wave of The Big Move projects has seen an investment of over $16 billion in the GTHA, including the Eglinton-Crosstown LRT, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, the Mississauga BRT, UP (ARL) as well as new dedicated bus lanes in York Region.

The construction of the Union Pearson Express continues, with construction of the airport connection underway as of mid-March. The station at Terminal One will interface directly with the airport's own LINK train, so that service is now being replaced by "Terminal LINK" buses until October 2013, when the exterior of the new combined station will be substanitally complete.

Construction of Union Pearson Express, facing Highway 409, image by Craig White

Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure, tweeted on March 14th that the line would be electrified by 2017, with the line being “built to electric standards and specs.” The unofficial announcement of the 2017 electrication of the line comes after the 2012 controversy over the decision to run the new cars as DMUs (Diesel multiple unit trains). Metrolinx had indicated that electrification of the line—as part of the "Big Move"—was a priority, but it has not yet officially announced a firm date to electrify the line by. 

Underpass of Union Pearson Express, looking west, image by Craig White

A lawsuit by the Clean Train Coalition (CTC)—a coalition of ratepayer and resident's associations along the corridor—was turned down by the Divisional Court in November of last year. The court found that the decision to run diesel trains preceeded Metrolinx's agreement to take over implementation of the extension in 2010, and thus Metrolinx was not obligated to conduct a feasibility study with respect to electrification of the air-rail link. The CTC is concerned that diesel engines will cause undue noise and air pollution in the vicinity of the spur line. The CTC has appealed the decision. The electrification is expected to cost $900 million.

Construction of Union Pearson Express looking west, image by Craig White

Construction of Union-Pearson Express platforms is expected to be underway at Bloor and Union Stations by this summer, while the new trains are now in production and expected to start arriving in early 2014. The 24km line, 3.3km of which is new corridor running off the existing rail corridor to the airport, is targeted for completion in the Spring of 2015 prior to Toronto's hosting of that Summer's Pan Am Games. 

Construction of Union Pearson Express, Pearson Airport in background, image by Nigel Terpstra

The express route expects to have a train run every 15 minutes with connections at the Weston and Bloor GO Stations, and offer amenities such as luggage racks, washrooms, and wi-fi. The cost for the service is yet to be finalized, but is expected to be at least $20 one way for the 25 minute ride.

Construction of Union Pearson Express near Woodbine Racetrack, east of Highway 427, photo by Craig White

The Union terminal, which will offer a check-in kiosk and flight information, will be located off the Skywalk, with connections to Union Station and the PATH system. The Bloor station will connect to the Dundas West TTC subway station.

Panoramic image of Union Pearson Express, photo by Craig White

Do you have comments about Union Pearson Express? Do you have an opinion about the future electrification of the line? Please leave a comment below! Additionally, please check out the UrbanToronto Forum thread on the topic.

The past month at UrbanToronto has been quite eventful. Our Twitter page has just hit over 20,000 followers, our Facebook page is approaching 4,000 fans, and the city of Toronto is growing faster than ever. Torontonians are definitely checking out UrbanToronto's news, forums, and dataBase for all things urban development in Toronto. Let's take a look at the projects that have seen the most traffic from UrbanToronto visitors. 

News

Our news page featured some suprising hits this month.

Our most read story was our provocative April Fools article, purporting to reveal more detailed plans for the Downtown Relief Line through Toronto's core. Transportation issues are near and dear to Torontonians' hearts, and the story offered some mostly serious food for thought about the proposed subway line. As a prank we know it worked to a good degree as it got significant attention in various transportation agency offices in the GTA. Some of the ideas presented in it will resurface in the future… well, they'll re-sub-surface, we should say…

Second more popular was our story on the interesting Ontario Place proposal by Scott Dickson titled "Ontario Place Redux". In third place was the most popular news article on a development that actually is in play right now, namely the proposed 45-storey condominum tower at 70 Carlton Street. You'll find all the links below!

Ontario Place Redux, image by Scott Dickson

1. TTC Narrows Down DRL Subway Route Through Toronto's Core (April Fools!)

2. Ontario Place Redux: a Unique Plan For A Unique Destination

3. Tribute Moving Forward On Condo Across From Loblaws At MLG

4. 3C Lakeshore Waterfront Project To Transform Lower Don Lands

5. CN Tower and the Ripley's Aquarium Race to Summer Openings

6. Update on the Union Pearson Express: Electrification by 2017?

7. More Details Emerge On Pinnacle's Skyscraping 1 & 7 Yonge Proposal

8. A Trip to The Top of Tridel's 300 Front Street West

9. While Porter Orders Jets, Airport Tunnel Is Halfway To Completion

10. Toronto Is Home: A Video by Javin Lau
 

Threads

For those of you who like to discuss Toronto's newest developments, the Ice Condos at York Centre was a popular development this month, coming in at number one. Meanwhile, the nearly completed L Tower comes in at second place, and the ever-polarizing Aura at College Park comes in at third.

Ïce Condominums at York Centre, image by Lanterra

1. Ice Condos at York Centre (Lanterra, 57 + 67s, aA)

2. L Tower + Sony Centre (Castlepoint/Fernbrook/Cityzen, 58s, Libeskind/P+S)

3. Aura: Residences of College Park III (Canderel, 78s, G+C)

4. Southcore Financial Ctr: Bremner Tower & Delta (GWL/bcIMC, 30 + 47s, KPMB & P+S/IBI)

5. One York (Menkes, 35s, &c) + Harbour Plaza Residences (90 Harbour St, 62 + 66s, aA)

6. Aquarium of Canada & CN Tower Retail Pavillion (Canada Lands/Ripley, 3s, B+H)

7. Residences at the RCMI (426 University, Tribute, 42s, Zeidler)

8. Trump Tower Toronto (Talon, 57s, Zeidler)

9. One Bloor East (1 Bloor St E., Great Gulf Homes, 75s, Hariri Pontarini)

10. Mirvish+Gehry Toronto (ProjectCore, 82 + 84 + 86s, Gehry)
 

dataBase

Our dataBase continues to grow with more developments being added every week. Each dataBase listing provides high quality renderings, information on each development, and links to realtors and developers websites. The most popular dataBase page was Ripley's Aquarium of Canada as it nears completion for a Summer 2013 opening. The L Tower (also nearly finished) came in right below. One York has also been a popular dateBase listing, coming in just below L Tower.

Ripley's Aquarium Of Canada, image by Ripley's

1. Ripley's Aquarium Of Canada

2. L Tower

3. One York Street & Harbour Plaza Residences

4. 383 Sorauren Avenue

5. Aura at College Park

6. Yonge & Rich Condominiums

7. One Bloor East

8. Union Station Revitalization

9. 3C Waterfront

10. CN Tower Entry Pavilion

What will be most popular in May? There's so much going on, it's anyone's guess!

After several years of study and multiple consultations with citizens and the private sector, Metrolinx has released its Investment Strategy. To fund the Next Wave of projects in Metrolinx's Big Move regional transportation plan, the Investment Strategy outlines a series of new taxes, tolls and levies recommended to generate the estimated $2 billion per year needed.

The Big Move, image courtesy of Metrolinx

When formulating the revenue methods, Metrolinx sought a suite of tools which would apply no unfair burden to a particular group. The resulting tools recommended are a sales tax increase, gas tax, development charge increase, and a parking levy. All revenue generated from these tools would be placed into a Transportation Trust Fund to ensure a dedicated and transparent funding system.

Map of the planned Big Move Regional Transit System, image courtesy of Metrolinx

A 1% sales tax increase is estimated to bring in $1.3 billion per year, and given the policy and collection complications will likely be applied province wide, with all revenue generated from communities outside the GTHA being directed to those communities. The 1% tax would be applied to all goods and services currently subject to the HST.

The parking levy will apply to all non-residential off-street parking and is expected to generate $350 million annually. The levy itself will vary based on the value assessment of each individual property but the average rate is expected to be 25¢ per day per space.

Crosstown LRV train passing through a station, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Metrolinx's recommended gas tax is meant to ensure that drivers and businesses alike who benefit from less congested roads and highways contribute their fair share. At 5¢ per litre, the projected revenue is $330 million annually.

Given the current regional construction boom, Metrolinx is also ensuring that developers also pay their fare share and are expecting to generate $100 million dollars through a 15% development charge increase. The charges would be implemented with legislation that changes the how new development and construction is assessed.

From the new revenue generated, 75% will go to capital and operating costs of new projects, while 25% will be directed towards local projects and roads programs.

Following these four recommended revenue tools, Metrolinx is also recommending the policy implementation of High-Occupancy Toll lanes, Parking Charges at transit stations, and Land Value Capture tools. If approved, the HOT lanes are estimated to bring in as much as $100 million in net new revenue, while the parking charges are meant to cover the maintenance and operating costs for the new parking garages and associated station improvements. The revenue which would be generated from Land Value Capture tools is unknown.

Union-Pearson Express train, image courtesy of Metrolinx

To direct the construction sequencing of the Next Wave projects, Metrolinx has outlined their Project Prioritization framework which defines how each project will be assessed for its construction viability, nessecity and cost requirements.

With a regional plan, funding, and community support the Big Move may finally be capable of delivering the much needed transit The GTHA has long been promised.

The Provincial Government will now debate the proposal. As the plan moves forward, UrbanToronto will keep you up to date on all the details, especially as it will effect new transit lines in the GTHA. To see what else Metrolinx is doing around Toronto, checkout the UT dataBase links below.

Toronto commuting can be a real pain some days, but Metrolinx and GO Transit are working to make sure it gets better. GO's rail service is Canada's most used commuter rail service, with 185,000 daily passengers riding the green. To ensure increased future capacity and a better commute, Metrolinx has a plan called The Big Move. As part of that plan GO is undertaking a massive project to expand its Kitchener Rail Corridor between Union Station and Georgetown. Infrastructure for the Union Pearson Express train is also being built as part of this project.

GO Train passes crews working on the Georgetown South Project Weston Tunnel, image from Metrolinx

Map of the Georgetown South Expansion project, image from Metrolinx

The corridor cuts through the western half of Toronto, extending all the way to the Airport, and continues on to Kitchener. The Georgetown South Project (GTS) ecompasses the area roughly between Union Station and Pearson Airport. In total 16 bridges will be expanded and retrofitted to handle the influx of new passengers from upcoming two-way all-day service. In addition, Metrolinx is building 5 grade separated underpasses including the complicated West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation where both freight and passenger service intersect.

Strachan Avenue Rail Underpass looking West, image by Nigel Terpstra

In preperation for the Union-Pearson 'UP Express' rail service, crews at Bloor and Weston are working to completely remodel both stations for increased capacity and to provide better passenger shelters and amenities. The new train service will provide passengers with a premiuim 25-minute express trip between Pearson International Airport and Union Station. To ensure the reliability of this service, Metrolinx is building dedicated tracks along the route.

UP Express Rail Spur being constructed, image from Metrolinx

Pile Driver working at Bloor GO station, image from Metrolinx

Metrolinx is also taking a look into the future of its trains and has started community consultations for electrification of the Georgetown and Lakeshore lines. Electric trains will be able to run at increased speeds, moving more people with less localized pollution.

Weston Tunnel Trench digging, image courtesy of Metrolinx

With service improvements and the UP Express needed in time for the 2015 Pan Am Games, Metrolinx and its partners are working quickly to improve transit across the region. With so many pieces to this massive project, UrbanToronto will return with more in-depth articles looking at some of the most crucial components in the coming months.

To see what else Metrolinx is doing to provide better GO Transit rail solutions for the region, check out the dataBase links below and drop by the Forum and see what people are saying about this exciting project.

Metrolinx plans to have it open in 2015: a new dedicated train, the AirRail Link, which will connect Canada's busiest air transportation hub to Canada's busiest transportation hub of any kind. That's Pearson to Union, and it hasn't been a quick and easy ride between the two for many years: traffic in this city has long meant that the trip between the core and the airport can be hampered by jams at many hours of the day.

Bring on the Pan Am Games in 2015, and finally Toronto is getting a little more rapid transit infrastructure to cope with the situation. After all, we don't want athletes and their coaches from across the hemisphere to know what it's really like to travel in this city: people from elsewhere might not think we have our transportation act together, and sadly, the truth does hurt.

So, bring on the concrete and rebar: the columns below are at the north end of the new 3 kilometre spur which will take the 70-metre long AirRail Link trains off the expanded GO Kitchener line and down to new platforms connected to Pearson's existing Link Train station at Terminal 1.

Construction of columns proceeds for the new Pearson-Union AirRail Link, image by Nigel Terpstra

Construction of columns proceeds for the new Pearson-Union AirRail Link, image by Nigel Terpstra

Construction of columns proceeds for the new Pearson-Union AirRail Link, image by Nigel Terpstra

Construction of columns proceeds for the new Pearson-Union AirRail Link, image by Nigel Terpstra

Construction of columns proceeds for the new Pearson-Union AirRail Link, image by Nigel Terpstra

Columns at the north end of the spur are the most conplete, while the concrete is now being poured for columns in the section paralleling the 427. Holes are being drilled currently for columns around the curve paralleling the 427 southbound to 409 westbound ramp. Counstruction for columns completing the spur along the 409 and over to the Terminal 1 station is still upcoming. A map shows of the whole route below.

Rail spur location for the Pearson-Union AirRail Link, cartography by Craig White

We await more news on the AirRail Link trains; so far Metrolinx has released the rendering below of the two-car Diesel Multiple Unit trains. They will run every fifteen minutes between the airport and the core, with stops at Weston GO and Bloor GO in between. Meanwhile a ratepayers group in Weston is attempting to stop the link from opening before it is electrified: a lawsuit contends that the health of those living nearby the tracks will be severely compromised until electrification of the line permits cleaner trains to run on it.

Pearson-Union AirRail Link vehicle, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Are you looking forward to the AirRail Link? What are your thoughts on it? Please leave a comment below.

Metrolinx announced last week that construction of the Union-Pearson Express rail link between two of the city's most important transportation hubs is now fully under way as the contract has been awarded to build the final component of the service's infrastructure, the terminal at Union Station.

The project is a prominent element of Metrolinx's "Big Move" regional transportation plan, one which will change the way many people travel between downtown and the airport. Kathy Haley, President of UP Express, stated that having all components of this project under way marked a milestone for the UP Express, which will open in 2015 as scheduled, in time for the Pan Am Games.

Rendering of UP vehicle, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Components of the rail project include:

• construction of the 3km spur line connecting GO Transit's Kitchener rail line with Toronto Pearson Airport
• building the UP Express station at Pearson Terminal 1
• upgrades and improvements to Weston and Bloor GO stations
• new tracks, signalling, and bridges along the rail corridor
• construction of the UP Express shuttle trains
• a terminal at Union Station

Union Pearson Express route map, image courtesy of Metrolinx

EllisDon Corporation will carry out the $23,804,296 contract to build the modern terminal at Union Station, which will be accessed from the SkyWalk to the west of the Great Hall. This terminal will include automated ticket vending machines, fare card validators, customer service desk, plenty of seating during wait times, and accessible washrooms. The platform, dedicated to the UP Express service, will be climate controlled as it will be shielded by a platform edge protection door system. There will also be a mezzanine lounge above the platform level providing a panoramic view for customers, along with back-office space for staff and train crews.

Union Pearson Express, Union Station, now under cosntruction, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The project is expected to create 1,255 jobs during construction.

For more information on the details and development of the Union Pearson Express, visit the UrbanToronto dataBase page for this project, linked below, or choose the associated Forum thread to get in on the discussion. UrbanToronto will post more updates as the construction for UP Express unfolds!

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Glen Murray announced at a press conference yesterday in the Union Station Skywalk that the Union Pearson Express is on time to be built for the 2015 Pan AM/Parapan Am Games. Murray was on hand with Kathy Haley, President of the Metrolinx Union Pearson Express (UPX), and Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx, to give an update on the UPX Union Station terminal's progress, as well as present updated renderings of the station. The bulk of the press conference, however, was Murray answering questions about a potential Scarborough subway. We have two new renderings, and the details of press conference below!

Image of the UPX Skywalk ticket station, courtesy of Metrolinx

As reported earlier, all parts of the rail link are now underway. Murray stressed how the terminal would connect with other major transit infrastructure such as the TTC and Via Rail, and what a boon it would be to be able to connect passengers at Pearson Airport with Downtown Toronto in approximately 25 minutes.

“The system accommodates people and the most important innovation and invention in human history: wheels on luggage. This will be a seamless connection.” The Union Station terminal will have barrier-free access to Front Street and the rest of the transportation options via elevators.

Murray seemingly took a few jabs at Toronto City Council, saying that the line was 100% provincially funded.

“Too many parts of the [GTA] have waited 20, 30, or 40 years while people talked about transit. We're actually building it.”

New rendering of the inside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Old rendering of the inside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

McCuaig praised the work that had been done by Metrolinx.

“We're focused on providing a transportation system that is modern, efficient, and integrated.”

Neither McCuaig nor Murray made any mention about the potential fare for the service at the press conference. It is understood that the cost of a ticket will be over $20 one-way.

Haley then took the podium to present the new renderings of the station to the crowd.

“This clever design [by MMM Group and Zeidler Partnership Architects] maximizes the space, and creates an 18,400 square foot experience for guests over two levels. Our guests will even have the opportunity to experience Ontario first hand, through a unique partnership with Ontario businesses to provide a sampling of some of our local specialties.”

Questions were completely dominated by the news that the Liberal Government might be caving into the demand by Mayor Ford and some councillors to turn the approved LRT into a subway. Murray chastised Toronto City Council for their inability to stick to a decision.

“We had the Miller plan which we worked through, we had the Ford plan, the Stintz plan, and now we may have another contradictory motion.”

He also ribbed the Federal Government for refusing to help fund investment in transit infrastructure.

“Only one of the three orders of government is stepping up and putting its money where its mouth is, and getting stuff built.”

New rendering of the outside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Old rendering of the outside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Murray, however, did not shut the door on a subway for Scarborough. While he stood by LRTs as a good investment and maligned those who compared it to a streetcar, Murray said that if Toronto City Council could make the case for a subway, then he's be willing to talk. He made it clear that Scarborough would be getting new transit investment one way or the other, stressing that there was no project that was more important. But Murray indicated that it was ultimately the provincial government's call to make.

“The decision about Scarborough will not be made at [Toronto City Hall] , the decision about Scarborough will be made at Queen's Park. I am not fussed over whether it's an LRT or a subway. This is about jobs and investments.”

Murray stressed that getting new investment in Scarborough, such as new office development, would only happen if the transit was in place. But he also warned the city to get their zoning in place to avoid repeating the lessons of the Bloor-Danforth subway, where some argue investment in properties nearby was hampered by restrictive zoning that has prevented growth. He reiterated however, that the council would need to be firm with their decision.

“If you're asking me if I'm ready to drop everything and say 'okay yeah we're just going do a subway? No. We work in partnership with the City. We need to see a lot more work done than just passing a motion at council and saying 'we changed our mind like we changed our socks.'”

Visual of the Union-Pearson Express, courtesy of Metrolinx

What do you think about the new renderings? How about the Minister's comments about the Scarborough LRT/subway debate? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation in our forum!

Metrolinx's construction team has been at work for six months now on the Toronto Pearson International Airport Station for the Union Pearson Express at Terminal 1. The station, sitting between the tracks of the temporarily shut LINK train, is now 75% complete, and the tracks for the LINK train will be turned back over to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. The LINK has been replaced by buses since it closed in March to allow for the new UP Express station to be built. The LINK train will be operating again mid-October, normalizing travel around the Pearson site for airport workers and users again.

The UP Express station in context out front of Terminal 1, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The new train meanwhile, now branded UP Express, will connect travellers to and from the airport with Union Station in Downtown Toronto, stopping twice along the way at Weston GO station at Lawrence Avenue, and at Dundas West subway station at Bloor Street. The spur line leading to the airport from GO Transit's Georgetown South corridor and the new station itself are being constructed by AirLINX Transit Partner Inc., which is a consortium of Aecon Construction and Materials Limited and Dufferin Construction Company. The work is being delivered using the Province of Ontario’s alternative financing and procurement (AFP) delivery model. The contract is for a fixed price and a fixed completion date, and is overseen by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario.

Close-up on the UP Express station at Terminal 1, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The Union Pearson Express station will open adjacent to the LINK station at Terminal 1, better facilitating passenger transit throughout Pearson Airport. Travellers will be able to head straight into Terminal 1, or hop the LINK train for the short ride over to Terminal 3.

Location of the UP Express station at Terminal 1, Pearson Airport, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The UP Express is on schedule for service to begin in 2015, prior to the summertime Pan and Parapan Am Games. UP Express is one component of Metrolinx's transportation plan called The Big Move, set to improve travel throughout the GTHA.

Want to know more about the Union Pearson Express? Check out UrbanToronto's dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Choose the associated Forum thread link, or leave your comment in the space provided on this page.

A major component of Metrolinx’s The Big Move transit infrastructure project is the Union Pearson Express (UP Express). The UP Express will run between Union Station in Toronto and terminate at the future UP Express Pearson Station at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. The UP Express line will also incorporate stops at Bloor-Dundas and Weston GO stations into its route.

Conceptual train design to run on the UP Express line, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The UP Express will differ from the regular GO rail lines in that Metrolinx is proposing to electrify the entire 25 kilometres of the line with an Overhead Contact System (OCS) - a system similar to the one used for the TTC’s streetcar lines and the various commuter train lines around the world.

However, before the project proceeds, both Metrolinx and Hydro One have announced that they will commence environmental assessments for the UP Express project, fulfilling Metrolinx’s requirements under the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) and Hydro One’s requirements under the Class EA for Minor Transmission Facilities (Class EA). Once the environmental assessments are complete, they will be made accessible for public review.

Proposed UP Express line and EA study area, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Metrolinx has already held a series of public open houses this past summer to share project updates and seek feedback on the conceptual design of UP Express electrification. A second round of joint Public Open Houses are planned for winter 2014 to present and gather feedback on both the TPAP (Metrolinx) and Class EA (Hydro One) project components. Consultation with the public and First Nations and Métis communities is a key element to the UP Express environmental assessment. The public is encouraged to submit comments or questions related to the UP Express Electrification Project to electrification@metrolinx.com.

As the debate over expanding Billy Bishop Airport rages on, the nation's largest airport will soon have greatly improved connectivity thanks to Metrolinx's Union Pearson Express, a vital rail link under-construction between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Union Station and Pearson International Airport are the GTA's two busiest and most important transportation facilities, and starting next year, the two locations will be a mere 25 minutes apart by rail.

The Union Pearson Express will connect directly to Terminal 1 at Pearson via a three-kilometre rail spur branching off from the existing GO Kitchener rail corridor. The new spur is on schedule to be completed in the coming months, but work continues on reconfiguring the tracks leading up to the spur. 

Trackwork in West Toronto approaching the new rail spur, image by Forum member drum118

A new grade separation is being constructed at the West Toronto Diamond near Keele and Dundas Streets, which has been designed to improve capacity by eliminating a congested at-grade railway crossing while simultaneously dropping noise levels for nearby residents. A similar upgrade at Strachan Avenue, which adds four tracks in two lowered corridors, is also vital to the functionality of the UP Express while also serving to greatly improve GO transit service.

Strachan Avenue grade separation, image by Forum member Bamako

The line's southeastern terminus at Union Station will be served by a new station and platform. Construction started last year with the fencing off of the southern wall of the pedestrian Skywalk PATH link stretching between York and Simcoe Streets while demolition proceeded out of public view.

Earlier this month the steel structure of the platform itself started to take shape. UrbanToronto Forum contributor pesto shared his view of the Union Station construction on March 10th from an upper floor at TELUS House at York and Bremner.

Construction of the Union Station UP Express platform, image by Forum member pesto

The platform has already made significant progress, and work continues on the steel structure. Here is a closer look...

Construction of the Union Station UP Express platform, image by Forum member pesto

Much work is still left to be done before the line can open to travellers in 2015. The first rail vehicles are expected to be delivered this Spring, followed by the completion of the 3-kilometre spur line this Summer. Construction on the four stations is expected to be complete by Winter 2015, and the line is set to open in Spring 2015. 

Rendering of UP Express Union Station

Once the line goes into operation, trains will depart from Union Station every 15 minutes, stopping at Dundas West subway station at Bloor Street, and at Weston GO station at Lawrence Avenue before arriving at Terminal 1 Pearson Airport at the end of the 25 minute long ride. The Union Pearson Express is expected to remove 1.2 million car trips from our roads in its first year of operation alone, and the line's future conversion to electric trains is expected to further reduce greenhouse emissions for the City.

Visit the UP Express dataBase file for a comprehensive collection of project facts and renderings, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.

Union Station is Canada's most important transportation hub, bringing VIA Rail, GO Transit, the TTC, and even Amtrak together at the doorstep to our city. The station serves over 200,000 passengers a day, making it even busier than Toronto Pearson International Airport. With the city growing in every direction around Union Station, the station is growing to keep up with the GTA's ever-increasing transportation needs. Several projects are under way in the blocks around Union Station to bring everything together, all to increase capacity, and totalling over $1.3 billion in infrastructure investment. The Station itself ($800M) and the train shed and atrium above ($250M), the subway station ($162M), a PATH network extension ($105M), the new Union Pearson Express terminal ($24M of $456M total budget for UP Express), and a new Front Street entrance to the city (approx $20M), all figure into the bigger picture.

The most disruptive of the projects has been the combination of the badly needed second platform for Union subway station and the Northwest PATH extension. The pair of projects has required the substantial closure of Front Street between York Street and Yonge, with only a couple of lanes remaining open across part of the stretch. As of mid-March, the TTC has now completed major concrete work on the subway station expansion, so in coming months while work continues underground, crews will be able to begin returning Front Street to normal. In this case it will mean using pavers instead of asphalt and creating a far more people-friendly space in front of the station.

Union Station construction along Front Street, image by Jack Landau

View of the TTC Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

Workers are striving to open the second platform late this Summer or in the Fall. By adding a second subway platform and expanding the concourse to include a single TTC fare-paid area and pedestrian by-pass routes, Union subway station circulation will become less confusing and will ease crowding. The new platform will be assigned for trains traveling northbound on Line 1 up Yonge Street, while the existing platform will be transformed to only allow travel on Line 1 in the direction of the University-Spadina arm.

Union Station TTC Platform, image by Jack Landau

The best known of the projects in the area is the Union Station Revitalization Project itself. The revitalization is an $800-million City initiative supported by investments of $164 million by the Government of Canada and $172 million by the Government of Ontario. It will revamp the station's interiors, add a new GO Train concourse on the York Street side, improve the existing Bay Street concourse, dig out the basement level to add a shopping mall and better PATH network connections, and finally will return the grand public spaces to their former glory. The York Street Concourse is targeted to open later this year. 

GO Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

GO Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

Glass Atrium on GO/VIA Concourse, image by Jack Landau

In the next upcoming year, we will be seeing a lot of progress and completion of many projects within Union Station. Keep up on the development by checking out our thread, linked below. For more renderings of the revitalization, you can click on the dataBase links. Let us know what you think, and leave comments in the space provided.

Metrolinx announced last week that construction of the Union-Pearson Express rail link between two of the city's most important transportation hubs is now fully under way as the contract has been awarded to build the final component of the service's infrastructure, the terminal at Union Station.

The project is a prominent element of Metrolinx's "Big Move" regional transportation plan, one which will change the way many people travel between downtown and the airport. Kathy Haley, President of UP Express, stated that having all components of this project under way marked a milestone for the UP Express, which will open in 2015 as scheduled, in time for the Pan Am Games.

Rendering of UP vehicle, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Components of the rail project include:

• construction of the 3km spur line connecting GO Transit's Kitchener rail line with Toronto Pearson Airport
• building the UP Express station at Pearson Terminal 1
• upgrades and improvements to Weston and Bloor GO stations
• new tracks, signalling, and bridges along the rail corridor
• construction of the UP Express shuttle trains
• a terminal at Union Station

Union Pearson Express route map, image courtesy of Metrolinx

EllisDon Corporation will carry out the $23,804,296 contract to build the modern terminal at Union Station, which will be accessed from the SkyWalk to the west of the Great Hall. This terminal will include automated ticket vending machines, fare card validators, customer service desk, plenty of seating during wait times, and accessible washrooms. The platform, dedicated to the UP Express service, will be climate controlled as it will be shielded by a platform edge protection door system. There will also be a mezzanine lounge above the platform level providing a panoramic view for customers, along with back-office space for staff and train crews.

Union Pearson Express, Union Station, now under cosntruction, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The project is expected to create 1,255 jobs during construction.

For more information on the details and development of the Union Pearson Express, visit the UrbanToronto dataBase page for this project, linked below, or choose the associated Forum thread to get in on the discussion. UrbanToronto will post more updates as the construction for UP Express unfolds!

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Glen Murray announced at a press conference yesterday in the Union Station Skywalk that the Union Pearson Express is on time to be built for the 2015 Pan AM/Parapan Am Games. Murray was on hand with Kathy Haley, President of the Metrolinx Union Pearson Express (UPX), and Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx, to give an update on the UPX Union Station terminal's progress, as well as present updated renderings of the station. The bulk of the press conference, however, was Murray answering questions about a potential Scarborough subway. We have two new renderings, and the details of press conference below!

Image of the UPX Skywalk ticket station, courtesy of Metrolinx

As reported earlier, all parts of the rail link are now underway. Murray stressed how the terminal would connect with other major transit infrastructure such as the TTC and Via Rail, and what a boon it would be to be able to connect passengers at Pearson Airport with Downtown Toronto in approximately 25 minutes.

“The system accommodates people and the most important innovation and invention in human history: wheels on luggage. This will be a seamless connection.” The Union Station terminal will have barrier-free access to Front Street and the rest of the transportation options via elevators.

Murray seemingly took a few jabs at Toronto City Council, saying that the line was 100% provincially funded.

“Too many parts of the [GTA] have waited 20, 30, or 40 years while people talked about transit. We're actually building it.”

New rendering of the inside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Old rendering of the inside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

McCuaig praised the work that had been done by Metrolinx.

“We're focused on providing a transportation system that is modern, efficient, and integrated.”

Neither McCuaig nor Murray made any mention about the potential fare for the service at the press conference. It is understood that the cost of a ticket will be over $20 one-way.

Haley then took the podium to present the new renderings of the station to the crowd.

“This clever design [by MMM Group and Zeidler Partnership Architects] maximizes the space, and creates an 18,400 square foot experience for guests over two levels. Our guests will even have the opportunity to experience Ontario first hand, through a unique partnership with Ontario businesses to provide a sampling of some of our local specialties.”

Questions were completely dominated by the news that the Liberal Government might be caving into the demand by Mayor Ford and some councillors to turn the approved LRT into a subway. Murray chastised Toronto City Council for their inability to stick to a decision.

“We had the Miller plan which we worked through, we had the Ford plan, the Stintz plan, and now we may have another contradictory motion.”

He also ribbed the Federal Government for refusing to help fund investment in transit infrastructure.

“Only one of the three orders of government is stepping up and putting its money where its mouth is, and getting stuff built.”

New rendering of the outside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Old rendering of the outside of the UPX Skywalk terminal, courtesy of Metrolinx

Murray, however, did not shut the door on a subway for Scarborough. While he stood by LRTs as a good investment and maligned those who compared it to a streetcar, Murray said that if Toronto City Council could make the case for a subway, then he's be willing to talk. He made it clear that Scarborough would be getting new transit investment one way or the other, stressing that there was no project that was more important. But Murray indicated that it was ultimately the provincial government's call to make.

“The decision about Scarborough will not be made at [Toronto City Hall] , the decision about Scarborough will be made at Queen's Park. I am not fussed over whether it's an LRT or a subway. This is about jobs and investments.”

Murray stressed that getting new investment in Scarborough, such as new office development, would only happen if the transit was in place. But he also warned the city to get their zoning in place to avoid repeating the lessons of the Bloor-Danforth subway, where some argue investment in properties nearby was hampered by restrictive zoning that has prevented growth. He reiterated however, that the council would need to be firm with their decision.

“If you're asking me if I'm ready to drop everything and say 'okay yeah we're just going do a subway? No. We work in partnership with the City. We need to see a lot more work done than just passing a motion at council and saying 'we changed our mind like we changed our socks.'”

Visual of the Union-Pearson Express, courtesy of Metrolinx

What do you think about the new renderings? How about the Minister's comments about the Scarborough LRT/subway debate? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation in our forum!

Metrolinx's construction team has been at work for six months now on the Toronto Pearson International Airport Station for the Union Pearson Express at Terminal 1. The station, sitting between the tracks of the temporarily shut LINK train, is now 75% complete, and the tracks for the LINK train will be turned back over to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. The LINK has been replaced by buses since it closed in March to allow for the new UP Express station to be built. The LINK train will be operating again mid-October, normalizing travel around the Pearson site for airport workers and users again.

The UP Express station in context out front of Terminal 1, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The new train meanwhile, now branded UP Express, will connect travellers to and from the airport with Union Station in Downtown Toronto, stopping twice along the way at Weston GO station at Lawrence Avenue, and at Dundas West subway station at Bloor Street. The spur line leading to the airport from GO Transit's Georgetown South corridor and the new station itself are being constructed by AirLINX Transit Partner Inc., which is a consortium of Aecon Construction and Materials Limited and Dufferin Construction Company. The work is being delivered using the Province of Ontario’s alternative financing and procurement (AFP) delivery model. The contract is for a fixed price and a fixed completion date, and is overseen by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario.

Close-up on the UP Express station at Terminal 1, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The Union Pearson Express station will open adjacent to the LINK station at Terminal 1, better facilitating passenger transit throughout Pearson Airport. Travellers will be able to head straight into Terminal 1, or hop the LINK train for the short ride over to Terminal 3.

Location of the UP Express station at Terminal 1, Pearson Airport, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The UP Express is on schedule for service to begin in 2015, prior to the summertime Pan and Parapan Am Games. UP Express is one component of Metrolinx's transportation plan called The Big Move, set to improve travel throughout the GTHA.

Want to know more about the Union Pearson Express? Check out UrbanToronto's dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Choose the associated Forum thread link, or leave your comment in the space provided on this page.

A major component of Metrolinx’s The Big Move transit infrastructure project is the Union Pearson Express (UP Express). The UP Express will run between Union Station in Toronto and terminate at the future UP Express Pearson Station at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. The UP Express line will also incorporate stops at Bloor-Dundas and Weston GO stations into its route.

Conceptual train design to run on the UP Express line, image courtesy of Metrolinx

The UP Express will differ from the regular GO rail lines in that Metrolinx is proposing to electrify the entire 25 kilometres of the line with an Overhead Contact System (OCS) - a system similar to the one used for the TTC’s streetcar lines and the various commuter train lines around the world.

However, before the project proceeds, both Metrolinx and Hydro One have announced that they will commence environmental assessments for the UP Express project, fulfilling Metrolinx’s requirements under the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) and Hydro One’s requirements under the Class EA for Minor Transmission Facilities (Class EA). Once the environmental assessments are complete, they will be made accessible for public review.

Proposed UP Express line and EA study area, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Metrolinx has already held a series of public open houses this past summer to share project updates and seek feedback on the conceptual design of UP Express electrification. A second round of joint Public Open Houses are planned for winter 2014 to present and gather feedback on both the TPAP (Metrolinx) and Class EA (Hydro One) project components. Consultation with the public and First Nations and Métis communities is a key element to the UP Express environmental assessment. The public is encouraged to submit comments or questions related to the UP Express Electrification Project to electrification@metrolinx.com.

As the debate over expanding Billy Bishop Airport rages on, the nation's largest airport will soon have greatly improved connectivity thanks to Metrolinx's Union Pearson Express, a vital rail link under-construction between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Union Station and Pearson International Airport are the GTA's two busiest and most important transportation facilities, and starting next year, the two locations will be a mere 25 minutes apart by rail.

The Union Pearson Express will connect directly to Terminal 1 at Pearson via a three-kilometre rail spur branching off from the existing GO Kitchener rail corridor. The new spur is on schedule to be completed in the coming months, but work continues on reconfiguring the tracks leading up to the spur. 

Trackwork in West Toronto approaching the new rail spur, image by Forum member drum118

A new grade separation is being constructed at the West Toronto Diamond near Keele and Dundas Streets, which has been designed to improve capacity by eliminating a congested at-grade railway crossing while simultaneously dropping noise levels for nearby residents. A similar upgrade at Strachan Avenue, which adds four tracks in two lowered corridors, is also vital to the functionality of the UP Express while also serving to greatly improve GO transit service.

Strachan Avenue grade separation, image by Forum member Bamako

The line's southeastern terminus at Union Station will be served by a new station and platform. Construction started last year with the fencing off of the southern wall of the pedestrian Skywalk PATH link stretching between York and Simcoe Streets while demolition proceeded out of public view.

Earlier this month the steel structure of the platform itself started to take shape. UrbanToronto Forum contributor pesto shared his view of the Union Station construction on March 10th from an upper floor at TELUS House at York and Bremner.

Construction of the Union Station UP Express platform, image by Forum member pesto

The platform has already made significant progress, and work continues on the steel structure. Here is a closer look...

Construction of the Union Station UP Express platform, image by Forum member pesto

Much work is still left to be done before the line can open to travellers in 2015. The first rail vehicles are expected to be delivered this Spring, followed by the completion of the 3-kilometre spur line this Summer. Construction on the four stations is expected to be complete by Winter 2015, and the line is set to open in Spring 2015. 

Rendering of UP Express Union Station

Once the line goes into operation, trains will depart from Union Station every 15 minutes, stopping at Dundas West subway station at Bloor Street, and at Weston GO station at Lawrence Avenue before arriving at Terminal 1 Pearson Airport at the end of the 25 minute long ride. The Union Pearson Express is expected to remove 1.2 million car trips from our roads in its first year of operation alone, and the line's future conversion to electric trains is expected to further reduce greenhouse emissions for the City.

Visit the UP Express dataBase file for a comprehensive collection of project facts and renderings, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.

Union Station is Canada's most important transportation hub, bringing VIA Rail, GO Transit, the TTC, and even Amtrak together at the doorstep to our city. The station serves over 200,000 passengers a day, making it even busier than Toronto Pearson International Airport. With the city growing in every direction around Union Station, the station is growing to keep up with the GTA's ever-increasing transportation needs. Several projects are under way in the blocks around Union Station to bring everything together, all to increase capacity, and totalling over $1.3 billion in infrastructure investment. The Station itself ($800M) and the train shed and atrium above ($250M), the subway station ($162M), a PATH network extension ($105M), the new Union Pearson Express terminal ($24M of $456M total budget for UP Express), and a new Front Street entrance to the city (approx $20M), all figure into the bigger picture.

The most disruptive of the projects has been the combination of the badly needed second platform for Union subway station and the Northwest PATH extension. The pair of projects has required the substantial closure of Front Street between York Street and Yonge, with only a couple of lanes remaining open across part of the stretch. As of mid-March, the TTC has now completed major concrete work on the subway station expansion, so in coming months while work continues underground, crews will be able to begin returning Front Street to normal. In this case it will mean using pavers instead of asphalt and creating a far more people-friendly space in front of the station.

Union Station construction along Front Street, image by Jack Landau

View of the TTC Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

Workers are striving to open the second platform late this Summer or in the Fall. By adding a second subway platform and expanding the concourse to include a single TTC fare-paid area and pedestrian by-pass routes, Union subway station circulation will become less confusing and will ease crowding. The new platform will be assigned for trains traveling northbound on Line 1 up Yonge Street, while the existing platform will be transformed to only allow travel on Line 1 in the direction of the University-Spadina arm.

Union Station TTC Platform, image by Jack Landau

The best known of the projects in the area is the Union Station Revitalization Project itself. The revitalization is an $800-million City initiative supported by investments of $164 million by the Government of Canada and $172 million by the Government of Ontario. It will revamp the station's interiors, add a new GO Train concourse on the York Street side, improve the existing Bay Street concourse, dig out the basement level to add a shopping mall and better PATH network connections, and finally will return the grand public spaces to their former glory. The York Street Concourse is targeted to open later this year. 

GO Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

GO Concourse at Union Station, image by Jack Landau

Glass Atrium on GO/VIA Concourse, image by Jack Landau

In the next upcoming year, we will be seeing a lot of progress and completion of many projects within Union Station. Keep up on the development by checking out our thread, linked below. For more renderings of the revitalization, you can click on the dataBase links. Let us know what you think, and leave comments in the space provided.

Driving around Toronto can be quite the hassle these days, and with the city just getting busier, various infrastructure projects are working to improve the way we move around the city. The Union-Pearson Express (UPX) is Metrolinx's answer to improving access to Pearson Airport from the central city right now, set to open in the Spring of 2015.

The first two low emission Nippon Sharyo diesel multiple unit trains for the line recently arrived in Toronto after a long trip from their manufacturing facility in Toyohashi, Japan. The trains, two cars long currently but to be extended by the addition of a middle car in December, are now being tested on the Lakeshore, Kitchener, and Barrie GO rail lines. You may spot them along those tracks in coming months; we caught one today just outside of Union Station.

A Union-Pearson Express train over Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, image by Jack Landau

With the trains now undergoing testing, work on the line's four purpose-built stations is rushing along. In the image below, we can see the new Union Terminal being built adjacent to the barrel-vaulted section of SkyWalk linking Union Station with the properties to the west.

New Union Terminal under construction for the Union-Pearson Express, image by Jack Landau

Once the $456 million project is completed next year, UPX trains will also stop at the Bloor and Weston GO Stations, and of course Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. 

Rendering of completed UPX platform at Union Station, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Additional information and renderings can be found in our UPX dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Construction on the Union Pearson Express continues as its completion date in the Spring of 2015 approaches. The train, which will connect Union Station in Downtown Toronto with Pearson International Airport, is set to open ahead of the Pan Am Games which take place here in July 2015, to help move people into and out of town more easily and more dependably. 

Bloor UPX station viewed at Bloor St W south of Dundas St W, image by UT Forum contributor urbandreamer

There will be two UPX stops in between Downtown and the Airport at Bloor and at Weston GO Stations. Located just east of the intersection of Bloor and Dundas Street West, and with a planned connection to Dundas West Subway Station, Bloor GO Station is currently being rebuilt to handle the new trains and increased GO Train service.

Bloor UPX station viewed from the west on Dundas St W, image by Forum contributor agoraflaneur

In the image above, taken from the West Toronto Railpath, a new bridge is available for a future installation of a fifth set of tracks past the station. Behind that, the two glassed-in "lightboxes" you can see cover the new Morrison Hershfield-designed station entry and the stairs up the the platforms. The platforms, which are open-air, stretch out to the north. Below, we can see into one of the two lightboxes. 

Closeup of Bloor UPX station platform, image by UT Forum contributor urbandreamer

The lightboxes somewhat overhang the sidewalk below, making them more easily seen from a distance in the crowded landscape between the rail bridges.

Closeup of Bloor UPX station viewed from the west on Dundas St W, image by Forum contributor agoraflaneur

Meanwhile, UPX trains are still arriving. The Diesel Multiple Units, or DMUs, are being tested as they are delivered, and have been seen on stretches of the Lakeshore, Kitchener and Barrie GO rail lines. The DMUs below were seen at Mimico GO station this past weekend, being towed behind a GO locomotive.

A Union Pearson Express train caught at Mimico GO station, image by Craig White

Additional information and renderings of other Union Pearson Express stations can be found in our UPX dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.