Dear Neighbour:
Re: Traffic Congestion and Pedestrian Safety at Allen Road/Eglinton Avenue
The Eglinton Crosstown is a light rail transit (LRT) line that will run across Eglinton Avenue between Mount Dennis (Weston Road) and Kennedy Station. This 19-kilometre corridor will include a 10-kilometre underground portion, between Keele Street and Laird Drive. It will provide a rapid and reliable service that will be up to 60% faster than bus service today, when it is completed in 2020.
The work is well underway and has reached Eglinton Avenue West and Allen Road. The construction in this area is for the extraction and launch shafts that will be used for the tunnel boring machines currently tunnelling east underneath Eglinton Avenue from Black Creek Drive.
We know that this work has added to the congestion on this already heavily travelled area along Eglinton. The full work zone has reduced the Eglinton and Allen Road way to one lane of traffic in each direction plus one right turn lane onto the northbound Allen Road on-ramp. It also included an adjustment to the signaling for the northbound ramp entrance.
Metrolinx contractors submitted plans for construction activities and traffic management to the City of Toronto, which were reviewed, modified and approved prior to implementation. When the signal change was implemented on Friday, January 31, it became apparent that the new signal configuration caused issues as both pedestrians and motorists are accustomed to separate signals.
Metrolinx has been working closely with the City of Toronto, the TTC, elected officials, and police to monitor the situation and to consider modifications to the current arrangement that will allow Crosstown construction to continue on schedule, alleviate some of the traffic congestion and, most importantly, ensure the safety of pedestrians along Eglinton Avenue West.
As alternatives are examined, the current set up will continue with around-the-clock paid duty police officers to assist and educate pedestrians and drivers. As well, various on-street adjustments will be made including additional signage, pavement markings, and repositioning of current traffic barrels and lanes.
The Crosstown will transform Eglinton providing enhanced rapid transit. We know that during construction, motorists, pedestrians and transit users will be inconvenienced. We need and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Metrolinx is committed to open, honest, two-way communication with the public and the local neighbourhood regarding the construction activities along Eglinton Avenue using a variety of communication vehicles.
For the most up-to-date project information, please visit thecrosstown.ca or our community liaison office at 1848 Eglinton Avenue West. You can also reach us by phone at 416-782-8118, or by email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jamie Robinson
Director, Community Relations and Communications
Toronto Transit Projects
