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News and Articles>
CONTROVERSIAL STREETCAR PLAN CLEARS HURDLE
City staff wants special lanes for TTC on St. Clair
Toronto Star --
Jun 22, 2004 --
Plan retains most parking, but many businesses object
KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
Having streetcars in their own lanes on St. Clair Ave. W. is one step closer to reality after city staff recommended yesterday an exclusive right-of-way for the TTC down the centre of the six-lane, 6.7-kilometre road.
Promising that businesses would be better off, pedestrians safer, TTC service more reliable and the whole stretch between Yonge and Keele Sts. revitalized, city staff formally passed the political hot potato to city council — which will decide the matter in September.
"This is a 25- to 30-year decision," said Rod McPhail, director of transportation planning for the city.
Over that period, "the way we get around is going to change," McPhail said. "So what should we do? I think we have to improve transit and we can do it on St. Clair."
Since the street is 21 metres wide, McPhail said it's a "no-brainer" to keep parking and give streetcars their own lane.
"The taxpayers spend $3 million on each streetcar; you want it to operate efficiently. Should 40 people on it be stopped by one person in one car (turning left)?" he said.
The city has met with more than 60 special-interest groups; held more than 30 public meetings to discuss nine proposed solutions to improving traffic on St. Clair; and published leaflets in English, Italian and Portuguese for the $30 million - $35 million project.
The issue promises to get more divisive through the summer.
"This has been an emotional project," McPhail said.
"There's a divide in this community. You're going to hear both sides. That's the process. That's what we do."
Public deputations will be heard Sept. 13 before a joint meeting of all city departments involved in the environmental assessment — including the TTC and works department — before the matter goes to city council later that month.
Last night, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on St. Clair Ave. west of Avenue Rd., residents took a look at the recommended proposal. They were divided. "It's a terrible idea," said Paul Pernett, who's worried about losing a lane of traffic. "There are alternatives. They can allow the streetcars to control the traffic lights."
Another resident, Tony Hunt, loved it. "For safety reasons alone, keeping cars off the streetcar tracks is the thing to do," he said.
The fighting will continue. There's another public meeting tomorrow night at the Joe Piccinnini Centre, hosted by the city, preceded by a rally against the streetcar proposal at 6 p.m., hosted by opponents.
Among those opposed are:
 Business owners worried about lost parking spaces.
Residents worried about left-turn restrictions on side streets.
Cyclists upset at lack of bike lanes.
Those who fear an unattractive streetscape.
"Give them a priority during rush hour and so forth, but don't give them a 24-hour solution for a four-hour problem," said Jeff Gillan, co-chair of the Corso Italia Business Improvement Association, which represents about 350 businesses opposed to streetcar-only lanes.
There are advantages to the proposal. On the pro side:
Streetcar service will be faster and more reliable.
There will be more opportunities to turn left or make U-turns on to major roads.
About 570 of the 630 on-street parking spots will be kept and parking lots will be added.
Drivers will not be stuck behind streetcars, and traffic on residential streets will be lighter.
"We've studied so many situations ... after investments in transit, businesses only do better. It draws people from great distances because the environment is so much more inviting to visitors or shoppers," said Mitch Stambler, manager of service planning for the TTC.
Adding more streetcars won't help, "if all they do is bump and grind in traffic congestion and wait behind (traffic accidents), it doesn't matter if you have 20 streetcars on the line or 40, none of them are moving."
An alternative, which calls for a centre median and a left turn lane with streetcar tracks on either side, is still on display.
City council must approve some kind of work, since St. Clair is due for repairs next year.
Caught in the middle is Joe Mihevc, (Ward 21, St. Paul's), the vice-chair of the TTC. "It's a fluid, dynamic process. We have until September to work out these details."
Opposed, however, is Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17, Davenport) and Tony Ruprecht, the MPP for Davenport. Palacio says 90 per cent of his community opposes the plan, which he says is bad for pedestrians and cyclists and will increase congestion on St. Clair.
Mayor David Miller said more work needs to be done. "We'll continue to find a balance between excellent transit and addressing local issues like parking for small business."
with files from Paul Moloney
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