a group of people living in York South-West They are calling on the province to reconsider its transit plans in the area, citing concerns about how a new LRT could alter local parkland.
Protesters staged a sit-in near the police station on Saturday Eglinton Flatsa wetland area and park that is a provincial transit agency metrolinx Above is the plan to run its Eglinton Crosstown West Line.
Most of the western extension is set to be built underground, with a rapid transit line around Eglinton Flats, and plans are for riders to ride above the park on an elevated track. Protesters say the plan is bad for historic trees and the neighborhood overall.
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The name of the local resident group is Stop the Trains in Our Parks, or Stop for short.
Its website states, “The train expressway will run through Eglinton Flats (including Fergie Brown Park), the most valuable parkland in the city.”
The group worries about the cutting of trees, encroachment into the park, and the large tunnel entrance and exit ports needed to bring the train above and then below ground.
An indigenous group has also raised concerns.
On November 30, 2022, the Eshkinigjik Nandwechigegamig, Abish ga Binjibaying (ENaGB) indigenous youth agency wrote to the province to complain about the plan.
The letter said the group had acquired land to the north of Metrolinks’ planned LRT route in the park and opposed the above-ground alternative.
The letter states, “This proposed overpass which will disrupt many of our traditional activities which we will host for our future generations.” “Indigenous peoples have a natural law that we must continue to uphold, which is our role as land stewards of Mother Earth.”
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However, Metrolinks stated that a floodplain designation in the area meant that running underground service would be a nightmare.
“Tunneling the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension under the Humber River will require excavation of up to 30 meters for the underground stations at Scarlett-Eglinton and Jane-Eglinton, which is as deep as a nine-storey building,” the provincial transit agency said. said in a statement.
“It would be more complex, more time consuming and more disruptive to the community than an advanced option.”
Metrolinx said it was “committed to continuing to work with ENAGB” regarding the issues raised by the indigenous group.
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