Air Link Update - Weston Open House April 20th

April 17, 2009: Metrolinx has commenced a second set of ‘open houses’ to ‘consult’ with the public. They have refused requests from councilors and MPPs to attend any public meetings they call.

Please make an effort to attend these open houses, or provide your comments via their website (www.metrolinx.com).

They have chosen a design for the project, and have rejected all of the demands of the Weston Community Coalition. We want the system electrified. They say no. We want John Street kept open. They say no. We want a real tunnel, not a ditch with a tiny piece covered. They say no. We want public transit with more stops. They say no.

Their ‘draft’ Environmental Study Report is incomplete. The remainder will not be available until June. It is a brief description of the project, but there is absolutely no detail on how the environment will be affected by this project. Studies of air quality from receptors along the line will NOT be undertaken, as there is not enough time. Instead, we have learned that they intend to use computer modelling to try to predict the levels of pollution, based in part on an existing air quality monitoring station at 125 Resources Rd (Weston and 401 area). They seem to agree that the standards for acceptable levels of air pollution in Ontario are seriously outdated. However, apparently the project will only have to meet those standards. Several kinds of carcinogens will not be part of that study. Studies of noise and vibration are being performed by a single individual, we have learned. No details as to how that will be conducted are available.

Both the air quality study team and the noise and vibration study individual will apparently be attending the open house, so you can speak to them yourselves.

You may have heard recently of noise concerns about the construction of a rail ditch at the junction. Old technology pile driving is being used, rather than bored hole technology. The pile driver explosions are going on for the next 18 months. The sound level at a nearby school is 107 decibels. No information is available on the technology to be used for the construction of ditches in Weston or at Strachan.

Our petition to the legislature has been answered by the Minister of Transportation, James Bradley. In it he states that Metrolinx intends to consult extensively for several months before the EA is started, and that no decisions have been made on the specific details. With respect Mr. Bradley, the decisions have been made, the EA has started, and our concerns have not been met.

We urge you to write to the premier, the minister and your politicians. Metrolinx clearly will not be listening, to anything but minor concerns.

The dates and locations of the upcoming Open Houses are listed in the "Upcoming Events" tab at the top of our home page.

The names and contact info for our politicians are listed in a link in the "Write a Letter" section on the top left column of our web site.

Thanks
Mike Sullivan
Chair
Weston Community Coalition