Aurora residents could be on the wrong side of GO Train tracks
Metrolinx to make a presentation to Aurora council March 28

Yorkregion.com
March 15, 2017
By Amanda Persico

With the coming 15-minute, two-way electrified GO Train service, Aurora residents could soon find themselves always on the wrong side of the tracks.

Pedestrian underpasses at railway crossings are a priority for the town and are part of the town’s trial master plan.

“This will make a difference for generations,” said Coun. John Abel at a recent council meeting.

But those underpasses are not on Metrolinx’s radar.

According to a staff report, Metrolinx “has no intention of including any pedestrian crossings unless the town incurs the cost.”

“This is a concern,” said local trails advocate, Klaus Wehrenberg. “Metrolinx is no mood. We have to send a strong message.”

Metrolinx is putting a priority on cars, Wehrenberg said.

“That’s not acceptable,” he said. “Aurora will be cut into two halves,” making it impossible for cyclists and pedestrians to go from one end to the other.

Aurora should not be asking for pedestrian underpasses, said Coun. Sandra Humfryes. Instead the town should be at the negotiating stage.

“Metrolinx will be plowing through our community, yes to provide service, but it’s going to severely impact our town,” she said.

Councillors are hoping Metrolinx will have answers in the coming weeks.

Metrolinx will be making a presentation to council March 28 at 7 p.m.

There are significant savings to the town if the underpasses are constructed at the same time as the railway is expanded, Abel said.

“Metrolinx is providing for their clients, but not for Aurora residents,” he said. “Instead, we will have to spend more money because Metrolinx is not interested.”

The town had the same request for the region’s Leslie Street reconfiguration project, where pedestrian underpasses will be built at the same time as road construction.

Councillors also want to see more regular updates from the town’s project co-ordination team as well as an itemized list of issues, tasks and projects.

The town should create a public action log so residents can see the progress made, Humfryes said.

“This is going to be a huge project,” she said. “This is our opportunity to get it right.”

Metrolinx’s GO Rail expansion project includes additional tracks, upgrades at existing stations, as well as a future layover facility for overnight storage.

Parking is another concern.

Metrolinx also plans to create 1,000 extra parking spaces by 2030. But councillors want to see a structured parking facility. Currently, Metrolinx rents between 15 and 25 parking spaces at Our Lady of Grace Church on Yonge Street.

Metrolinx is currently undertaking a number of projects including Aurora station construction, Yonge Street bridge expansion, track expansion to three tracks and Wellington Street grade separation.

The town has an opportunity to comment on each project and study.

There are a number of studies underway looking at the natural environment, traffic impact, cultural heritage evaluation and heritage impact, land use, air quality, archeological testing, tree inventory, stormwater management, noise and vibration and pedestrian underpasses.