Rail link approved between Union Station, Pearson

Ontario's environment minister says the government has put some 'very tough conditions' on Metrolinx to ensure the province has the best possible transit system.

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Commuters rush onto a commuter train as it pulls up to the platform at Toronto's Union Station Tuesday, March 4, 2008. (J.P. Moczulski / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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ctvtoronto.ca

Date: Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009 3:57 PM ET

The Ontario government has approved a rail link between Union Station and Pearson International airport.

The plan, worth $875 million is meant to ease congestion for the five million people who go to the airport every year.

But 18 conditions stipulated by the Ministry of the Environment could set the plan back. The trains must use clean technology that is still in development.

The technology would reduce tiny particles in pollution -- which can be harmful to health -- by 90 per cent versus regular engines using low-sulphur fuel. The technology is known as the Tier 4 emissions standard, which is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environment Minister John Gerretsen said he believes the technology should be complete by 2015.

"It's all about getting cars off the road and getting people into transit," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Some opponents of the rail link are demanding an electrified train service as they fear the effects of diesel emissions on the air quality of their neighbourhoods if hundreds of trains per day are passing through the Georgetown corridor.

Gerretsen said electrification is too expensive, but said he's told Metrolinx about its as-yet-completed electrification study, "Whatever comes out of that electrification study, I expect them to implement it -- particularly within this particular corridor."

With files from The Canadian Press

Please Add Comments( )

Jessica from Toronto
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I think it's great that a rail will be set up between those two hubs. Hopefully those conditions aren't too over the top so to make this project unattainable!

PW
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This is terrific news for both Torontonians and Vistors alike.

Can they begin designing and building prior to knowing exactly what sort of train will be used? I hope so.

I also hope that they make it non-stop.

Kay
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Good news, but I just can't understand why they don't just use electric trains and make it simple??!

ANYBODY, please give me a clue! Are they worried we may not have a reliable source of electricity to run the trains?????!!

Faye
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It's long overdue and about time!

Jack Steele
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Re the requirements by the Government for a train from Union Station and Pearson Airport. The requirements seem to point the way for an Electrically driven levetainal train. While this is achievable as we have seen in Japan, it will slow the development of the transport system to much longer then 2015. I will probably noy live long enough to use it.

Brian
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This is overdue and I am really pleased that this is going to finally happen and to get there is going to be much easier than now

Terri from Toronto
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There are over 300,000 people living in the affected area. Even with using 'cleaner' deisel, they are increasing the number of trains flowing through this area from 50 to over 450!! What happens if the cleaner deisel isn't ready in time for the expansion? I am all for taking cars off the road, and increasing public transit, but why not do this in a way that is safe for our citizens, and the environment? Why does the minister of the environment not demand electrification of the line?

Jamie
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Of course they ignored all the calls for electrification of the line by local residents. What is needed is a downtown relief subway/train line that extends to the airport with 4 or 5 stops along the way... but I guess that would make too much sense.

Al from Toronto
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My prediction is that there will be a long list of case/feasibility studies and a long wait for the right "green" technology to be available before anything takes place. They should just use the cleanest reliable technology available and get it up and running quickly. Most big cities have a quick way to travel between the city and airport - wake up!

John from TO
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The liberals are sliding in the poles... The price of electricity is going to skyrocket... We are cheezed off at the municiple strike... Election in just over a year... Can you say Dolton is vote buying again?

Dont fall for it again Toronto. He's just padding his own pocket and is in no way trying to help us out...

Don K
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Build it already!!!!!! We've been hearing about this "rail link" for years and still nothing has happpened. Pearson Airport finally just got a train tram that takes you between the two termials and even that took years and years to build (and it isn't all that sturdy either!).

You can't be a world-class city with an airport out in the middle of nowhere and no real way to get into the city outside of cabs in rush hour traffic!

John Chow
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This does NOT ease effective traffic problem. Pearson travellers are hardly affected by congestion. This are not a rush hour event. Hardly alleviate the Toronto's congestion problem.

If truely want to design a traffic solution, run a high speed rail near hwy 404 from Union to New Market or Aurora, & from Ajax to Mississauga/Brampton.

Promote existing go trains with great effort.

Most of the rush hour traffic caused by 905'ers entering Toronto. Studies have been done on this already. Now, give incentive for them to leave cars on borders of Toronto. (1) Express train service to downtown(not a TTC way), & (2)free parking at bornder stations, along with (3)high parking tax (Yes. Toronto can impose tax)imposed on Toronto Parking lots will reduce congestions.

Taxing Torontoians doesn't solve the problem. Those who live along subway & high rise condos don't feel the pain of average Torontoians need. I can NOT rely on TTC to take my kids to hockey practice, social functions, any thing beyond to & from work.