With a quickly expanding population and increasing density throughout the city, parts of the Toronto subway system are becoming increasingly strained. Adding to this, the proposed extension of the Yonge Line into York Region would add greater volume to some of the TTC's busiest stations—particularly Bloor-Yonge—creating a more acute need for new transit to alleviate congestion on the existing system and increase accessibility to other areas of the city.

For Torontonians, the notion of a 'Relief' Line (more popularly known as the "Downtown Relief Line") is nothing new, as decades of rising public demand from many residents have fostered increasingly vocal discourse. Over the last few years, the City has gradually started taking action on the issue, with the City Planning Division and TTC conducting area studies to determine the feasibility and efficacy of potential stations along the potential line. Now, with initial area assessments completed, Toronto residents are invited to share their input and help determine what type of configuration would best serve communities.

Displaying the broad area studied for the new line, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

The area studied for the proposed line stretches north-east from downtown—connecting Line 1 (south of Gerrard) and 2—eventually meeting the Danforth at a transfer station expected between Broadview and Coxwell. Besides relieving congestion, the new line could play an important role in promoting social equity, providing transit access to some of Toronto's more isolated neighborhoods.

The study evaluated which locations provide the best possibilities—in terms of infrastructural feasibility, population densities, and re-development potential—for new stations along the line.

Green dots represent the most feasible locations for new stations, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

Above, the green dots represent optimal locations where stations would effectively serve locations, while providing minimal engineering challenges. Taking a closer look at the downtown study area (below), Bay Street was found to be an optimal location, with high employment densities creating significant demand. In particular, the King-Wellington corridor was found to be particularly suitable, with potential to (in the long-term) extend the line west along the existing public right of way.

A closer look at potential downtown connections, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

Osgoode, Queen, and St Andrew have been identified as the best connecting stations on Line 1 (above), with Union and King also a (somewhat weaker) possibility. The high pedestrian densities on King and Queen Streets (serving key destinations such as the Financial Core, City Hall, and The Eaton Centre) make them a particularly attractive possibility, as these corridors would serve a high number of Torontonians on a daily basis.

Potential connections along the Bloor Line, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

Along the Bloor Line (above), Broadview and Pape stations have been identified as the most suitable connection stations, with high pedestrian densities, together with good potential for northward expansion (both streets are designated as Avenues with existing right-of-ways) into relatively densely populated areas.

A look at potential stations along the line, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

In between the existing subway lines, the study also conducted an analysis of potential locations for new stations in the city's southeast (above). Stations along Sherbourne were identified as strong possibilities, with high employment densities and good potential for re-development. The same was true for the Front/Cherry area, as well as Pape/Gerrard, and Queen/Broadview, with the latter two also providing good connections to existing transit routes. A station in Regent Park, meanwhile, was recognized for its potential to address social equity and respond to future development. Likewise, the Unilever site presented very strong potential for development, with significant density expected in the area.



Lower population densities and weaker development potential, together with potential engineering difficulties, and increased environmental impact (as well as flood risk) in some areas meant that other locations were identified as less practical. However, these studies have yet to take into account a full range of resident feedback and consultation, so Toronto residents are now invited to share their thoughts on the new line (and potential station locations) with the TTC and the City Planning Committee.

The entire study area, with possible western and northern expansion areas marked, image courtesy of reliefline.ca

The City and TTC in conjunction with Metrolinx will be presenting the latest on three other related studies and the upcoming public consultations. Also under review is Metrolinx's GO Regional Express Rail (RER) study along with the City's SmartTrack and the TTC's Scarborough Subway Extension studies. Starting as soon as tomorrow morning, eight public consultation meetings will be held across the city:

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute

500 The East Mall, Toronto, ON

TTC: 50 Burnhamthorpe or 111 East Mall Bus

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Estonian House

958 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, ON

TTC: Broadview Station

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Spring Garden Baptist Church

112 Spring Garden Avenue, Toronto, ON

TTC: Sheppard Station

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School

99 Humber Boulevard South, Toronto, ON

TTC: 89 Weston Bus

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Hyatt Regency Hotel

370 King Street West, Toronto, ON

TTC: St. Andrew Station or 504 King Streetcar

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute

2239 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON

TTC: 43 Kennedy or 54 Lawrence East Bus

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Scarborough Civic Centre

150 Borough Drive, Toronto, ON

TTC: Scarborough Centre Station

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Riverdale Collegiate Institute

1094 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON

TTC: 506 Carlton Streetcar or 83 Jones Bus

Time: 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

You can find out more on the Relief Line site here.