Metrolinx is moving ahead on the environmental assessment for a light rail vehicle maintenance and storage facility needed for a Finch West LRT that is still being hotly debated by city councillors and businesses in the area.

The study for the transit line itself was done in 2010. But it didn’t include a storage facility, something the provincial agency is proposing to build on a 20-acre parcel of land east of Highway 400 on the north side of Finch between Norfinch Dr. and York Gate Blvd.

The first public meeting showcasing the plans for the LRV barn was held Wednesday evening. But there will be two more chances to view the proposal in the fall.

The cost of the facility is included in the $1 billion provincial funding for the new transit line that will run about 11 kilometres from Yonge St. west to Humber College with 18 surface stops. The storage facility would accommodate 75 LRVs, enough to accommodate future ridership, according to Metrolinx.

The new EA is a welcome development, said councillor Maria Augimeri (Ward 9, York Centre), who chairs the TTC board.

“We’ve done a lot of talking about transit expansion. It will be great to see movement on this plan. Light rail will heighten the livability and viability of the properties along the line and act as an economic stimulus for the neighbourhoods along the corridor,” she said.

But businesses in the area point to studies suggesting that the LRT will add to congestion because it won’t work with the heavy truck traffic on Finch.

A consultant for the Emery Village Business Improvement Area (BIA said there has been no formal discussion of the maintenance facility for the project but it will be watching the new EA process.

“What we would want to ensure is that basically the EA won’t impede the consideration of the BIA’s position on the Finch West LRT,” said Mary DiMambro of Sutherland and Associates.

Metrolinx has not adequately studied the impact of truck traffic on Finch, she said.

“What we’re opposed to is the design. It doesn’t work for this community. We support the LRT but it’s got to make sense for the community,” said DiMambro.

According to its website, the BIA wants Metrolinx to consider running the LRT underground between Highway400 to east of Jayzel Road “and potentially further west toward Islington.”

“Right now the travel times are expected to triple. That BIA is the largest industrial pocket in all of Canada and there’s an overwhelming amount of truck traffic,” said DiMambro.

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The LRT is supposed to begin construction in 2017 for a 2020 opening.

Other city councillors for the area don’t support the LRT. Giorgio Mammoliti (Ward 7, York West) would like to see the area wait for a subway and Vince Crisanti (Ward 1, Etobicoke North) has suggested bus rapid transit would be a better option.

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