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And now, just three years later, the sidewalk fences are up again. This time, Toronto is modifying sidewalks in 120 locations on Dundas, installing a curb cut 10 metres back from streetcar stops so wheelchair users can board the new vehicles.

But Toronto ordered new streetcars in 2009. The city knew then that it would require curb cuts for wheelchairs. So in 2011, when new sidewalks were poured, why didn’t the city incorporate the curb cuts?

Brad Ross, a TTC spokesman, passed the buck to the city, saying sidewalks are its job. Steve Buckley, Toronto’s general manager of transportation, said the city poured the sidewalks knowing some “unfortunately” would not last.

“A decision was made to go forward with it, before I got here, knowing we would have to change them later,” he said.

He blames Ontario.

“The province came out with guidance in 2012 but they didn’t have any standards on what an Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act ramp would look like. Our staff in frustration developed a standard that would be consistent with their guidelines,” he said.

To install a curb cut featuring two “raised tactile walking surface indicators” (studded iron plates the size of coffee tables, cast at a foundry in Neenah, Wi.), the builder in many places is replacing a concrete patch the size of my living and dining rooms.

Overall, the TTC will spend $58-million modifying sidewalks and platforms to suit the new low-floor streetcars. It will replace streetcar platforms on St. Clair Avenue and on Roncesvalles Avenues, even though Toronto poured the Roncesvalles platforms after it ordered the streetcars.