Item - 2025.TE24.66

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to work with Metrolinx to assess opportunities as part of the implementation of the Truck Haul Route Plan for Exhibition Station,and report back to the September 18, 2025, meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council with recommendations and details on:

a. prohibiting northbound and southbound Ontario Line heavy truck traffic on Dufferin Street, north of Queen Street West, in both mixed traffic and dedicated bus lanes;

b. ensuring that future changes are coordinated with the planned implementation of transit priority measures on Dufferin Street and measures in the Congestion Management Plan; and

c. an expanded map to show the full onward direction of travel for the Haul Route.

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to present a robust public consultation plan from Metrolinx for the Haul Route from the Gerrard Portal at the September 18, 2025 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council prior to any City approvals.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Executive Director, Transit Expansion and the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services to work with Metrolinx to ensure that, prior to any haul route use, Metrolinx completes a detailed structural assessment of the Dufferin Street Bridge over the GO rail corridor, a temporary modular bridge that has exceeded its intended service life, to determine the number of construction trucks, truck loading, and overall structural capacity in light of the anticipated use for the Ontario Line construction haulage, and further, that Metrolinx completes any necessary strengthening or interim remedial work identified through the assessment to ensure the bridge remains safe for general traffic and haul route operations until a full replacement or rehabilitation of the bridge can be undertaken.

4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to request Metrolinx to immediately install an acoustic shelter for the south construction site of the Ontario Line Queen-Spadina Station, to address the significant noise and dust impacts to the surrounding community.

5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to reiterate City Council’s requests to Metrolinx on Community Benefits through Items 2023.TM2.1 and 2024.TE10.40, and furthermore request Metrolinx take the follow actions:

a. identify concrete actions and opportunities to increase rates of local hiring for the construction of the Ontario Line;

b. increase transparency and public reporting for Metrolinx's Community Benefits and Supports Program by releasing data that is broken down by project and provided semi-annually; and

c. establish clear governance for the Toronto Stakeholder Working Group and convene meetings on a quarterly basis.

6. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion,  in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Community Services and the local Councillor, to ensure that the replanting plan and maintenance for the Don Valley be shared publicly and that any consideration of parkland dedication be considered only after all maintenance related matters be finalized.

7. City Council request the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to notify Metrolinx that a rat management plan should be in the Construction Management Plan as an advisory comment through the Notice of Completed Review process for Metrolinx-led transit projects.

8. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to request Metrolinx to:

a. identify and undertake mitigation and pre-emptive actions, including those identified in this report as part of its Construction Management Plans, to minimize rodent activity caused by construction of its transit projects; and

b. provide required supports to residents impacted by rodent activity near its construction sites, including compensation for hiring exterminators and to rodent-proof homes and buildings.

9. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, to provide one-window oversight on all negotiations related to Metrolinx work in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, as it relates to non-routine permits and approvals that have or may have significant impacts to City infrastructure or interests, with a focus on achieving the outcomes identified in EX15.2 – Priorities in Transit Expansion and Transit-Oriented Communities Projects.

10. City Council direct all applicable Division Heads to consult with the Executive Director, Transit Expansion regarding any negotiations by their respective Divisions related to Metrolinx work, in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, as it relates to non-routine permits and approvals.

City Council on June 25 and 26, 2025, referred Item TE23.29 to the July 8, 2025, meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council for consideration.

Summary from the report (May 20, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion

The purpose of this report is to provide updates on the status of construction activities on the Ontario Line project within the boundaries of Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC). This report includes updates on:

- Station specific construction issues and status of the four major packages of work Metrolinx has awarded to deliver the Ontario Line (Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance; Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel; Elevated Guideway and Stations; and Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations).

- A summary of Metrolinx’s responses and actions to implement the Subcommittee on Metrolinx’s Ontario Line Construction Recommendations.

- A summary of Metrolinx’s outreach for residents that require a Pre-condition survey/Building Condition Assessment and the uptake rate for the assessments.

- Other items related to the Ontario Line, including heavy truck safety plans and haul routes, station-naming, business supports and community engagement.