Item - 2026.MM42.41

Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak, recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in partnership with Metrolinx and in consultation with the Executive Director, Transit Expansion and adjacent landowners, to initiate and complete a feasibility study and initial design work to implement a direct pedestrian walkway from Stephenson Avenue to provide access to the Danforth GO Transit platform in a manner that prioritizes safety, customer experience, and quality of design, with the study beginning in 2026.
  

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in partnership with Metrolinx and in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, the Executive Director, Transit Expansion and adjacent landowners, to report to Toronto and East York Community Council with a summary of the feasibility study and required next steps to enable the construction of the pedestrian connection between Stephenson Avenue and the Danforth GO Transit Station, following the completion of the feasibility study and no later than the third quarter of 2027.
 

3. City Council amend the 2026-2035 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services by $250,000 gross, $0 debt, to create a new capital sub-project for the purpose of a feasibility study and initial design work to implement a direct pedestrian walkway from Stephenson Avenue to provide access to the Danforth GO Transit platform (CTP826-04) , fully funded by Section 37 (Planning Act Reserve Fund) community benefits obtained from the following developments in the following amounts:

a. 6 Dawes Road (Source Account: XR3026-3701419) in the amount of $76,668.18;

b. 10, 10A, 12, 18, 20 and 30 Dawes Road (Source Account: XR3026-3701424) in the amount of $76,408.29; and

c. 286-294 Main Street and 144 Stephenson Avenue (Source Account: XR3026-3701173) in the amount of $96,923.53.

As a city, we should always be working to make it easier for residents to use our transit systems, which includes looking at ways to improve access points.

Residents have identified the need for a safer and more direct pedestrian connection from Stephenson Avenue to the Danforth GO platform. Currently, access to the station is only available on the east side of Main Street, which presents several challenges for pedestrians coming from the west including the use of multiple stairs, insufficient lighting, and the need to navigate busy traffic without a convenient safe pedestrian crossing.

Finding a way to create a direct pedestrian connection from Stephenson Avenue to the Danforth GO Transit platform will greatly improve connectivity in the neighbourhood and access to public transportation.

This motion directs city staff to undertake a feasibility study and initial design work for a pedestrian connection, taking a concrete step towards building this important new link which would need to be delivered in partnership with Metrolinx and coordination with adjacent landowners.