Item - 2026.TE29.68

The Toronto and East York Community Council: 

1.  Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to include the following as a condition of permit granting Metrolinx trucks access to Gertrude Place:

a. require submission of a detailed truck staging and traffic management plan demonstrating safe and orderly truck operations as vehicles exist Gertrude Place onto Pape Avenue; 

b. require Metrolinx to fund and provide paid-duty officers, flag persons and any additional on-site personnel necessary to manage traffic operations safely and efficiently;

c. require all hauling trucks associated with the site display clear and visible project identification signage;

d. require regular street washing and debris removal along affected routes, with a cleaning schedule provided to affected residents and the local Councillor;

e. require continued snow clearing and winter maintenance measure to ensure safe access and operations throughout the winter season; and

f. designated site contact information for public inquiries and complaints.

2.   Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to include the following as a condition of permit granting Metrolinx trucks access to Gertrude Place:

a. assess and report on appropriate acoustic mitigation measures, including the feasibility and effectiveness of increasing the height of the existing sound wall, and to implement appropriate measures, as required;

b. implement enforceable site protocols to minimize unnecessary honking and avoidable noise disturbances.

c.  provide weekly advance notice to affected residents outlining anticipated truck volumes, including a daily breakdown of expected truck movements and identification of anticipated peak activity periods for each day;

d. confirm the methodology used to calculate the projected average number of trucks per day;

e. host weekly in-person Community Liaison Committee meetings during the first month of gate operations, including neighbourhood walkthroughs with residents and City staff, and report back after one month on whether such meetings should remain separate from the Pape-Danforth Community Liaison Committee; and

f. explore mitigation measures for affected residents during the most intrusive phases of construction, including by not limited to window cleaning services, and vehicle cleaning support, establish clear criteria for eligibility.

3.  Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to include the following as a condition of permit granting Metrolinx trucks access to Gertrude Place:

a. request that a month prior to any operations of the use of Gertrude Gate for hauling that Metrolinx be required to review permit conditions with the affected residents; and

b. request that Metrolinx host an in-person meeting one month after operations begin with neighbours, senior staff from Metrolinx leading the meeting and Transportation Services in attendance to review the first month of operations of the gate and effectiveness of mitigation measures and conditions.

In January, TEYCC approved my motion requesting that Metrolinx host an in‑person meeting with the community affected by the Gertrude Place Gate to discuss ongoing concerns related to truck access on Gertrude Place.

At the in‑person meeting on February 11th, it was acknowledged that continued use of the Danforth gate remains operationally feasible, though it would require on‑site backing maneuvers and a flag person, resulting in longer processing times and higher project costs. Given these trade‑offs, it is essential that the contractor operate as a good neighbour to the surrounding community. The recommendations put forward by residents are intended to meaningfully reduce the impacts of what will be a long‑term, highly intrusive construction site, and careful review and implementation of these measures will help ensure that daily operations are carried out with respect for the neighbourhood that will be living beside this work for years to come.

In light of these concerns, I am requesting that the following measures be implemented as part of the permit conditions granting truck access to Gertrude Place.