An Environmental Assessment (EA) study is underway for the eastern Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard corridor between Jarvis Street and the Don Valley Parkway.

A survey of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers who use this corridor has started. Members of the general public are invited to provide their input so that informed, high quality decisions can be made about the future of the Gardiner.

The results of the survey will provide valuable public input about key travel behaviour and attitudes concerning the future of the eastern Gardiner-Lake Shore Corridor.

TTC staff will report their final recommendations on the site and connecting track route for the planned Ashbridge's Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility to the Commission. The TTC will be building a new storage facility for streetcars in the East End; the Ashbridge's site at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Leslie Street remains the preferred option. On May 19th, the public was invited to a charrette to provide their comments to three architectural firms.

Thanks to the Friends of Fort York for keeping us updated on major projects happening in the Fort York area, including the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge which TCAT has supported and provided comment on. Here is an excerpt from the group's most recent newsletter:

Roncesvalles will be reconstructed in 2009-10 and the community is actively involved in debating how to best balance the needs of everyone who uses the street. To find out more about the design proposals being considered and to comment on how to best incorporate walking and cycling into the process, go here.

Last week, Toronto City Council approved the following motions,
putting us one step closer to a people-friendly rail crossing at
Strachan Avenue:

"1. City Council strongly supports the Grade Separation Option which
lowers the Georgetown/Milton rail corridor, allowing Strachan Avenue to
pass over the rail lines, and

Disappointing news last week for the Safe Cycling Coalition
and other cyclists hoping for a second chance to convince the City to
plan for full bike lanes on the transformed Bloor Street between Avenue
Road and Church Street.

As reported in TCAT News,
the group representing cyclists joined a group of Merchants led by
William Ashley China who petitioned the courts to reverse the City's
classification of the reconstruction project, which did not require a
full environmental assessment study and public consultation.

Last Thursday in Ontario Divisional Court, cyclists joined a very
powerful contingent of litigants trying to reverse a City decision made
almost a decade ago. In the submission by a group of Bloor Street
merchants, aptly named Concerned About Bloor,
they argued that the City mis-classified the Bloor Transformation
process as a Schedule A roads project, thus negating the need for a
full environmental assessment. The Safe Cycling Coalition acted as intervener in the case, and also had the opportunity to support the argument made by Concerned About Bloor.

Though the goals may not be exactly in line, Bells on Bloor and Take the Tooker
now have some allies in their quest to force a full Environmental
Assessment process for the Bloor transformation project. As reported in
TCAT News, a formal
demand has been filed with Ontario's Environment Commissioner for a
review of the City's decision not to conduct an Environmental
Assessment for the reconstruction of Bloor Street between Avenue Road

Last week, representatives from Bells on Bloor and Take the Tooker
filed a formal demand with Ontario's Environment Commissioner for a
review of the City's decision not to conduct an Environmental
Assessment for the reconstruction of Bloor Street between Avenue Road
and Church Street. This project will remove parking, widen sidewalks,
and plant trees - yet no bike lane will be installed.