Today will possibly be the last chance for the public to have their say on the Front Street Extension. The Works Committee will hear deputations on the propsal to extend Front Street from Bathurst to Strachan and then on to the Gardiner Expressway.

Throughout the process to approve this project many residents of Toronto have raised objections to the plan. One group that has been lobbying the councillors on this issue is Citizens Against the Front Expressway (CAFE). In a report that will be presented to the Works Committtee today city staff have outlined responses to the concerns raised by residents and in some cases outlined changes that have been made to the plan. You can read the full report here. (Front Street Extension Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design Study Addendum Report-PDF). Whether or not this report satisfies the residents will be seen at the deputations today.

Cycling gets mentioned in one section of the above report. Below is a quote of the staff response to concerns raised about problems cyclists will face given the increased traffic levels on the street.

(viii) Accommodation of Cyclists and Pedestrians Another common concern expressed by stakeholders was the need to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians within the Front Street Extension right-of-way. Between Bathurst Street and Strachan Avenue, the recommended plan includes a wide recreational path in the north boulevard to be shared by both cyclists and pedestrians as well as eastbound and westbound on-street bicycle lanes. The local street component of the Front Street Extension, west of Strachan Avenue, provides a sidewalk in the north boulevard, a promenade overlooking the railway and Exhibition Place lands in the south boulevard, and on-street bicycle lanes.

The other intersting change outlined in the report is the cost of the project. Originally budgeted at $140 million it used to be the case that for half of the cost of the 2 kilometre Front Street Expressway you could build the entire 1000 kilometre Bikeway Network that is outlined in the Toronto Bike Plan. Since that time the estimated cost has increased to $170 million and now in this report to $235 million. Again to build the entire 1000 km network of Bike lanes, off-road trails and on street routes would cost roughly $75 million dollars. That is less than the increase in the cost of this project. It seems City Council will have no problem approving this entire amount for 2 km of road but those wanting improved cycling facillities will have to begging to City Council every year at budget time.

The next stage for this will be City Council. If you have concerns about this you can contact your local Councillor. You can go to the City Councillors page to find the name of your Councillor and their contact information. You can also make your views known to the Mayor