Thank you for your support!

Following the dismaying initial revelations of the Metrolinx construction plans in South Riverdale, Save Jimmie Simpson used funds donated through Go Fund Me to again hire noted health researcher Ronald Macfarlane to review the construction phase of the Ontario Line in this area. Building it the Better Way, the Health Impact Assessment of the construction phase of the Ontario Line in South Riverdale, has now been posted on the South Riverdale Community Health Centre’s website. It concludes “The most effective way to minimise the negative impacts of construction of the Ontario Line on businesses and residents of South Riverdale is to build it underground, mainly following the former Relief Line route… Building the line underground would mean less disruption to the neighbourhood, including less noise, less dust and less construction traffic.”

We have also used funds to have a tabloid newspaper, addressing the cost, speed and health issues of an above-ground Ontario Line, printed & delivered throughout our neighbourhood. Lawn signs urging the underground option have also been circulated in the area. And we are planning to place a highly visible sign in the community. This has all been made possible through your donations.

While we will continue to advocate for the Ontario Line to be built underground through South Riverdale, at this point we do not require additional funding. Your support has been much appreciated; thank you.

“It’s going to be a mess for years!”

As described at the March 30th community meeting held by Councillor Paula Fletcher, our entire neighbourhood and beyond will be significantly impacted by construction for the Ontario Line.

  • Potential closure of all lanes near the rail line on Queen, Dundas, Logan or Eastern on various weekends or weekdays

  • Long-term closure of the north and south curb lanes around rail bridges

  • Closure of the cycle track under the Dundas St. Bridge for two years

  • Up to 100 dump trucks a day removing soil from the Riverdale (No Frills) Plaza site

  • Removal and injury of many mature City trees

 And this is just the estimated 2 years of ‘early works’ for the Eastern to Gerrard section.  There’s much more to come!

If the Ontario Line is built underground, most of these disruptions will not need to happen.

Tree massacre

In spite of the fact that the Metrolinx Environmental Assessment (see below) excludes the neighbourhood east of Pape from its study area, they are cutting down trees along the rail line now! These photos were taken by SJS supporters who have gone out to witness and document this destruction.

Shaded in blue represents the area studied. Metrolinx’s GO Environmental Assessment excluded our neighbourhood (Eastern to Pape) from the study area. Metrolinx should not be cutting down trees outside the study area!