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ravine construction Toronto
February 10, 2022

Metrolinx faces backlash after starting controversial construction in Toronto ravine

As Metrolinx forges ahead on its contentious Lakeshore East rail corridor expansion this week, the head of the regional transit agency has had to release a letter to the public responding to backlash for cutting through the environmentally sensitive Small’s Creek ravine.

Residents, political figures, community groups and more have long rallied against aspects the project, asking Metrolinx to amend its work plans to help preserve the forested area south of Danforth between Coxwell and Woodbine.

Though the transportation body eventually vowed to take in more community input and better work with stakeholders, it seems that swaths of 100-year-old trees are currently in the process of being removed and wetlands disturbed nonetheless, to the dismay of locals.

Community action groups are calling the agency out for the “irreversible damage” and a “total lack of genuine community engagement,” telling the CBC on Tuesday that Metrolinx is not abiding by a council motion seeking alternative proposals for how the work could be completed.

Promises to create a working group to restore the area never came to fruition, and community engagement meetings were cancelled. On Friday, the transportation body brought in excavators to clear parts of the area to build a new retaining wall and replace a collapsed water culvert.

The new letter from President and CEO Phil Verster assures residents that Metrolinx has indeed “reduced the scale of vegetation removal and has committed further restoration efforts,” all the while appreciating community input.

Keep reading on blogTO


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