Request from the Toronto Urban Renewal Network

Greetings,

The Toronto Urban Renewal Network (TURN) is working for safer cycling, pedestrian and transit infrastructure at The South Kingsway and Queensway Interchange (SKQI), a car-oriented area located in the southwest corner of Ward 13. Assuming you are interested in this project, we are taking the liberty of providing you with a very brief synopsis of what has been happening over the last several months and to ask for your help.

The City of Toronto has allocated almost $1 million to address safety and access concerns in the 1950s expressway style interchange so that it could be urbanized and shared by everyone: car drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and bladers. Unfortunately, Councillor and Pedestrian Committee Co-Chair Bill Saundercook decided to kill the City’s original “Link Road” plan in July 2007. At this time, the Toronto Urban Renewal Network (TURN) was established and, with the support of The Toronto Pedestrian Committee and the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee, we have been able to reopen the file.

After many months, the City is now ready to present a very watered-down version of the original design. The report outlining this plan will go to Etobicoke York Community Council (EYCC) for interim approval on July 7th and subsequently to City Council for final approval. TURN has been told that the new design only incorporates “minor modifications” leaving the intersection as a hostile and dangerous environment for cyclists and pedestrians alike. We find this to be unacceptable. There will not be another chance to make interchange changes for a long, long time. With $1 million in the bank, we must capitalize on the opportunity we have now to improve this intersection for the transportation needs of the 21st century.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

** You are cordially invited to take part in the “Ride the South Kingsway Cloverleaf” bike month event on May 27th to raise awareness of the safety issues at this intersection. More info can be found at www.TOrenewal.ca
** Attend the important EYCC meeting at the Etobicoke Civic Centre on July 7th. The more citizens we have at this community council session the more we can influence the process. Let us know if you can be there and we’ll send you the agenda as soon as it is made public. Alternatively, you can call/email Glenda Jagai, Committee Clerk, at 416-394-2516 or etcc@toronto.ca to have the agenda sent to you.
** Make a deputation (stand up and speak) at the meeting. Again, the more people who speak to the issue the more likely the councillors will listen. You must call Glenda Jagai if you would like to make a deputation. If required, TURN can help you with “talking points” – there are many!
** Whether you can attend the June 10th meeting or not, consider writing/emailing your comments to your councilor, EYCC members and the Mayor. See below for a sample letter you can use. Feel free to add anything you feel is pertinent. The list of councillors and city staff who should be "copied" are also provided.
** Get in touch with us and volunteer. We need your help -- and so do future generations of Torontonians!!!

Thank you for considering the opportunity to help out in any way you can. Please email us with any questions, suggestions or concerns.

Regards, Toronto Urban Renewal Network (TURN)