Quote:
Originally Posted by TorontoDrew
More tracks would have only meant a larger divide from the city to the lake. As it stands Union Station has 23 platforms, more then most large urban stations in North America. We could use more rail service in the GTA but that section of Toronto is not where it's needed.
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I get what you're saying and agree that the divide is unfortunate from the perspective of a better urban environment (and that's where scenarios like covering tracks for new parkland or other uses come in, but at large cost even given the corridor's width today). The problem is, that's where the transportation demand is so something is needed, but the options are limited.
I've heard about the Bathurst terminal idea MonkeyRonin noted. They could also reconfigure some of the platforms at Union for terminating service -- extend the shed and a number of platforms east and west, and have a wider centre walkway cutting across between them (though this may cause some pedestrian congestion within the station... would have to see how it would work under the current concourse expansion, where the choke points would be)
A discussion for a different thread, but I think we've done a poor job protecting for transportation corridors or corridor expansions in general, all over the GTHA, as urban development has spread and encroached on the existing ones. Especially for rail corridors, now that they've become more important again for people movement.
Regardless, I love seeing those old photos. So, so much has changed even in just a few decades.