WWLRT, we're not sure when or if it will be built. Same with this. But, if the Waterfront LRT is built, it will be intresting what will be the western terminus for the DRL west extention.
Probably Sunnyside (Roncesvalles).
^How does the Waterfront LRT fit into this plan for a relief line that extends west rather than north? How does this idea provide relief by reducing crowding at Yonge & Bloor?
I haven’t studied maps of population density, employment, income, development potential, etc. for the westward proposal but my gut says a northern trajectory (that intersects with Bloor around Dundas) will be far more beneficial to our City.
Few things.
A) We are moving forward with GO-RER and SmartTrack on that same corridor. Ideally, with fare integration, Bloor and Dundas will be well serviced.
B) Bloor-Yonge is relieved from the east, not the west. The Spadina Line is already the western "Relief Line".
C) Development potential in South Etobicoke is much higher than the stable neighbourhoods of the old city of Toronto that we refuse to touch for political reasons. Those peripheral downtown areas are also already transit rich, if you ask me.
In terms of population density and development activity, Dufferin is IMO a clearer winner over Dundas West for a northern trajectory, especially considering that the Dufferin bus is already reaching max capacity.
Personally, I think both options of South Etobicoke and a northern trajectory are
fine. Our system is under-built, period. We could have an entirely separate line as
@mikeydale007 mentioned above, or perhaps branching of the RL West might even be desirable to consider here.
As for Waterfront LRT, I think there are many opportunities there to fit it with the South Etobicoke scheme. Could break it up into separate lines with the Mimico-Long Branch section becoming a feeder into the Relief Line West, or you could have a short duplication of service between Humber Bay and Sunnyside, which I don't think should be frowned upon, it's called network redundancy.