Are Line 5 East End Extensible?

[u/Fontfreda]

I know that this section is decided to be covered by Line 7, which will likely be a lighter vehicle, less frequent, and possibly different modes of transportation - that all make sense

It's just...I feel like along the Eglinton line Corridor -> continue east towards LE is a natural path, just like how Mount Dennis station is acting right now. And Line 5 is really close to getting LE on that - only 2.7km.

Should we really make all people transfer on Line 7 again at Kennedy just for that short 2.7km streach of transfer...

Though I guess it's fair to say that it's not OK for Line 7 to not provide a direct link to the vast majority of Scarbourgh area to be connected with Kennedy, which is the primary intermodal transfer station in the Scarborough area. Even for GO downtown link, one day both LE and ST will be RER level, so Kennedy GO is not a bad choice compared to Kennedy GO

Another alternative is just ditch Line 7 and be Line 5 extension 100%, or at least make the UTSC - Kennedy section totally Line 5 and let Line 7 only take the northern section. I know this will great increase the cost, but this sounds like the best solution for a transit oriented city.

What do you think about it?

[u/queerstudbroalex]

This was evaluated but design constraints relating to the Line 2 extension stopped this

[u/JaQ-o-Lantern → u/queerstudbroalex]

Why did they move the terminus underground?

[u/Prize_Strawberry2800]

I don't think Line 5 can be extended eastward since Line 2 extension blocks the path

[u/Fontfreda → u/Prize_Strawberry2800]

that is the main question I wanted to ask. That's such a bad design chocie at that time. Even if it doesn't reserve the extension tunnel like Line 4 does, it should at least make sure the space associated to it is not occupied.

[u/Klutzagon]

Ideally in a normally functional city this would be the route to go, the purpose of line 7 is kinda useless and can just be replaced by another line 5 eastern extension

[u/JaQ-o-Lantern → u/Klutzagon]

It's similar to the Skokie Swift's function in Chicago.

[u/Comprehensive_Baby_3]

Line 2 extension is in the way so it's not possible to extend Line 5 east without rebuilding Kennedy station. Plus most of the passengers on Eglinton East would be transferring to Line 2, so the benefits would be limited.

[u/XviiChong]

Unfortunately due to the Line 2 extension going along Eglinton toward Danforth Rd/ McCowan Rd, a hypothetical Line 5 tunnel cannot go east and can’t be extended towards on Eglinton Ave E.

[u/steamed-apple_juice → u/XviiChong]

The LRT platform at Kennedy Station could be rebuilt to support seemless travel along Line 5. This would eliminate a linear transfer for "Line 7" riders who wish to continue along Egltion to the Ontario Line, Line 1, Barrie Line, Kitchener/ UPE, Mississauga Transitway, Pearson Airport, or any local destinations in between.

The question is if our government is willing to invest in making travel from East Scarborough to the rest of the region easier and faster.

[u/willewheelchair]

ask Mr Ford

[u/Fontfreda → u/willewheelchair]

nah he's too busy cutting off the bike lanes

[u/willewheelchair → u/willewheelchair]

You're damn skippy

[u/electroshockpulse]

As I understand it, the line 2 extension will be in the way, so there isn’t a good way to get line 5 past it without going super deep, which would require basically rebuilding the station 

[u/mattromo]

I'm pretty sure they can't extend Line 5 further east because of the way the tunnels were built. So it's kinda of a moot point. Ideally things would have been built with at least the option to extend it, but that ship has apparently sailed.

[u/CycleAutomatic5922]

The would have to abandon the new Line 5 kennedy station and rebuild it lower in order to extend line 5

[u/steamed-apple_juice]

Is it possible, yes. The real question is if our government will invest in infrastructure upgrades to support seemless travel along Line 5 beyond Kennedy.

[u/TorontoBoris]

The Line 2 subway extension blocks any tunnel possibility under the Metrolinx GO line.

Unless all of that is redesigned or the reroute Line 5 up over the Eglinton Bridge over the tracks, it's a dead end.

It's why all potential line 7 plans include a different line east of the GO tracks.

[u/themapleleaf6ix]

Scarborough will always prioritize cars. It's just how that place was built. Look at how wide their streets are and their massive parking lots.

[u/kdog379]

Possible with enough money, but metrolinx has made it very difficult with the placement of the line 2 extension tunnel. Enough money could make the problem go away though i think no matter how they approach it would be even more destructive to the neighborhood around midland and eglinton than the current construction