OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013 - (Page 22)

ADVOCACy IN ACTION TACkLING TRANSIT OSPE URGES ACTION ON SUBWAY RELIEF By Kristian Kennedy Concerned that public transit policies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) are not sufficiently underpinned by engineering analysis, OSPE published a new report in July entitled "The TTC Subway Relief Line: Let's Get the Engineering on Track." The report offers an independent engineering review of studies related to the proposed Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway relief line. GET ThE REPORT copy of "The Download your lief Line: Let's TTC Subway Re ring on Track!" Get the Enginee . n.ca/advocacy at www.ospe.o ghts, post Tweet your thou LinkedIn them to OSPE's an email at group or send us e.on.ca. advocacy@osp OSPE concluded that a TTC relief line is the vital link for the GTHA, if new subway extensions, light rail and rapid bus lines are to function as an effective and efficient system. The review makes several recommendations to help address public transit woes within a region that remains an economic driver for Canada. "After years of underinvestment and growing traffic congestion, there is no question that transit enhancements are desperately needed across the region," said OSPE President and Chair Paul Acchione, P.Eng. "After reviewing existing studies and data, OSPE believes we simply cannot increase the number of commuters if the capacity of the subway system remains unchanged." The report also raises concerns that the raging debate over funding for transit enhancements is eclipsing much-needed discussions about the technical implications of new projects. For example, the design and construction of a relief line must factor in a host of complex, capital-intensive engineering considerations, such as tunneling below built-up areas of Toronto's downtown core. The matter has gained new urgency, with recent provincial and federal government decisions to fund an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line into Scarborough, a move that will feed even more commuters into the already overcrowded BloorYonge Station. Commenting on the Scarborough announcements, TTC CEO Andy Byford echoed OSPE's recommendation that planning for a relief line should happen concurrently with subway extensions. OSPE's report makes several recommendations that must not be overlooked if transit redevelopment in the GTHA is to proceed successfully and deliver maximum value. Chief among these is that all levels of government must work together to set up stable, predictable, long-term funding for transit in Canada's largest urban centre. The report also emphasizes that commitments must be made now to get moving as soon as possible on the necessary engineering studies, which require a significant up-front investment of time. In short, it's time to get the engineering on track! Kristian Kennedy is a Policy Analyst with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Kristian can be reached at kkennedy@ospe.on.ca. MEMBERS GAIN INSIGHTS ON METROLINX, UNION STATION REVITALIZATION In September, OSPE presented an exclusive tour of the Union Station revitalization project in Toronto, along with an opportunity to hear from guest speaker Jack Collins, Executive Vice President, Rapid Transit Implementation at Metrolinx. Mr. Collins, also an engineer, shared his experiences managing the first wave of rapid transit projects and provided an overview of "The Big Move," Metrolinx's ambitious regional transit plan for the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area (GTHA). In response to the overwhelming popularity of this event, OSPE will introduce more tour opportunities for future Policy Series events. Stay tuned at www.ospe.on.ca for details on the next installment of the OSPE Policy Series in early 2014. 2 2 TheVoice Fall 2013 http://www.ospe.on.ca/advocacy http://www.ospe.on.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Newsbytes
Engineers of Influence/WEAC Fall Forum
OSPE-PEO Chapter BBQs
Tom Anselmi, P.Eng.
Profile: Bill and Bob Goodings
The 66th Annual Professional Engineers Awards Gala
Now Hiring Engineers?
Preparing New Grads for Employment
Canada’s Engineering Labour Market
Point & Counterpoint
Tackling Transit
OSPE Political Action Network in Full Swing
Energy Planning
Elliot Lake Inquiry
Intellectual Property
Learn, Develop, Grow Your Career
Grow Your Engineering Team

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013