Northwest Toronto will soon be freed of level crossings

Dominion Railway Commission issues order for subways at danger points

Elevate C.P.R. Tracks

Canadian Press Despatch.

Ottawa, May 9.—Northwestern Toronto's death-traps must go. This is the decree of the Dominion Railway Board, issued today. The railway companies must eliminate the level crossings on Bloor Street West between Lansdowne Avenue and Dundas Street, while subways are to be constructed on the Newmarket subdivision at Bloor Street and Royce Avenue, Davenport Road and St. Clair Avenue, all to be full width of street and 14-foot clearances, and in all these cases, if the city requires, greater clearances than 14 feet, which is the statutory standard, the same to be granted, the additional expense, to be borne entirely by the city.

By the order subways will have to constructed at Bloor Street, Royce Avenue, Junction Road and St. Clair Avenue on the main line of the Galt, Brampton, Toronto, Grey and Bruce subdivisions of the C.N.R., and track elevation and grade separation must be made on the C.P.R. North Toronto line, with subways at Osler Avenue, Symington Avenue, Lansdowne Avenue, Dufferin Street and Bartlett Avenue. It is also ordered that subways be constructed on the Newmarket subdivision at Bloor Street, Royce Avenue, Davenport Road and St. Clair Avenue.

Follows C.P.R. plans.

The Northwest grade separation order will not follow the plans suggested by the city, but the North Toronto C.P.R. Track elevation will be in accordance with the plan submitted by the C.P.R.

In making the decision the board stresses that railways must have advantageous grades for operation.

The judgment continues:

I think it unnecessary to make any reference to the question of cost, because there is not very much difference in the ultimate cost of an of the schemes proposed, but the general proposals herein laid down are based more upon the requirements of the industries of the City of Toronto, and the operation of the railways both at present and the future, and the laying down of a comprehensive scheme of grade separation in that portion of the city than upon the mere question of cost, although, of course, that should play an important part in any matters of this kind.

The Commission then says that if the city's plan of elevating the tracks six or eight feet were carried out, it would greatly decrease the land damages, because the subway approaches would not extend nearly as far away from the tracks.

Industries considered.

"The matter," says the judgment, "must be looked at not only from the standpoint of grades on the railway tracks, but also the industrial sidings serving industries tributary to the railways."

For example on the Galt Subdivision of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian National double-track Brampton division and the Canadian Pacific single-track line known as the Toronto, Grey & Bruce, the maximum grade at present was 0.84 per cent. If the city's plan were followed, this would increase the grade to 1.04 per cent., thus distinctly lessening the operating efficiency of the railways.

Bloor West folk pleased.

C. R. Hillhouse, Secretary of the Bloor West Ratepayers' Association, only yesterday morning received a letter from Hon. Frank Carvell, Chairman of the Dominion Railway Board, stating that "an order would be made think." Mr. Hillhouse, President Murray Dralman and others associated with Mr. Hillhouse, in pressing for the elimination of the level crossings, expressed pleasure last night at the prospect of an early beginning on the work. "It has been a long fight," said A. Greenaway, one of the members, "but the results will be worth all the effort put into it."

A. Greenhill, President of the Ward Six Ratepayers' Association, another leader in the right for the elimination of the level crossings, also said he was glad that the board had seen fit to make the order. "It will be a big factor in the unemployment situation," said Mr. Greenhill, who hoped the work would go on at once. It is now up to the railways and the city to make a start, he said.

New crosstown service.

With the level crossings eliminated, as order by the board, the Toronto Transportation Commission will be able to give a new crosstown service on Bloor Street from the west to the east limit of the city. This has been very much desired by the Commission, who have been joining the city and ratepayers association in asking for the order issued yesterday by the Dominion Railway Board. At the present time passengers wishing to make a direct journey to Ward Severn from the present terminus of the Bloor line at Lansdowne Avenue, have to walk across the gap the Dundas Street, a distance of fully half a mile, or go a long way around by street car. The Toronto Transportation Commission is all ready to link up the ends of the Bloor line at Lansdowne Avenue and at Dundas Streeet just as soon as they are told to proceed.

The Northwest grade separation has been the principal issue in the municipal campaigns in Wards Five, Six and Seven for the past few years. All the Aldermen for these wards were pledged to support the campaign for elimination. The Board of Control and the Mayor have also worked hard for the grade separation.

Railways: C.N.Rys., C.P.Ry.

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