TORONTO – Construction on the new link between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station, the city’s busiest commuter hub, is off to a strong start.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced on Tuesday that the Air Rail Link is moving forward and will be in service for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games.
“Even in a tough global economy, we’re moving ahead with vital infrastructure because it creates jobs for families today and strengthens our economy for the long-term,” said McGuinty in a press release. “It just makes sense to provide efficient, convenient transportation between Canada’s busiest airport and Union Station,” he said.
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The link will operate on a 25-kilometre rail route, connecting the city’s airport and the downtown train station. It will also share the GO Transit rail service along the Kitchener line.
According to McGuinty, the rail link will remove approximately 1.2 million car trips in its first year of operation.
Some residents in a west-end Toronto neighbourhood have pleaded with the premier to abandon the plans to use diesel trains along the rail link.
The group held a rally on Sunday to call on McGuinty to reverse the decision in favour of an electric rail system.
They’re concerned diesel trains will bring noise and pollution through their neighbourhoods.
-with files from The Canadian Press
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