According to the Toronto Star the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) has made its first step in moving forward with building a pedestrian tunnel under the lake, to the island airport which is hoped to be completed by March 2011.
The TPA just issued a formal request for proposals to conduct an environmental assessment, which is said to be the first step in development. The TPA is hoping to use a requested $38 million of the government stimulus package. However, the article notes that under the rules for infrastructure funding,
“…federal dollars may represent only fifty (50) per cent of the total cost of a funded project, which in this case would be $19 million.”
The Port Authority is prepared to put $7 million towards the project, leaving them negative $12 million that they have applied to the Province for.
In June alone, 70,000 passengers used the airport, all of which had to take a 90-second ferry ride to access the airport, which at present can only hold up to 150 passengers per trip.
Mark McQueen, chairperson of the TPA believes that the tunnel will promote an increase in daily flights, and stressed the benefits of the tunnel lowering carbon emissions and allowing quick access to the mainland.
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-Toronto Island Tunnels-
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The Toronto Port Authority should build the Island Airport tunnel, in Two phases.
Phase One would begin a sloping tunnel at the south edge of the Toronto Island Airport property, just beside the edge of Hanlands Point parkland. The Island airport side and the mainland side would be serviced by high speed freight and people elevators.Phase One would include leaving the tunnel boring machine in place,(deep underground) at the mainland end of the tunnel, only to be reused in Phase Two when the political climate changes at city hall.
In Phase Two, the Island Airport Tunnel would then be extended north east to meet the planned underground PATH system at the Rogers Centre, linking Toronto Public Transit and bicycle/pedestrian traffic with the Toronto Islands.
The planned Toronto Works fresh water pipe replacement project from the Pumping station at the Rogers Centre to the Toronto Islands at Hanlans Point) could also be included, dramatically reducing the cost of the estimated $35 million dollar project.
Vehicle traffic to the Islands would be restricted to Toronto Parks and Recreation and Emergency services only.
Creating another tunnel from Wards Island to the Portlands, under the Eastern Gap would complete a perfect circumference through the Islands and along the Queens Quay for Pan-Am Games and Volunteer charity run programs.
Add a world class aquarium where the abandoned Rochester Ferry terminal is, and Toronto would have an attraction to replace the CN Tower as a sought-after tourist destination.