Metrolinx to Build Gardiner Through Residential Neighbourhood

The province's transportation agency wants to build a 3-storey "Gardiner for GO Trains" through a residential Toronto neighbourhood — even though the city opposes the plan.

More than 700 area residents have joined the "Davenport Deserves Better" campaign. This weekend, the Options for Davenport committee distributed 100 lawn signs to local residents and businesses and collected more than 700 signatures in protest of the overpass.

The group says the structure Metrolinx has proposed is unprecedented in North America.

"Metrolinx wants to drop a Gardiner for GO Trains in the middle of Davenport, literally within metres of playgrounds, houses, and coffee shops. It's devastating," said committee chair Laura Zeglen. "We absolutely support expanding the Barrie GO line. Just put it underground like the city has asked."

The agency initially told city staff it would delay an environmental assessment until Spring in order to study the issue, but shortly after making the promise, Metrolinx backtracked and announced it would proceed in January.