Evergreen Blog | Down in the Valley—TTC service begins this Saturday, May 15

Blog May 12, 2010

Down in the Valley—TTC service begins this Saturday, May 15

The 28A returns this week. Photo: Tim Shuff

Evergreen Brick Works is a study in contrast when it comes to its geographical location in the city. On one hand it is smack dab in the middle of downtown, moments away from Yonge and Bloor and bordered to the east by highways, rail tracks and a commuter arterial road: the very essence of connectedness to the urban transportation system. On the other hand, the site is remote, nestled at the confluence of the numerous trails that make up Toronto’s incredible ravine system, removed from the day-to-day built infrastructure of the downtown.

When Evergreen took on the redevelopment of the site we knew that this was a double-edged sword and that making the site accessible was a critical hurdle to overcome. It hasn’t been easy getting to the site if you don’t want to get into a car. Biking has not been for the light of heart—to brave Bayview Avenue or the treacherous poorly graded trails. Public transit was nonexistent and the temporary traffic signal installed to slow traffic had no pedestrian signalization.

All that is about to change as we edge closer to opening day.

First up to signal the reconnection of the site to sustainable transit options is that TTC service begins this Saturday, May 15. Take the 28A from Davisville Station Saturdays between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:15 pm. Next up, our free Evergreen shuttle to and from Broadview station begins service at the end of May.

Stay tuned for updates on ways of getting down to Evergreen Brick Works. Some of the updates to watch for will include news on trail improvements, upgrades to Bayview Avenue that will make cycling safer, new at grade pedestrian and cycling connections off the Beltline trail, expanded TTC weekday service to the site, Autoshare vehicles and electric charging infrastructure for that new EV you are considering purchasing.

No matter how you get there, we look forward to your thoughts on these and other issues. Hope to see you at the site.