Rapid Transit

[markbarbera]

There is already grumbling coming from local businesses over the consultant report favouring a route along King Street. The head of the International Village BIA, the BIA most directly affected by a potential LRT route along King (outside of the downtown BIA), has expressed concern over a plan that would place two-way LRT on King. She is concerned (rightly) about the complete loss of streetside parking in order to accomodate LRT along this stretch, as well as the impact reconstruction will have on pedestrian-friendly area, her fear being that some of the recent improvements such as wider sidewalks would be sacrificed to accomodate the LRT as well as street traffic.

Honestly, the push to force LRT onto King rather than Main is short-sighted. It is casting division among a group that should be uniting in support for this initiative, and for no good reason. Why not go with an option that will be acceptable to all parties involved rather than create an opposition that can grow into a deal breaker that could cost the city an LRT?