Yonge North Subway Extension Steeles Station Design and Construction Impact Mitigation: Passenger Pick-Up and Drop-Off and Pest Management - by Councillor Lily Cheng, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak

Given the expected increase in ridership and local access needs, the absence of dedicated and well planned pick up and drop off infrastructure could create ongoing congestion, safety concerns, and traffic impacts on surrounding streets, as we currently experience around Sheppard Station. Early consideration of this function within the station design will support safer, more efficient movement of passengers and reduce negative spillover effects on the local road network. In addition, the scale and duration of construction associated with the Yonge North Subway Extension has the potential to contribute to increased pest activity in adjacent neighbourhoods. This motion therefore requests that Metrolinx develop a comprehensive pest management plan for the construction period. Such a plan would aim to proactively minimize pest disruptions and ensure that appropriate mitigation and response measures are in place, including supports for residents who may be impacted by rodent activity near construction sites. Together, these measures are intended to ensure that the benefits of this transformative transit project are delivered while also protecting local residents, maintaining neighbourhood livability, and integrating essential operational and environmental considerations into both design and construction phases. Reason for Urgency: This motion is urgent as it directly responds to the ongoing planning and implementation of Metrolinx's Yonge North Subway Extension construction at Steeles Station, as outlined in Report NY33.27, which is scheduled for consideration at the July 7, 2026, North York Community Council meeting. The report contemplates significant long term construction impacts, including full closure of Yonge Street, major traffic realignments, and extended construction staging within the existing right of way, all of which will have immediate and prolonged effects on local access, mobility, and community livability in Willowdale. Failure to address these issues at this stage risks embedding design limitations into the station infrastructure and leaving surrounding neighbourhoods without adequate mitigation measures. Early Council direction will help ensure that community impacts are properly managed, integrated into construction planning, and aligned with the broader approval framework being sought through NY33.27.

caused by construction and provide required supports for any residents impacted by rodent activity near Metrolinx construction sites, using best practices and insights from Metrolinx's Ontario Line Pest Management Strategy.