[URBAN NOTE] "Some Corktown residents want 514 streetcar yanked until noisy tracks fixed"

[rfmcdonald]

Shannon Martin's CBC report highlights an issue I'd not heard of before. I have some sympathy for Corktown residents and their noise complaints, but not nearly enough to think that ending the 514 Cherry streetcar route is anything like a good idea. blogTO has more discussion about the issue.

It can be almost impossible to find peace and quiet living downtown, but some Corktown residents say the screech from the recently installed 514 Cherry Streetcar is unbearable.

"It's become a form a torture for us," said Jason Mednick, standing at the corner of King Street East and Sumach Street. "Equivalent to waterboarding."

The 514 went into service in June. The TTC introduced the service to relieve crowding along the congested King streetcar route and to connect new residential developments in Corktown and the Distillery District with the rest of the transit system.

But Mednick says the noise was instant and alarming.

"About every 10 minutes or so, 20 hours a day, we listen to excessive screeching and squealing as they negotiate the turn," said Mednick.

The 514 runs along King Street and makes a sharp turn south at Sumach, heading to Cherry Street on its way to the newly-constructed streetcar loop across from the Distillery District. That tight turn is partially what's causing the sharp squealing sound that's irritating many residents.