I'd favour a bridge as well, for the social safety reasons cited by others. As a general rule, I think tunnels should be the option of last resort for pedestrian or bike infrastructure. That said, I'm skeptical a bridge or tunnel is ever built unless the City makes the subdivision contingent on its construction. The Planning Justification Report says:
Notably, it does not say "a partnership between the MTO, municipalities, and Northfield Properties LP & Northfield Properties (GP) Inc.", which I cynically interpret as "we want you to approve this subdivision within the context of a pedestrian link existing, because otherwise the plan has a much higher likelihood of not being approved, but any pedestrian link is your own responsibility. Good luck working with the MTO and scrounging up the funds for it, lol!"
Quote:Figure 5 schematically illustrates the pedestrian overpass across the Parkway, creating significant opportunities for LRT ridership generated through the redevelopment. This overpass connection spans the Parkway to avoid conflicts with either existing or future Ministry of Transportation (the “MTO”) plans, contemplates the change in grade east and west of the Parkway, and utilizes Region lands and lands under easement by the City to access the Northfield Station. A partnership between the MTO and municipalities will be required to accomplish this important connection. Ultimately, it is anticipated that daily iON LRT ridership from the future population from this new neighbourhood could be over 3,500 trips per day.
Notably, it does not say "a partnership between the MTO, municipalities, and Northfield Properties LP & Northfield Properties (GP) Inc.", which I cynically interpret as "we want you to approve this subdivision within the context of a pedestrian link existing, because otherwise the plan has a much higher likelihood of not being approved, but any pedestrian link is your own responsibility. Good luck working with the MTO and scrounging up the funds for it, lol!"