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City of Toronto and Metrolinx beautifying transit infrastructure with murals at rail-line underpass

June 24, 2015
 
The City of Toronto's StreetARToronto (StART) program and Metrolinx have partnered to complete a series of street-art murals to enhance the public realm in communities along the 20- kilometre Georgetown South rail corridor.
 
This second in a series of StART street-art murals in Toronto will be officially unveiled at the Bloor-Perth underpass (at Bloor Street West just east of Dundas Street West) on Friday. 
 
“Street art plays a critical role in reinforcing neighbourhood character," said Councillor Ana Bailão (Ward 18 Davenport). "We are pleased to partner with Metrolinx to add colour and vibrancy to the city's streets and visual landscape,”. 
 
Councillor Bailão will be joined by local artist Angel Carrillo and many of the other artists who contributed to this project on Friday at 4 p.m. to celebrate “Typography Masters” and "The Showcase Gallery" at the official unveiling.
 
The City/Metrolinx partnership involving StART enhances neighbourhoods, encourages walking and active transportation and transit use, and showcases the talent of Toronto street artists.
 
Launched in 2012, StreetARToronto (or StART) is an innovative, public-private partnership designed to develop, support, promote and increase awareness of street art and its role in adding beauty and character to neighbourhoods throughout the city. StART’s Underpass Program provides opportunities for artists to create works of art that contribute to the program mandate, make walking, cycling and driving through Toronto's underpasses more appealing, and strengthen the sense of place, inclusion and belonging within communities.
 
“Metrolinx understands the Georgetown South Project is being built next to communities where people live and work. The work we have completed in this area provides not only improved transit, it also adds to the livability of communities in which we work and serve,” said Gord Troughton, Director of the Georgetown South Project. 
 
This project is part of Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with fast, convenient and integrated transit. Working through its divisions GO Transit, PRESTO and Union Pearson Express, Metrolinx is transforming the way the region moves.
 
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms. 
 
This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1fC06Kt
 
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Media contacts:  
Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Vanessa Barrasa, Metrolinx, 416-202-5777