Improving Transit In Toronto

The Ontario government, Metrolinx and the Mayor of Toronto have reached a deal to build new transit services in Toronto.

Metrolinx is responsible for a delivering Light Rail Transit (LRT) along Eglinton Avenue and the Scarborough RT line, while the City of Toronto is responsible for delivering subway extensions along Sheppard Avenue from Downsview subway station to Scarborough Centre.

Metrolinx Transit Project:

 

Metrolinx is responsible for delivering the Eglinton Scarborough Crosstown LRT project. This includes securing environmental approvals, designing, coordinating, planning, constructing and implementing. Upon completion, Metrolinx will retain ownership of this transit service.

This project will be a single LRT line running about 25.2 kilometres:

• Along Eglinton Avenue from Black Creek Drive in the west to Kennedy Station in the east. It will run largely in a tunnel except for sections in the Don Valley and in the approaches to Black Creek and Kennedy Stations.
• Along the existing grade-separated guideway for the Scarborough RT between Kennedy Station and Scarborough Centre

The project will also include up to 26 new stations, vehicles, maintenance and storage facilities, and rail and signal systems. The cost estimate for the project is $8.18 billion.

City of Toronto Transit Project:

Toronto is responsible for delivering the subway extensions along Sheppard Avenue (east and west). This includes securing environmental approvals, designing, coordinating, planning, constructing and implementing the extensions.

Sheppard East

An approximately eight-kilometre extension of the existing Sheppard Subway will run easterly from Don Mills Station where the line currently ends to a new terminus at Scarborough Centre.

The project will also include seven new subway stations, subway cars, maintenance and storage facilities, rail and signal systems. The cost estimate (excluding a new yard) is $2.75 billion.

Sheppard West

An approximately 5.5-kilometre extension of the existing Sheppard Subway will run westerly from the Yonge-Sheppard Station where the line currently ends to a new terminus at Downsview on the University-Spadina Subway line. 

The project will also include two new subway stations, subway cars, maintenance and storage facilities, rail and signal systems. The cost estimate is $1.4 billion.

 

Metrolinx may contribute up to $650 million to the costs of the Sheppard project. The first priority for the provincial funding is the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT line.

Any residual funding, up to $650 million, will be given to the city as a contribution to the Sheppard projects. Where possible, Metrolinx and the Province will support the City of Toronto's efforts to obtain additional P3 Canada funding for the Sheppard projects. The City of Toronto will be responsible for project overruns or shortfalls, and for any losses incurred due to contract cancellations, suspensions or reductions. Toronto will also be responsible for the transit operations of the completed subway projects, as well as all related maintenance and repairs.

Finch West Express Bus Service

The City of Toronto will also introduce and operate an enhanced bus service between the new Finch West subway station and Humber College.

PRESTO:

• The PRESTO fare card system will be implemented on the entire Metrolinx project.
• The City of Toronto, TTC and Metrolinx will work together on mutually agreeable terms to implement PRESTO across the TTC.

 

Approvals & environmental assessments (EAs):

• Both Metrolinx and the City of Toronto will each independently seek all necessary approvals from their respective authorities and governing bodies. 
• Both Metrolinx and the City of Toronto, at their own costs, are required to complete environmental assessments for these projects.