Toronto reviewing its proposed waterfront transit project and Eglinton East LRT

Dec 10 2020, 5:34 pm

The City of Toronto’s Executive Committee is considering key transit expansions on Thursday for two major projects.

Recommendations have been made for City Council to approve an updated design for the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit project and Waterfront Transit Network.

The Eglinton East LRT is a planned 15-kilometre extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT from Kennedy Station to Malvern, with up to 21 stops and three connections to GO Transit.

The line would provide transit access “to historically underserved communities” travelling through or adjacent to seven Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and “bringing higher-order transit within walking distance of 49,000 Torontonians,” the city said in a release.

City staff have recommended that the City Council approve an updated project scope with an evolved design that accommodates the Province of Ontario’s subway expansion plans.

If it’s approved, staff will work to report back on project costs, schedule and approach next year.

The updated project cost reported by staff is $4 billion.

Scarborough Transit expansion plans/City of Toronto

According to the City, work by Toronto, the TTC, and Waterfront Toronto on preliminary design and engineering for a streetcar option for the Union Station to Queens Quay Link is underway, with design work progressing and a cost estimate is being developed.

The project would provide new and improved infrastructure to operate additional streetcar services to the East Bayfront development area. The staff report recommends Council direct staff to continue work and report back on the schedule and funding for the Link and East Bayfront LRT next year.

“These projects will bring more transit to two areas that absolutely need it – the Waterfront and Scarborough. I am absolutely determined to get the Eglinton East LRT built because I know it will make a meaningful difference to transit users in Scarborough,” said Mayor John Tory in a statement.

“Waterfront transit, east and west, must be a priority for the city given the development both built and planned. We have to keep moving transit forward in all parts of our city – that’s why we are moving ahead these two projects and why we are continuing to work with the province to move forward [with] its major transit projects, as agreed.”

If passed by Executive Committee today, the report will go before City Council at the December 16 and 17 meeting.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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