After a drought
of funds, a swath of new transit projects are popping up across
greater Toronto. Both the TTC and GO Transit are planning to upgrade
certain lines with new transit-only lanes, more route capacity and
extra vehicles. GO has has already started construction on new
tracks that will speed trains in two to three years.
There has been
no decision on replacing the Scarborough RT line or extending the
Spadina subway line to York University. However, yesterday TTC
commissioner Joe Mihevc gave me a rundown of other projects and
studies that are under way or about to get started in the City of
Toronto.
The proposal
for interim bus-only lanes from Downsview Station to York University
has been held up by a dispute between the TTC and school
administration. Mihevc said, “We understand an agreement has been
secured with them.” I was unable to get confirmation from York, but
Mihevc stated that the route will pass up Dufferin Avenue along a
hydro corridor and then through York University lands.
It was
originally hoped that the express bus route would be ready for
September 2006, but he said that’s now “wishful thinking.”
York Region’s
Viva bus network has now taken over most GO Transit service on Yonge
Street, yet anticipated bus-only lanes from Finch subway station to
Steeles Avenue are not yet in place. A city official reports that
the environmental assessment (EA) study for the route is almost
complete. Mihevc insists this project is “a high priority” for the
TTC.
He also points
to another study underway on the Don Mills Road corridor. This could
result in another north-south exclusive bus route.
Next year
planners will start considering a brand new light rail line “into
the Scarborough area along Kingston Road to Eglinton Avenue and back
along Eglinton to Kennedy (subway station),” he said.
The TTC also
wants to initiate a study for a new light rail connection from the
existing Queen’s Quay line through the Canadian National Exhibition
to the Queensway near St. Joseph’s Hospital and High Park. With
these two routes, he said “You can just see the TTC ramping up to
meet the demands of the future.”
On top of this,
there are at lest two other proposed light rail lines being pondered
for the waterfront area near downtown.
On St. Clair
Avenue, some merchants and residents have been fighting proposed
transit only-lanes for the 512 streetcars that run partly through
Mihevc’s election ward. He said the ongoing court process “could
take several months to basically resolve.”
The TTC will
also start to look at a new design for low-floor streetcars to
eventually replace the existing fleet. There are also plans to bring
in new, refashioned subway cars. One proposal includes joining each
car with an articulated joint, allowing passengers to walk
unhindered through the train
Riders will
also see 100 “growth” buses added to routes in 2006 and 2007 --
they’re above and beyond vehicles that are replacing older ones.