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NotACop123
New Member
I just can't wait until 2050 when some mayoral candidate campaigns on converting the Eglinton Crosstown to a true subway.
cplchanb
Senior Member
truthfully tbh i dont think theres any point in firing him at this stage of construction... they are close to finishing and they need this done asap. to fire and rehire would only throw the project into more chaos
that we cant afford. i suspect though that this will be his last renewal unless he pulls some miracle work for FLRT and HLRT.
lexaprofessional
New Member
Agree 100% I think what would make the most sense is to keep Verster on for the current round of LRT expansions (Finch, Crosstown, Hurontario) and then look for a new CEO that can take Metrolinx through GO Expansion, the Ontario Line, Crosstown West Extension, and Hamilton LRT
toronto647
Active Member
But the argument can be made the other way too, wouldn't it make sense to have Vester there for Go Expansion, OL, EGWLRT, SSE and YNSE since he has been there for its inception, contract execution and probably 3-4 ish years way of their opening date? His contract will expire just after the next election in 2026 (December 2026).
Also who knows by then they will be knee deep in their next round of transit expansion projects (EGWLRT to Pearson, OL North, Sheppard E/W, Waterfront / EGE LRT).
I am just happy we are moving forward and not cancelling projects and moving backwards.
My only question is, if the NDP, Liberal or NDP/Liberal Coalition win the elections in 2026 how the current projects may be impacted or amended? Last election all parties mentioned no projects would be cancelled. But any change or pause could add years.
Sunnyside
Senior Member
well, ironically, most of the projects being started/not having started STILL came from the prior Liberal Government. They have no reason to oppose, say, the Hamilton LRT, GO Expansion, the subway extensions etc. these were either Liberal inceptions or are equally valuable to the Liberals. Not to mention shovels in the ground are a big deterrent to cancellations, even if not an absolute guarantee.
It generally doesn’t seem to be the Liberals motif to cancel public projects either. I highly doubt they have a list of alternative projects they’d want to see instead of what’s being built. The only area of contention might have been the RL/OL, but that’s water under the bridge. Ford only modified the Liberals version after all, so the only possible change would be altering future phases- which again I highly doubt because of the work Ford’s government is doing today to ensure steady expansion for many years. Dare I say, Ford is making sure that HIS transit vision is what future governments are forced/incentivized to build, whether he’s in office or not.
toronto647
Active Member
It would suck if Liberals or NDP come in and mess around with OL in any way shape or form... don't want anymore delays. But looking likely that Ford will win again
nfitz
Superstar
It's a bit early to predict what might happen in the next three years before the next election.
But that means it will be easy to late to integer much with anything already under construction or now being tendered.
drum118
Superstar
You mean June 4, 2026 is still 3 years away?
Election platform will surface late 2025 and be in place by Q1 2026. Don't see any party changing the OL plan at this stage and it will depend where the province books are for everything for who every comes to power. Anything under contract will be full fill and the ones at tender stage maybe place on hold.
Sunnyside
Senior Member
What will be important about the next election is that the winning party will get to decide the 'next phase' of transit expansion. Ford mostly took over the Liberals' direction in 2018 (after some poor attempts to alter it) but by 2026 eyes will be on what comes after the current phase. By the end of the term, it will be 2030; lots will be almost done just like today. Because it is unclear what is coming, that is where the parties' respective visions will be 'duked out'.
With little to go off of, it seems Ford is positioning himself around the OL and perhaps the full Sheppard Subway, but anything beyond that is unclear. My best guess for the Liberals might be Jane RT, but I can't really guess beyond that. Worth noting that it is not going to only be a matter of what gets funded, but how much we spend on transit. Ironically I think Ford will have more of an appetite for more than the Liberals. Something tells me the MTO's/Metrolinxs' (upcoming) 2051 Transit Plans might give an indication of where the current Government is thinking of going.
Steve X
Senior Member
They can go aggressive like Ford and fund stuff or do nothing. The RL/OL was just receiving money for designs and was many years away from being funded when Wynne was defeated. Eglinton West was being held back cause the surface LRT has balloon to $4b+ and wouldn't even start today if the city was still trying to fund it. It'll be in the same boat as Eglinton East LRT. The SSE would be built as an express subway to STC cause the SRT is dying.
I really don't think the Liberals would be this aggressive if they were to hold power. Ford's move is pretty bold. Although controversial, he is trying to deliver new project. Using ML's (lack of) expertise is really hindering things. Hopefully they learn from all the mistakes they made with the Crosstown.
lexaprofessional
New Member
One thing that I hope gets put to the front of the line for next round of transit expansion is 2WAD service on the Milton Line. Mississauga's ridings will be up for grabs and anyone promising Milton Line improvements (especially Bonnie) will wrap those seats up
drum118
Superstar
That what supposed to happen in 2018, but once the Liberals own the election, that platform plank disappeared.
The only place you may get 2WAD service is Erindale Station since most of the corridor is 3 tracks with that 3rd track missing in 2 location.
Add a bridge over Hurontario, you then can connect the 2 missing sections. Need a 3rd track from Confederation Dr to 427. Then need a fly under at Humber River which will put the 3rd track in for GO for hourly service without interfering with CP.. It will cost about $500 million that will be fully pay for by the province.
Going to 30 minute or less will have an impact on CP #1 track until a 4 track is built. Need a another bridge over Hurontario since all the other bridges are there for the 4th track. Cost about $1 Billion that will be fully pay for by the province.
Anything west requires major improvements like grade separation, widening of bridges, adding 2 tracks and etc at about $1.5 - $2 Billion that will be fully pay for by the province.
Allandale25
Senior Member
Where is she getting the $3 billion figure from? The recent Globe editorial? What's interesting is that the editorial says it's $3 billion over but this Gloeb article notes the Metrolinx figure of $0.56 billion over.
As discussed here, Metrolinx says it's much lower. $12.56 now vs the budget of $12 billion.
As discussed here, Metrolinx says it's much lower. $12.56 now vs the budget of $12 billion.
robmausser
Senior Member
The 0.56 figure is on top of already a bunch of budget increases. Thats the recent increase.
Its 3 billion over the original quote from like 2011 for the cost when construction started.