I'm just going off the rough english translation of what was mentioned in the LaPress article. Really the only thing that's changed is a portal to have an underground transfer, but it will still be essentially all above ground if the article is correct.

This is still a very, very minimal amount of effort in making the proposed line blend in better with the streetscape.

Suddenly the impossible is possible

A very odd curved link over the north, definitely fantasy category.

Was there not a suggestion IO did not allow transit signals? Yet there they are in the manual.

But that's kind of the point. Doug Ford and many conservatives have always derided the DRL as some excessive line for the urban elite. What you have instead is adequate capacity elevated line, but a overcapacity expensive underground line/lines in suburban areas (or just ridiculous like Eglinton...

Because Doug Ford is intent on micromanaging everything even at the city level and wants higher density than the city has zoned.

An uncertain regulatory environment will scare off investors.

I'll just say regardless of the indirectness of the route, connecting Toronto, Peterborough, and Ottawa on a continuous route to Montreal will ensure that this line has ridership increase potential.

It's unclear why 153 Dufferin property is required.

No, I definitely don't. The only way I see it changing drastically is if being elevated garners enough blowback for the provincial government to 'direct' them to make changes (and with CAQ having really no seats in Montreal that's pretty unlikely).

But once we ARE there the conversation will likely shift and elevated rail in dense areas may no longer be as desirable.

I was actually expecting Metrolinx to announce it being elevated along Yonge past Finch.

And Scarborough would be better served for it having multiple corridors of RT vs only one if it was s.ubway

BRT after Victoria park would likely be sufficient for the next 10-20 years

Cities are already trialing autonomous microtransit, it's really not far off. Tesla and many companies also have level 3 autonomous modes which can essentially drive themselves with the driver being passively aware.

Don't spend too much money integrating a piece of infrastructure that will be torn down. Automation of cars and telecommuting will make the massive amount of roads we reserve for single occupancy cars unsustainable.

I could not agree more with your sentiments.

The saddest decision in urban planning in Canada

Visit Winnipeg sometime. Portage Ave is much wider.