ok...getting it now...but would the tunnel under the GO not achieve the same thing at no cost to the city? Money for the bridge could be used for/by another project of value?
There's not a straightforward answer to that question for a number of reasons but, as always, it's a worthwhile one to ask. In short:
- As the last poster noted, the GO-related plans are subject to change and relate to a number of different contingencies. The city has planned for a connection of some sort here for years and is obviously eager to get it built. The pedestrian bridge isn't contingent on very much and is fully funded.
- Related to the first point, we don't know from those plans exactly what Metrolinx is planning; to take just one point, will the tunnel provide access for non-fare-paying customers? Is it possible to make that happen even if it's not planned without great added cost?
- As you can see from the walking directions on the Google Maps screenshot, the bridge and tunnel terminate at different points. Sure, a 5-minute walk doesn't seem like much, but people are people and the city has a very specific goal in mind in terms of pedestrian flow and what this bridge will facilitate in that regard.
And I'm sure there are a whole bunch more reasons I'm not thinking of, but just a few examples to say: "it's complicated."