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Good news overall.

Somewhat of a concern is the projected cost of Eglinton line: 4.6 B (versus 2.2 B per the original Transit City estimate). It does not look like the scope changed a lot, so why did the cost increase so dramatically?
 
Rainforest said:
Is it certain that they are going to keep ICTS, or can the "upgrade" mean replacement with LRT?
Click to expand...
They can't keep the existing stuff because the equipment is old and cannot be bought new. They have to either convert to Mark II or LRT equipment. Either way, it's an upgrade.

Here's the Star:

McGuinty announces new transit projects

Apr 01, 2009 12:15 PM

Rob Ferguson
Queen's Park Bureau
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/611812

Four new public transit projects for the Greater Toronto Area, including a rapid transit line on Eglinton Avenue to Pearson Airport, are getting the green light from Premier Dalton McGuinty today.

But most of the projects must still go through the environmental approvals process, the government said in a statement, so it will be next year at the earliest before construction can begin, with the exception of the York Viva bus rapid transit line.

The projects, in concert with the TTC and the regional transit agency Metrolinx, are worth $9 billion.

The first will likely involve $1.4 billion in construction on the York Viva bus rapid transit system. A first segment will be built along Highway 7 from Markham Centre to Richmond Hill Centre with completion scheduled for 2011 – the year of the next provincial election. Construction will begin in the fall as some environmental assessments have already been completed.

Other segments of the line should be finished two years later, the government said in a statement that suggested the transit projects are just as important for the troubled economy as they are for commuters.

"Our investments in transit will create jobs, help stimulate the economy and improve the air we breathe," said McGuinty.

In Scarborough, rehabilitation work and extending the rapid transit rail line to Malvern Town Centre or Markham Road is slated to be completed and in service for commuters by 2015. Construction is expected to begin next year at a cost of $1.4 billion.

The 30-kilometre rapid transit line on Eglinton could be up and running by 2016 providing construction begins next year following the environmental assessment process. The estimated cost of the project, which includes a 10-kilometre tunnel from Keele to Leslie streets, is $4.6 billion.

Further north, the Finch light rapid transit line from Humber College on Hwy 427 to Don Mills subway station in the east could be finished by 2013 if approvals allow construction to begin next year at a cost of $1.2 billion.

Today's announcement from McGuinty and Transportation Minister Jim Bradley also includes financial support for a $3 million study of potential rapid transit lines through Hamilton – an east-west line on the King and Main street corridor and a north-south line along James and Upper James. The study will be completed by next spring.
Reply With Quote
 
Rainforest said:
Good news overall.

Somewhat of a concern is the projected cost of Eglinton line: 4.6 B (versus 2.2 B per the original Transit City estimate). It does not look like the scope changed a lot, so why did the cost increase so dramatically?
Click to expand...


The costs of Transit City were inflated quite a bit. Eglinton went from $2.2 Billion to $3.1 Billion last year. I don't know where the extra $1.5 Billion comes from - $4.6 Billion ought to pay for a whole 31-km subway, even by going by Sheppard's inflated costs. That's a very good question.
 
Now if there is one case for private sector involvement in TTC projects - it is for their project management expertise.

Another question - since Eglinton is going to end up at Kennedy anyways, can't they change the scope to have it as the replacement for SRT?

AoD
 
AFAIK, Metrolinx has always wanted Eglinton and SRT to be one line, with the same technology (ICTS). The rumours surrounding this announcement lend credence to that being where it may be going. I guess we'll see when the announcement is out.
 
Very interesting indeed. The push towards PPPs in the new Metrolinks legislation may also suggest that projects such as this could indeed be structured similar to the Canada Line in Vancouver.
 
299 bloor call control. said:
AFAIK, Metrolinx has always wanted Eglinton and SRT to be one line, with the same technology (ICTS). The rumours surrounding this announcement lend credence to that being where it may be going. I guess we'll see when the announcement is out.
Click to expand...
Or possibly both as LRT.

The fact that the early leaked info talks about a central tunnelled section on Eglinton implies that Eglinton may still be an LRT, unless we're talking about building something elevated. If so, the question is what will happen with SRT.
 
Sorry to bring it up again, but am I missing something. Where's the funding for the Sheppard LRT? Finch to Don Mills but nothing beyond there. What's up with that?
 
The omission of the Yonge subway is also interesting.
Presumably reporters will ask these questions at the announcement which is taking place this very minute...
 
ONTARIO TO GET STARTED ON NEW TRANSIT PROJECTS

McGuinty Government Creating Jobs, Building Better Transit

NEWS
The McGuinty government is moving forward on major public transit projects in the GTA, including:

  • More buses and stations and dedicated bus lanes for York VIVA Bus Rapid Transit.
  • Upgrading and extending the Scarborough Rapid Transit Line.
  • A new rapid transit line on Eglinton Avenue from Kennedy Station to Pearson Airport.
  • A new rapid transit line for Finch West from the Yonge Subway Line to Highway #27 and Humber College, and east to Don Mills Station.
The province is also moving forward with a feasibility study for Hamilton Rapid Transit (RT).
The projects are subject to environmental and other approvals and will cost an estimated $9 billion. Detailed per-project costs will be finalized closer to each project’s start date. This is a major step toward the McGuinty government’s goal of funding $11.5 billion in transit projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
This investment will create jobs, help move people and goods, and support future growth in the Greater Toronto Area. Accelerating transit projects is a key goal of the recently proposed merger of Metrolinx and GO Transit.
QUOTES
“We need to move quickly to build a better public transit system for commuters. Our investments in transit will create jobs, help stimulate the economy and improve the air we breathe. ”
– Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
“Today’s announcement means that commuters will have access to better transit and shorter commute times. By tackling congestion, Ontario is helping make the air we breathe cleaner.”
– Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation
QUICK FACTS

  • York Viva construction will begin in 2009 with the first segment along Highway 7 from Markham Centre to Richmond Hill Centre, completed in 2011 and all segments in service by the end of 2013.
  • Scarborough RT rehabilitation and extension is expected to be completed and in service by 2015.
  • The Eglinton rail line will run 31 kilometres from Kennedy Station to Pearson Airport and will include a 13 kilometre section built underground.
  • The Finch LRT will extend from Yonge Street west to Humber College and east to Don Mills Subway Station. Construction is expected to start in 2010 with completion by 2013.
Click to expand...

No mention of SRT becoming LRT. Differentiation in wording between Eglinton and Finch. Something's up.
 
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