Civdis
Senior Member
I know a lot of you on this forum dislike Doug and the PC Party in general, but it simply cannot be denied that Ford is more committed to transit construction than any premier I can remember.
|
|
|
- Thread starter denfromoakvillemilton
- Start date
6ixGod
Active Member
True, but at this point I think the writing is on the wall.
For Toronto to continue functioning, remain economically competitive and maintain it’s rapid growth, it has no choice BUT to invest in public transport. By North American standards sure it’s punches above way above its weight, but in the grand scheme of things (Europe and Asia) it is sorely behind.
The whole “just one more lane” culture is officially over. That is unless Yankee Doodle Lil’ PP and his Convoy Boys takeover. It’s scary how Doug Ford looks more rational when compared to Lil PP.
bearcat
Active Member
Isn't the 401 tunnel he proposed "just one more lane"?
Adjei
Senior Member
But what about the western extension ? Us west Enders need some love too !
stevedean
Active Member
While I agree to a certain extent about Ford pushing many projects forward - I wish there was more effort placed on finishing projects...
Eglinton, Finch, and Hurontario are all delayed (for various reasons) with no official opening date given for any of them. The Bloor-Danforth extension into Scarborough is stalled with no updates either.
Ontario Line seems to be the only project moving well right now.
Civdis
Senior Member
Definitely frustrating, but at least we know these projects will be finished at some point. Don't forget, some of these projects were initiated before Doug took office. Having said that, it is up to the current government to clean up the project management mess at Metrolinx and make sure this ineptitude is not repeated.
Sunnyside
Senior Member
Yes- Transit is a necessity now precisely because we've been asking a highway network to support almost-transit-supportive densities for decades. And now we've crossed a threshold where its simply not possible to keep funneling people onto them. This is especially true on the 401, since its a trunk for most other highways, but it is playing out everywhere. The region is too dense for highways to properly move every trip; we've compressed and accelerated the endgame of sprawl.
Select improvements might help on the edges (i.e. the 413), but we can't do anything about the built-up area. The compounding effect this form of growth is having is rare, but it inevitably makes transit the only viable answer.
Northern Light
Superstar
With respect.......3 of the above projects broke ground under Doug Ford Finch (2020), the Scaborough Subway Extension (2021) and the Hurontario LRT (2020). Ford came to power in 2018.
The Crosstown did indeed break ground under the Liberals, though 1/2 of its construction life has been under Doug Ford.
As for cleaning up Metrolinx. Doug Ford kept Phil Verster, the chief mess maker in charge, and gave him a raise throughout this time period.
The number two mess maker is Michael Lindsay of Infrastructure Ontario......who kept his job until Ford sent him to replace Verster at Mx!
You really ought not to make excuses for your politician of choice.
Last edited:
PL1
Senior Member
I noticed that one of the Liberal promises is to *deliver* a new line/station (I can't recall what, and I'm not looking it up right now) rather than just announce X project.
6ixGod
Active Member
Good point.
Aplus23
Active Member
This really should be extended both east and west in one shot.
Ontario line extended North
And the Eglinton east LRT and all the transit projects in my wish list would happen. The east side of the city would be really connected
Ontario line extended North
And the Eglinton east LRT and all the transit projects in my wish list would happen. The east side of the city would be really connected
JSF-1
Active Member
I would prefer both extensions are done simultaneously (or the construction of one starts while the other is still be worked on) since we have seen in this city that differing parts of a project to "future phases" has had mixed results. Either we get lucky with a situation like Line 2 in the 60's or the Crosstown West where construction on the next phase starts before the first phase has even opened. Or we get the Sherppard Line where the second phase still doesn't have a single shovel in the ground 23 years on from its opening. A large part of this is because we approach transit expansion in the worst possible way, with it occurring on a line by line basis instead of following a grand plan. I really wish we would adopt LA's approach to transit expansion with large 30 year all-encompassing plans that include funding mechanisms pre-built into them instead of the current piecemeal system we currently use. Hell we tried that with Network 2011 but then Bill Davis retired. I guess that's part of the issue though, it's easy to stick to a multi-year grand plan when you know your party isn't going anywhere, be it the Democrats stranglehold on the California legislature, or the "Big Blue Machine" here in Ontario back in the day.
Last edited:
Sunnyside
Senior Member
I'm starting to wonder if Sheppard is the kind of line that could be put on a slower, long-term buildout that would ultimately go well beyond either planned terminus. Don't get me wrong, I understand how important connectivity is to making Line 4 work (or not, to date...). But I also think every increment of this corridor would see major value immediately. Just getting to Victoria Park, for instance, would hit Toronto's second-largest job centre alongside a major bus route.
That's not to mention the value of places beyond the projects' scope. Regardless of how we do it, I think it's clear dipping south from Sheppard West is the best option, especially if the Downsview lands build another GO Station. And overtaking some of the Eg East LRT might be best for everyone. But those further-out bits can be refined as prior sections complete. I just don't see a reason to slow down how quickly this can create network benefits when there are major trip generators and connections fairly dispersed along its alignment and possible extensions.
That's not to mention the value of places beyond the projects' scope. Regardless of how we do it, I think it's clear dipping south from Sheppard West is the best option, especially if the Downsview lands build another GO Station. And overtaking some of the Eg East LRT might be best for everyone. But those further-out bits can be refined as prior sections complete. I just don't see a reason to slow down how quickly this can create network benefits when there are major trip generators and connections fairly dispersed along its alignment and possible extensions.
chrisw
Active Member
What if the western extension goes south towards the highway RoW?
bearcat
Active Member
I am not sure what you mean? Which highway? The 401?
Do you mean turn south right after Yonge? My understanding is there is already a tunnel that extents all the way here (see emergency exit: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MkTdwFpyAD4wYRvt9) which is straight west from Yonge along Sheppard and not close to the 401.
Or do you mean south after Sheppard West?
Can you maybe draw on a map what you mean please?
Last edited: