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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle28208774/



John Tory’s SmartTrack transit plan for Toronto getting smaller, cheaper

Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack transit plan is becoming smaller and cheaper, with the promise of more frequent service, The Globe and Mail has learned.

Staff with the city and the regional transit agency Metrolinx have been working on how to integrate SmartTrack with plans to expand GO Transit rail service, and, according to sources and a draft government document, a revamped version of the plan is taking shape.

The latest estimate is that the proposed integration of SmartTrack would add $2-billion to $3.5-billion to the existing GO plans.

Although details have not been finalized, Metrolinx staff are expected to recommend adding only four or five new stations along the Kitchener and Stouffville corridors, and an LRT – instead of heavy rail – along Eglinton Avenue West to Pearson airport. The plan originally called for three stations along that stretch, but with an LRT, staff are looking at between six and 17 stations.

SmartTrack was central to Mr. Tory’s successful mayoral campaign – featured on his lawn signs and referenced in nearly every appearance – even though his policy was not spelled out. As a candidate, and then as mayor, he argued that he didn’t have the resources to hire engineers to work out all the details of what he thought would be an $8-billion project.

Those studies were approved by city council, with the results expected to appear in the coming months.

At city hall, staff are expected to concur with Metrolinx that LRT is the best way to serve the western portion of Mr. Tory’s plan. And they will suggest that the service from the Mount Dennis neighbourhood in the west to Kennedy station in the east be prioritized, with this U-shaped section and the LRT forming Phase 1 of the project. The northeastern section up to Markham would be pushed into the future.