Toronto's $50 billion mass transit expansion/greening ambitions

[marmar]

from the Toronto Sun:



News Toronto & GTA
Massive $50B transit project approved
By BRYN WEESE, SUN MEDIA


Commuting without a car could get a lot easier -- in 25 years.

And one of the first rapid transit projects to make that happen will break ground in northeastern Toronto next year.

The board of directors for Metrolinx unanimously passed yesterday its ambitious 25-year $50 billion project to build more than 1,200 kms of rapid transit lines throughout the GTA and Hamilton.

The massive infrastructure project, called The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the GTAH, surprised many when it was released in early October and did not include tolls for the Gardiner Expressway or the Don Valley Parkway.

When it's fully implemented, more than 80% of the region's residents will live within two kms of a rapid transit line, compared to 42% today.

CREATES JOBS

It will also create close to 430,000 jobs, which many of the board members -- mostly municipal and regional politicians -- say is one more reason to get shovels in the ground right away.

"What the economic situation should do is encourage the federal and provincial governments to invest much faster in this plan," Toronto Mayor David Miller said.

The board has asked the feds for $6 billion.

"We should have created this transit infrastructure 25 years ago. We're moving rapidly to fill the gap now, but we need their (the provincial and federal governments') help." .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/11/29/7574871-sun.html