As someone who has shot the full length of St Clair W as well all the construction since 2005, this ROW was worth it even been over budget and miss management.
Traffic flow a lot better and faster for everyone. Street scape looks a lot better with the overhead gone as well new trees. Add the sidewalk to that list also.
Even during the construction phase, you could see the landscape changing for the better with building being upscale, new business replacing business that die or were dieing due to being in the wrong location, not changing with time, landowner raising rents and new building being built.
The EA to take the line west of the Gunns loop has been ready to go since 2005, but it was not to proceed until the line was 100% complete. With a car Mayor in office, it will be about 2016 before the EA can get underway now.
Not that simple to take the line west as some would think. The whole south side has to be bought up by the City to widen the road to the west. Some of those lands are in the hands of the city at this time.
With the widening to take place west of the loop for a few blocks shortly, no provision has been allowed for the ROW, since the traffic engineer is a pro car person in the first place and thumbs this boss and City council when told to do so.
With the coming of the Stockyard Plaza, traffic is going to be a nightmare once built. The only work taking place there now is the leveling of the land. Construction is supposed to get underway in 2012 if it is to open in 2013.
Mississauga has signal priority over traffic where the buses come off Hurontario at City Centre/Rathburn intersection to the point that when there is a bus sitting there, the next green light will be for buses regardless if it is not the next one in order. If it can work here, it can work on St Clair.