ehlow
Senior Member
It's not like there are construction crews ready to build on Sheppard right now though. It's been delayed pretty far off into the future as-is. Meanwhile, the funding for it is just sitting there. If we were working on the same relative completion timelines as 2010 though, then I'd agree with you.
Eglinton West is probably the least controversial LRT project Toronto could undertake right now. It's an extension on (for all intents and purposes) an existing line, and there are enough design options to satisfy most people's concerns, whether valid concerns or not.
An incomplete Eglinton will always be one of those "yeah, we should really finish that one of these days" projects. Not flashy enough on a political level to warrant major attention (see: DRL, Sheppard, Scarborough Subway), but still enough of a priority that it doesn't deserve to be in the same pile as the Scarborough-Malvern or Jane LRTs.
The question is though is Sheppard East the best use of those funds right now. Scarborough is already getting a subway extension, which further reduces the need for LRT on Sheppard. Yes, there is merit in the "build it now so they'll have no choice but to convert the subway later" option, but overall I think Sheppard can and should be left on the backburner for the time being.
On the condition that things actually happen and transit lines are actually built, I agree with you and would actually prefer Eglinton to be finished to the airport.
I just worry about the message that would be sent by changing plans yet again and I think much of the population is sick of transit debates & flip-flopping and want progress to be made.