Danforth Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension

[WislaHD]

The Scarborough Subway and Smart Track are about to collide - John Lorinc

I am inclined to agree. I think SmartTrack will be the end of the Scarborough Subway once the true costs of both are revealed.

This will be a big test for John Tory.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

I hadn't even considered Toronto's debt limit. This is going to be an issue.

 

[innsertnamehere]

The debt limit is going to stick Tory in a very, very sticky situation.

That said, Smart Track is going to come very far under budget, no way in hell its going to cost $8 billion.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the final bill for Scarborough comes under the approved council budget now that they realized that they do not need to construct a new train yard or purchase new trains. The lack of new train purchases alone means that construction costs will drop by $150 million.

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

Build a train yard. Why wait for the DRL to be built first.

 

[rbt]

The lack of new train purchases alone means that construction costs will drop by $150 million.

This would be better described as a brief deferral. If the line opens around 2023 new trains would still be purchased for it before 2030.

T1s will be available for opening day but they won't last very long.

 

[smallspy]

I also wouldn't be surprised if the final bill for Scarborough comes under the approved council budget now that they realized that they do not need to construct a new train yard or purchase new trains. The lack of new train purchases alone means that construction costs will drop by $150 million.

The cost for the subway extension has never included a yard or additional trains, as the TTC has said (repeatedly) that they won't be necessary.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

 

[nfitz]

The cost for the subway extension has never included a yard or additional trains, as the TTC has said (repeatedly) that they won't be necessary.

In July 2013 when council voted for the subway over SRT they presented a $2.3 billiion (2010$) cost for the subway, using the 3-station Danforth/McCowan alignment. If you look at attachment 3 of that report the $2.3 billion included $262 million for vehicle storage and $125 million for vehicles.

In the final October 2013 city council decision, the cost was cited as $2.47 billion in 2010$ which was noted as being $2.3 billion plus $170 million for the SRT life extension, decommissioning, and demolition.

So the 2013 decision on the subway very much included both storage and new vehicles. If they are not necessary, then presumably the cost would reduce from $2.3 billion (2010$) to $1.9 billion, plus the $170 million for the SRT.

 

[Duck]

Our neglect of Scarborough RT is shameful - Toronto Star

Excellent article that perfectly describes how I feel.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

One of the ICTS Mk. 1 vehicles is apparently trapped in the tunnel west of Midland station. Should we go rescue it, or put it out of its misery?

 

[epcjay]

One of the ICTS Mk. 1 vehicles is apparently trapped in the tunnel west of Midland station. Should we go rescue it, or put it out of its misery?

And this happened on Friday morning.



And isn't the tunnel east for midland station?

 

[Duck]

No, it is West (left). North (up) of Ellesmere. What is that picture supposed to show?

 

[epcjay]

No, it is West (left). North (up) of Ellesmere. What is that picture supposed to show?

Fire or smoke coming from all wheels at stc station.

Right I was thinking Ellesmere as midland station

 

[superman]

Our neglect of Scarborough RT is shameful - Toronto Star

Excellent article that perfectly describes how I feel.

Someone seriously needs to promote the heck out of this. Replace the Scarb subway with Skytrain, and we can have more money to elevate Eglinton / Sheppard / Finch and provide proper rapid transit to these areas.

 

[Electrify]

Someone seriously needs to promote the heck out of this. Replace the Scarb subway with Skytrain, and we can have more money to elevate Eglinton / Sheppard / Finch and provide proper rapid transit to these areas.

Pretty sure it was discussed a few pages back. I know the bean counters have said that it is too expensive now, but these same bean counters also claim the average Metro pass user uses the TTC 75 times a month...

That said, if we do keep the SRT or convert it to standard LRT, we need to seriously address the urban planning around the line. I could see a European mid rise and mixed use neighbourhood between Midland and Ellesmere stations, and a new urban growth centre around Kennedy.

Regarding the latter, it may be necessary if the (S)LRT and subway are abandoned due to Smart Track. Scarborough Centre would no longer be connected by any rapid transit, making it the only growth centre in Toronto to hold this dubious distinction.

 

[salsa]

Someone seriously needs to promote the heck out of this. Replace the Scarb subway with Skytrain, and we can have more money to elevate Eglinton / Sheppard / Finch and provide proper rapid transit to these areas.

So you want to save money on the SRT replacement, in order to waste it on Finch, Sheppard, and Eglinton instead.