Metrolinx has issued an ultimatum to Toronto city council, saying it will suspend work on the Scarborough Light Rail Transit line unless councillors reaffirm their support for the project by August 2.
Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx’s president and chief executive officer, sent a letter to Toronto city manager Joe Pennachetti on Friday. The letter says city council’s recent resolution supporting an alternative plan, the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway, appears to contradict the master agreement signed by the parties last year.
“Our plan at Metrolinx is to continue to implement the master agreement. This avoids the significant procurement, cost and timing impacts on these critically required transit projects,” Mr. McCuaig writes.
“However, given the uncertainty created by council’s May resolution, we ask that city council reaffirm its support for the Scarborough LRT project. This would demonstrate Council’s commitment to the master agreement signed by the City on November 29, 2012. If this reaffirmation is not received by August 2, 2013, Metrolinx will suspend work on the Scarborough LRT project, pending clarification of the city’s position on the master agreement.”
The letter says Metrolinx, the regional transportation agency operated by the province, is engaged in two active procurements and cannot attract high quality bidders if there is uncertainty about council’s support.
The letter also says the Toronto Transit Commission has estimated the cost of extending the Bloor-Danforth subway would be $2.3-billion, which would leave a funding gap of about $500-million. Mr. McCuaig says the actual funding gap would be in excess of $925-million.
In an interview, Mr. McCuaig said Metrolinx is simply looking for clarity.
“What we would really like to see is an affirmation from the city that they continue to support the project,” he said.
He said Metrolinx could, in theory, continue on with the project even without the reaffirmation because there is a signed master agreement. “But, again, we’re concerned that it creates a challenge as we go through the procurement process,” he added.
There is only one more council meeting scheduled to occur before August 2, on July 16 and July 17.
A group of city councillors, including TTC chair Karen Stintz, revived plans for the Scarborough subway in late April as part of talks on new fees and taxes for building transit.
Ms. Stintz, in an interview Friday, said she was given no warning about the Metrolinx ultimatum even though she met with Minister of Transportation Glen Murray and his deputy minister last week.
“This is absolutely, 100 per cent news to me,” she said after reading a copy of the letter.
Ms. Stintz said she is asking for a meeting with Mr. Murray next week, along with Scarborough councillors, to clarify what is needed from council. She said she also plans to take issue with the costs cited by Metrolinx.
“I think this is the right subway for Scarborough,” she said. “I am glad the minister is giving us a final opportunity to consider whether we wish to pursue this.”
The letter comes one day after the resignation of Scarborough Liberal MPP Margarett Best, a move that means the government must face Scarborough voters in a by-election.
