TTC to move ahead with light-rail transit
JEFF GRAY
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
February 28, 2008 at 5:08 AM EST
Toronto's $6-billion plans to spread light-rail rapid transit lines across its inner suburbs are going ahead, the city's transit agency said yesterday, despite no word on funding from the federal government.
Queen's Park has already promised to cover about $4-billion of the cost of the 120 kilometres in proposed transit lines, with about $2-billion hoped for from Ottawa. But so far, the Conservatives have not pledged to write a cheque, although it has approved funding to extend the Spadina subway and for other, smaller transit projects in the region.
Toronto Transit Commission officials told a commission meeting yesterday that preliminary engineering studies on three priority lines - Sheppard East, Eglinton and Etobicoke-Finch West - were already complete, and the required environmental studies were either under way or scheduled for this spring. Even without federal funding, Mayor David Miller and transit officials say work will start with just provincial money flowing.
"I don't think Torontonians have taken in that this is real," Joe Mihevc, vice-chair of the TTC, said of the light-rail plans, announced with fanfare last year and then quickly included in the province's $11.5-billion regional transit plans. "... This is showing that it is real."
He said construction could start next year.
The TTC yesterday also approved a $1.1-million plan to hire 12 mechanics to replace a key part on its 182 Orion V buses, which it acquired in 1996 and 1997. The buses need new rear-axle bolts, the TTC says, as they are corroding earlier than anticipated. Without immediate action, all 182 Orion V buses would have to be out of commission by the end of the year.
While other similar buses, and the Orion Vs themselves, have had technical problems before - including prematurely rusting bodies and defective power steering - TTC chief general manager Gary Webster said there was no safety risk to passengers and that the buses were not "lemons."
Each bus is inspected regularly, he said, and there are eight bolts in each wheel assembly. When one goes, all will be replaced, he said.
The TTC also approved proposed artwork for the $93-million redesign of Union Station's platforms, after a jury selected a concept by artist Stuart Reid entitled Zones of Immersion that involves a stained-glass panorama and features bold colours and sketchbook-like designs.
