You're probably right, but if we can squeeze it into the $15 billion TC budget, it will only make it more attractive to be built.
Perhaps, but I think it's pretty much 100% assured going to be built now. Certainly we should include it in the subway network maps, as well as promote extension north of Eglinton (as well as building it to Eglinton from the start.) So I guess it can be a goal of the project/group, but not necessarily something we should be pressing for. However, we should be encouraging Metrolinx/TTC to look at an eventual extension northward to Finch over a 25 year timespan (Bloor, Eglinton, Lawrence, Sheppard, Finch.)
And while I see the urgency of cancelling the SELRT before construction starts, I really don't see the urgency on starting work on the subway.
I wouldn't call it urgent like the DRL, Eglinton or B-D extensions are urgent, but it should be built. Nothing's at capacity, but a finished Yonge-STC Sheppard Subway would be great for North York and Scarborough, further encouraging densification along the corridor, and opening up a slew of new transit trips.
Delaying the Sheppard East subway could easily free up funds for Eglinton West, bringing a much needed balance to the plan.
Sheppard will likely come almost cost-neutral (maybe being $200 or $300 million more) with the current LRT, and Eglinton will be similar. For Eglinton, the central section can obviously be built with current funding, as that section's supposed to be tunneled anyways. The westward extension might require more money than what's funded for the LRT currently, but probably not by a huge amount.
kEiThZ said:
This is a PM conversation with Fresh Start (hope you don't mind) about his Hwy 27 BRT idea. I think there's some merit to it. But I am still left wondering if it's not local enough? Maybe a good Phase 2 project?
The reservations I have about it are that every other BRT we have on an artery provides local service first and some regional service (in that it usually feeds a subway). In this case, there's nothing much on Hwy 27 itself but it allows for very rapid transit for a neighbourhood to the subway. And can be built cheaply.
The proposal leaves me torn. I don't know how well the TTC would handle something like this. They aren't OC Transpo and aren't used to running Ottawa style Express routes if you will. On the other hand, if they succeeded it would be a huge boost in transit for west-enders with very little cost. I'll leave it up to the rest of the group to decide if we should trade Kipling or Islington for this.
Actually, I really think there's a lot of merit to this. In fact, I'm wondering if such a corridor might warrant further RT, like a limited stop subway.
It definitely has a lot of strength as a N/S RT service through Etobicoke and Mississauga, connecting with important nodes like Sherway Gardens and the B-D, Lakeshore Go, Eglinton and Pearson, Woodbine and maybe even Finch and Humber College. I have absolutely no idea how much ridership that kind of line could justify, but I think the Pearson-Sherway section at least has huge potential. Either a BRT or Subway along the 427 would be pretty easy to do, and it could potentially suck up a bunch of riders.
I'd love to see a study into this actually. It certainly competes with Kipling/Islingon as a RT route, because of the nodes and density that it hits, as well as just the ease of building along the route. I support this BRT, but I'm wondering if the nature of the route might make more sense for full-blown subway/raised rail.