Expedited Transit Planning Process Passed Into Law in Ontario

The controversial subway plan announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford in April 2020 now has legislative support in the form of a new law that expedites the planning, design, and construction process for transit projects in the province.

1 minute read

July 9, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


TTC Subway

Vadim Rodnev / Shutterstock

"Legislation that will expedite the planning, design and construction process of transit projects in the province of Ontario passed into law July 7," reports Mischa Wanek-Libman. 

The new law, officially titled Bill 171: Building Transit Faster Act, 2020, "enables the province to speed the process of building Ontario’s four priority transit projects: Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension to Markham and Richmond Hill, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to Pearson airport," according to Wanek-Libman.

The law has the support of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and "[t]he provincial government says the legislation supports Premier Ford's 'New Subway Transit Plan for the GTA' ― representing the largest subway expansion in Canadian history."

More information on how the legislation achieves its stated goals are included in the source article.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 in Mass Transit

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Amtrak Acela Express train passing through Harrison station in Newark, New Jersey

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts

Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

March 28, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

View of Statue of Liberty with New York City skyline in background

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties

International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

March 31 - The New York Times

Detroit Sports Arena

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit

The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

March 31 - Detroit Free Press

A red sign reads, “Welcome to New Canaan.”

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut

The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.

March 31 - Stamford Advocate

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.