Dedicating Light Rail Lanes

The city of Toronto plans to devote dedicated lanes to some of the city's major light rail routes. The project was promised in the mayor's re-election campaign and is expected to cost more than $2 billion.

1 minute read

March 16, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"The TTC will unveil a plan Friday to build dedicated light-rail lanes on key routes across the city – as promised in Mayor David Miller's re-election campaign – laying out a blueprint that could see new state-of-the-art streetcars gliding down Eglinton and Finch Avenues."

"'The plan will be unveiled [Friday]... and it will outline a vision of how we would deal with traffic congestion and the environmental affects of car travel by building an environmentally sustainable, transit-friendly city,' TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone said."

"The general concept is to run streetcars – or the sleek new light-rail vehicles the TTC plans to buy in the next few years – in their own lanes, or rights-of-way, down the middle of as many as a dozen major roads across the city."

"The idea, in place now on Spadina Avenue downtown and still under construction along St. Clair Avenue, has proved controversial with some businesses and residents, especially on St. Clair, where a local group raised concerns about traffic and parking problems and even took the city to court."

Thursday, March 15, 2007 in The Globe and Mail

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

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.