A new city staff report on the proposed Scarborough Subway, still in planning stages in Toronto, made the project a much tougher sell for Mayor John Tory and other project supporters.
"The cost to build a one-stop subway extension in Scarborough has climbed to at least $3.35 billion as the estimate of new people expected to be drawn to the line has fallen," report Jennifer Pagliaro and Ben Spurr.
The previous estimate put the cost of the subway at $3.2 billion. The new $3.35 billion figure, however, doesn't include the cost of financing the project. Much of the new cost arises from planned changes at the new Scarborough Town Centre station. Pagliaro and Spurr detail the other evolutions of the project proposal throughout the article.
The estimates are included in a city staff report released at the end of February, which has inspired "fresh questions of value for money and providing the most transit for Scarborough residents," according to the article.
Mayor John Tory supports the project, so much so that he also pitched an additional light rail line to supplement the subway. The increased price tag for the subway could imperil that light rail compromise, according to the article.
FULL STORY: Cost of Scarborough subway extension rises to $3.35 billion as number of new riders fall
Toronto Subway Plan Gains Federal Backing
A key piece of the funding required to achieve Ontario Premier Doug Ford's vision for an expanded subway system in Greater Toronto Area clicked into place this week.
Cost Estimates Nearly Double for Toronto Light Rail Plan
Cost estimate for Toronto's proposed Eglinton East LRT have ballooned from $2.3 billion to as much as $4.4 billion.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)