Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government has convened an expert panel to consider potential changes to the Yonge North and Scarborough subway extension projects, including the possibility of building portions of the lines above ground and reducing the number of planned stations, the Star has learned. Although the panel has yet to make its recommendations, its mandate appears to open the door to building new rail lines above ground in Toronto’s suburbs. That would mark a drastic departure for Premier Doug Ford, who during his time as a Toronto city councillor joined with his brother, then mayor Rob Ford, to oppose surface rail lines, claiming suburban riders “deserve” underground subways.According to a six-page confidential document obtained by the Star that details the 13-member panel’s mandate, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario have assembled “a team of expert advisers with Canadian and international experience ... to perform an independent review of TTC plans” for the two politically loaded subway projects, in order “to assess, critique and advise on (their) technical and commercial deliverability.” The document, dated July 29, states the panel may “consider and evaluate potential alternatives” to existing plans for the two extensions to determine whether changes could “deliver the benefits (of the transit projects) in a faster time frame, at less cost.” Options the panel is expected to consider include “adding or removing stations,” “changing or removing bus terminals,” and “alternate horizontal and vertical alignments.” The panel will also be tasked with reviewing the Toronto Transit Commission’s estimates for project operating and capital costs, exploring the potential for third-party development to be integrated with subway construction, and determining whether the projects could be procured using public-private partnerships. Metr ...
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