Metrolinx gives tentative support to Murray’s Scarborough subway

TORONTO – Metrolinx is giving tentative support for the new subway plan proposed by transportation minister Glen Murray.

In a letter to TTC Chair Karen Stintz dated September 10, Metrolinx Chair Robert Prichard outlines several advantages of Murray’s plan including:

• “Greater opportunities for economic growth and employment”
• It takes advantage of existing transportation infrastructure
• Could be cheaper than other subways as it doesn’t require tunnelling
• Serves more priority neighbourhoods
• A larger population of Scarborough residents would be within walking distance

The TTC is reviewing whether a subway train can operate on the current elevated tracks used for Scarborough Rapid-Transit (SRT) trains.

Murray announced plans last week for an abbreviated, two-stop subway through Scarborough that would run on the elevated tracks currently used for the SRT.

The plan however would force SRT commuters onto buses for the length of the construction – a point of contention that many councillors used in July to argue for not building an LRT in Scarborough.  Metrolinx is suggesting this shutdown could last up to three years.