After an all-day debate on the latest step in the Scarborough subway extension project, city council has voted to proceed with an alignment on McCowan Road.
Mayor John Tory and councillors voted 26 to 18 Tuesday in favour of a “next steps” report with several recommendations on the $3.35-billion project, including plans for an underground bus terminal at Scarborough Town Centre as well as financing agreements and other details.
“I’m saying that the people of Toronto have made it quite clear to me, not unanimously, but the vast majority of people have made it quite clear to me that they want us to get on with building transit in Scarborough and the rest of the city,” Tory said after Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m more interested in getting on with the job, finding ways to keep the costs down, but most importantly, get this transit network implemented.”
City staff will now be proceeding through the Transit Project Assessment Process after council voted for trains to run express to Scarborough Town Centre from the existing Kennedy station below Eglinton Avenue East, Danforth and McCowan roads if the project is ultimately approved.
WATCH: City councillors vote on Scarborough subway extension. Ashley Carter reports.
The Scarborough subway extension was first approved by council in 2013. After going through “the initial concept development and early planning phase,” city staff were directed to continue developing the project. According to the report being voted on, the TTC said the cost would be $3.16 billion. But with the proposed Triton bus terminal concept, it has added an extra $187 million to the project.
Construction could begin as soon as 2019 with a potential opening date in 2026.