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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    Getting Torontonians moving: Making crucial investments in public transit

    Aug. 27, 2019
    The GO rail and the Toronto Transit Commission network will receive funding for two significant projects.
    Related To: Infrastructure Canada
    Infrastructure Canada
    Infrastructure Canada 5d65551f03daf

    The government of Canada is giving priority funding consideration for two significant public transit projects in the city of Toronto, Ontario, according to an announcement from the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; along with Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt; the Honorable Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation; the Honorable Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA); the Honorable Laurie Scott, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; John Tory, mayor of the city of Toronto; and Jaye Robinson, chair of Toronto Transit Commission.

    "The government of Canada...[is] well aware of how important strong effective transit infrastructure is to building a stronger middle class, preserving the environment and helping to reduce traffic gridlock,” Champagne said. “The projects we are announcing today in the [Greater Toronto Area] will improve transit services, promoting safer and better ways for commuters to get where they need to be."

    One of the projects will see capacity improvements made to Bloor-Yonge Station, the busiest subway station in the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) network, with more than 200,000 passengers on an average weekday. Public transit riders will benefit from improved passenger safety and capacity through the construction of an additional platform at Line 2 Yonge Station, modifications to the passenger platform at Line 1 Bloor Station, as well as the construction of a new electrical substation.

    The other project is the SmartTrack Stations Program, which includes the construction of six new stations on the Stouffville, Lakeshore East and Kitchener GO rail corridors. This project will leverage existing rail infrastructure in Toronto and the province's GO Rail Expansion program to increase local service and expand transit options for commuters travelling in and out of the city of Toronto.

    “The SmartTrack Stations Program and capacity improvements at Bloor-Yonge Station are important steps in our shared goal of a program of connected projects which expand the network, reduce crowding, and improve rider experience in Toronto and the GTA,” Mulroney said. “The province of Ontario is committed to continuing to work with our partners to deliver on that."

    The government of Canada is committing more than C$1 billion (US$1.324 billion) in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The government of Ontario and the city of Toronto will provide the remaining project funding.

    "Today's announcement by the federal government of investments in SmartTrack and the Bloor-Yonge Station Improvement Program is an important step in bringing these two critical pieces of Toronto's transit network to fruition,” Tory said. “I want to thank them for their commitment to Toronto and improving and expanding our transit system. It's more important than ever that all three governments work together to support the growing demands for transit in all corners of our city."