Mar 25, 2008 04:20 PM
Vanessa Lu
City Hall Bureau
People who ride buses, trains and subways in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton were given a boost today, with nearly $497 million announced in new spending for transit.
In the provincial budget, the Liberals have endorsed key projects identified by Metrolinx, the regional transportation agency, including upgrading GO rail tracks and signaling system on the Yonge subway, as well as developing bus rapid transit lines across the region.
Transit is considered a key part of the McGuinty’s government’s goal to cut smog and reduce gridlock across the province.
Today’s announcement is considered laying the groundwork for the government’s $17.5 billion MoveOntario 2020 rapid transit plan, which calls for 52 projects in the region.
Metrolinx’s key projects have a $744-million price tag, with some projects already funded and others still awaiting money.
They include:
- Dundas St. bus rapid transit in Halton.
- Transit corridor development along Dundas and Hurontario in Peel.
- Mississauga transitway hub, Airport-Renforth gateway.
- Viva routes along Yonge St. from Richmond Hill Centre to 19th Ave. a nd from 19th Ave. to Newmarket and Viva route along Highway 7 from Pine Valley Dr. to Kennedy Rd.
- Highway 2 bus rapid transit in Durham.
