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SmartTrack

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SmartTrack
Overview
StatusProposed
OwnerMetrolinx
LocaleToronto, Mississauga & Markham, Ontario
Termini
Stations22
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Operator(s)Metrolinx
History
Opened2021–2022 (expected)

SmartTrack is a proposed Regional Express Rail surface line in Toronto, Canada. It was proposed by John Tory and is the centrepiece of his transportation plan during the 2014 Toronto Mayoral election. The SmartTrack line will be 53 km long and run along Eglinton Avenue from Matheson/Airport Corporate Centre in Mississauga to Mount Dennis before looping downtown to Union Station. It will then run northeast through Scarborough to Unionville in Markham. There are 22 proposed stations and will interchange with the Union Pearson Express, Eglinton Crosstown line, Bloor–Danforth line, Yonge–University–Spadina line, and GO Transit.[1] The conservative ridership estimate of SmartTrack is 200,000 passengers a day.[2] SmartTrack is estimated to cost $8 billion and could be in service as soon as 2022.[3] On December 5 the executive committee voted unanimously to commence feasibility studies regarding the project with Toronto City Council to vote on it in January.[4]

SmartTrack is the latest in a series of proposed solutions to provide relief for the overcrowded Yonge-University-Spadina Line, particularly at the Bloor-Yonge Station transfer point with the Bloor-Danforth Line.[5] It will also service the shoulder areas of downtown such as Liberty Village, CityPlace, and proposed East Don Lands development.[6] It will also connect Toronto to major employment centres in Mississauga and Markham. It will run above ground north along Eglinton using the Richview Expressway right of way and along the Kitchener line, Lakeshore East line, and Stouffville line. By building above ground and using pre-existing infrastructure SmartTrack can be built far faster than the DRL, in 7 years opposed to 17.[7]

SmartTrack will complement the Government of Ontario’s plan to electrify the entire GO Transit network over the next 10 years to provide regional express rail (RER) to the GTHA.[8] Using electric multiple units SmartTrack will provide all day express service throughout Toronto every 15 minutes or less. At Kennedy Station a rider could get to Union Station in less than 30 minutes using SmartTrack’s express service instead of 40 minutes with the regular network.[9]

SmartTrack is also the latest incarnation of proposals to rapid transit along Eglinton West to Pearson International Airport after the Eglinton West Subway and western extension of the Eglinton-Crosstown Line were cancelled.[10] By connecting to the Eglinton-Crosstown Line at Mount Dennis there will be rapid transportation along Eglinton from Pearson International Airport to Kennedy Road.

SmartTrack is estimated to cost $8 billion. Toronto’s share will be paid for by using Tax increment financing. It’s expected that the provincial and federal government will each contribute a third of the cost.[11] Mississauga and Markham would also pay their 1/3 share for their portions of the SmartTrack Line.

SmartTrack will likely lead to an overhaul of TTC bus routes. Residents of Etobicoke and Scarborough will take an express bus to their closest SmartTrack station instead of the distant terminuses of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line and Bloor-Danforth Line. By diverting these passengers SmartTrack will also benefit North York commuters on the current overcapacity feeder bus routes to the Yonge-University-Spadina Line.[12]

Route

Stations

Stop Transit connections
Matheson/Airport Corporate Centre
Kipling
Scarlett/Jane
Mount Dennis GO Transit Kitchener line; Union Pearson Express; Eglinton Crosstown line
St. Clair West 512 St. Clair
Bloor GO Station GO Transit Kitchener line; Union Pearson Express; Bloor-Danforth line; 504 King; 505 Dundas
Liberty Village 504 King
Spadina 510 Spadina
Union Yonge line; GO Transit; Via Rail; Union Pearson Express; 509 Harbourfront; 510 Spadina
East Don Lands
Queen 501 Queen
Gerrard 506 Carlton
Danforth GO Station Bloor-Danforth line; GO Transit Lakeshore East line; 506 Carlton
Scarborough GO Station GO Transit Lakeshore East line
Kennedy GO Station Bloor-Danforth line; Eglinton Crosstown line; GO Transit Stouffville line
Lawrence East
Ellesmere
Agincourt GO Station GO Transit Stouffville line; Sheppard East LRT
Finch East
Milliken GO Station GO Transit Stouffville line
14th Avenue
Unionville GO Station GO Transit Stouffville line

References

  1. ^ One Toronto Transit (2014-05-27). "The SmartTrack Line" (PDF). John Tory for Mayor. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  2. ^ Jessica Smith Cross (2014-05-27). "John Tory unveils 'One Toronto' transit plan with SmartTrack centrepiece". Metro News. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  3. ^ Jonathan Kay (2014-05-28). "Jonathan Kay: Could a Mayor John Tory build SmartTrack and save Toronto?". National Post. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  4. ^ David Nickle (2014-12-05). "Mayor Tory's executive committee asks for feasibility reports on SmartTrack". York Guardian. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
  5. ^ Royson James (2014-05-29). "Don't hold your breath for that downtown relief line: James". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  6. ^ Ann Hui (2014-05-15). "Mayoral candidate John Tory promotes new business district in East Don Lands". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  7. ^ Royson James (2014-05-28). "John Tory complicates transit debate with a simply good idea: James". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  8. ^ STEVE MUNRO, AND HAMUTAL DOTAN (2014-07-23). "Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca: It's Time for Building, Not Planning". Torontoist. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  9. ^ One Toronto Transit (2014-05-27). "The SmartTrack Line" (PDF). John Tory for Mayor. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  10. ^ Tess Kalinowski (2013-04-05). "Crosstown LRT: Eglinton's big dig ends 30-year wait for renewal". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  11. ^ Rahul Gupta (2013-05-27). "Tory transit plan proposes SmartTrack trains to run on GO lines". York Guardian. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  12. ^ One Toronto Transit (2014-05-27). "The SmartTrack Line" (PDF). John Tory for Mayor. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
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