Ontario 'priority to get shovels in ground' for LRTs
TORONTO - Light-rail transit will go before the provincial cabinet “as quickly as possible” now that Metrolinx has approved the plan, Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli said Wednesday.
“Our priority is to get shovels in the ground and to get these projects underway as soon as possible,” Chiarelli said.
“The issue has to go to cabinet (but) we’ll get it there as quickly as possible.”
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford had tried to block plans to build four LRT lines in Scarborough and North York — even declaring the scheme “dead” on his first day in office in 2010.
But Ford lost his grip on city council and LRT backers hijacked the transit agenda, pushing through the lower cost option over Ford’s preferred but more expensive subway plan.
One of the last hurdles for light rail was cleared Wednesday when Metrolinx — the province’s transit planning agency — approved the idea.
Chiarelli wasn’t sure when cabinet would vote on LRTs but it is not expected to be a contentious decision.
Ontario 'priority to get shovels in ground' for LRTs | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
TORONTO - Light-rail transit will go before the provincial cabinet “as quickly as possible” now that Metrolinx has approved the plan, Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli said Wednesday.
“Our priority is to get shovels in the ground and to get these projects underway as soon as possible,” Chiarelli said.
“The issue has to go to cabinet (but) we’ll get it there as quickly as possible.”
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford had tried to block plans to build four LRT lines in Scarborough and North York — even declaring the scheme “dead” on his first day in office in 2010.
But Ford lost his grip on city council and LRT backers hijacked the transit agenda, pushing through the lower cost option over Ford’s preferred but more expensive subway plan.
One of the last hurdles for light rail was cleared Wednesday when Metrolinx — the province’s transit planning agency — approved the idea.
Chiarelli wasn’t sure when cabinet would vote on LRTs but it is not expected to be a contentious decision.
Ontario 'priority to get shovels in ground' for LRTs | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
