Scarpitti wants to build Yonge subway extension, relief line at same time

Metrolinx staff report suggests downtown relief line a priority over Yonge Subway extension

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 12, 2019
Tim Kelly

All Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti wants for the Yonge Subway extension is an even chance.

Scarpitti, who is chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, was in there swinging at the Metrolinx board meeting on Thursday, making the case for the Yonge Subway extension in the face of Metrolinx staff pressure to begin the downtown relief line ahead of it.

Scarpitti, who presented a letter to the Metrolinx board, pointed out that way back in the Metrolinx 2008 report, entitled the Big Move, the Yonge Subway extension “was a priority. It was clearly identified by provincial officials as a priority. It has undergone seven different evaluations and analyses, always reaffirming the importance of the project,” Scarpitti said in a phone interview on Friday.

The Yonge Subway extension, which has had an environmental assessment completed, would link Finch Station with Richmond Hill Centre and include five stops along the way.

The downtown relief line would extend from Pape station on the Bloor-Yonge line to Union station.

While Metrolinx staff admit both projects are a priority, they suggest the downtown relief line should come first.

Scarpitti argues that both projects can proceed at the same time.

“We’ve said, both these projects should be given the green light,” he said.

“What frustrates me is when we agree on criteria, we evaluate it, we review it, we do the analysis, and we’ve long recognized that both Yonge North Extension and the downtown relief line are priority projects but yet there’s always a ‘let’s look at this again scenario and it’s more to slow down and frustrate,” he said.

Scarpitti said he is counting on the Doug Ford government to come through on a commitment the Premier said when he was campaigning last spring.

“During the last provincial campaign, I clearly set out my targets to the three party leaders to sign a shovel, which Premier Ford did, to start construction of Yonge Subway North, in this term of office. If we let this window pass us by yet again, I think it will mean the Yonge Subway is put off for decades,” Scarpitti said.