Timeline
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What is the current status of this project?
Although the Environmental Assessment was approved in 2011, the Province has not funded the project.
| Date | Initiative | Status |
|
April 30, 2015 | Meetings with Minister Del Duca, Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.) | On-going |
|
October 26, 2015 | Meetings with M.T.O. and/or Metrolinx staff | On-going |
| December 10, 2015 |
Tour of Metrolinx and M.T.O. staff of 4 station sites | Complete |
| December 2015 to March 2016 |
Economic Impact Analysis | Complete |
|
April to |
Business Case Analysis |
Request for proposals being prepared |
What are the next steps?
Next steps include discussions with the Ministry of Transportation about the Economic Impact Analysis and how best to proceed, including undertaking a Business Case Analysis. The Business Case Analysis would provide the Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx with detailed information that would respond to the following key decision-making criteria:
- Is the investment supported by a robust explanation of how it fits with wider public policy, planning and strategic objectives?
- Does the investment demonstrate value for money measured in economic terms and does it make sense financially (i.e. is it affordable)?
- What are the commercial procurement options and risks, and the deliverability implications (e.g. engineering issues, use of alternative finance and procurement, operational issues, etc.)?
If the project is funded, how long will it take to build?
Once funding is included in the Provincial ten-year capital budget, it is then a matter of what year the funding will be provided. A project of this magnitude - 25 kms of rail, including an overpass over Hwy 401 and a tunnel under Thornton Road (as per the approved 2011 Environmental Assessment) - will take time. Property acquisition by Metrolinx would be required, with only two of the four sites currently owned by Metrolinx. Detailed designs need to be prepared prior to construction. Project needs to be tendered and then construction takes place. It is anticipated that it will take eight-ten years following funding approval.