Toronto's city council has voted to spend an additional $1.65 million to study the Smart Track plan, the transit proposal that helped Mayor John Tory win the municipal election.
"Smart Track" is Tory's plan to expand the current subway line -- to the airport in the west and Markham in the east -- with 22 new stations. The proposed line would be built in seven years, opening in 2021.
The line was estimated to cost the city $8 billion.
On Tuesday, council voted to spend another $1.65 million on research into the plan, with only Councillors Rob Ford and Anthony Peruzza voting against the proposal.
The vote comes after City Manager Joe Pennachetti released a report last month saying additional analysis was necessary along the proposed Eglinton Avenue West corridor, where tunnelling may be required.
He said the studies would look at the "technical feasibility" of the section that would run between Mount Dennis Station and the Mississauga Airport Corporate Centre.
The city has already previously approved a $750,000 study, but Pennachetti suggested the city should spend another $1.65 million on research.
At Tuesday's meeting, Pennachetti also responded to inquiries about the planned extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line into Scarborough.
Coun. Josh Matlow submitted five questions about the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of the project, as well as ridership projection and possible tax increases needed to fund the extension. At the meeting, city council voted not to reopen the debate.
Council will also discuss Tory's plan to rent 90 motel rooms to reduce overcrowding in homeless shelters, budget adjustments for Toronto Public Health and a sponsorship of the Direct Energy Centre.
