Metrolinx has officially put a planned light-rail transit line for Scarborough on hold, but the agency is stopping short of declaring the project dead in favour of a costlier subway extension.
In a letter to city manager Joe Pennachetti dated Aug. 2, Metrolinx president and CEO Bruce McCuaig says his agency will not “expend any more funds” on the LRT line in light of the city voting to extend the Bloor-Danforth subway line into Scarborough instead.
The letter does, however, leave the door open to the resumption of construction on the LRT should the city flip-flop again.
The subway approval is contingent on the city finding the funds to cover the difference in cost between the $1.8 billion LRT line and the estimated $2.3 billion subway expansion.
“It would be imprudent for us to spend more on a project Council has by majority vote repudiated, as further expenditures would increase the sunk costs already incurred for which the City is responsible,” the letter states. “Putting the Scarborough LRT on hold is not due to any shortcomings inherent in the project. The project would serve Toronto and its communities well. In the event the City suspends pursuit of the subway extension, Metrolinx is prepared to return to implementing the current project.”
The letter goes on to state that Metrolinx has already incurred about $85 million in sunk costs relating to the LRT project.
After that cost is taken into account and the $400 million price tag to revamp Kennedy Station is deducted, it will leave the city with about $1.48 billion in provincial funding for the subway expansion.
Metrolinx had originally offered about $1.8 billion in funding for construction of the LRT.
