The Government has endorsed several key projects, that Metrolinx previously identified as “Quick Win” projects. These projects include upgrading GO rail tracks and the Yonge subway signaling system and developing bus rapid transit lines througout the GTA and Hamilton.

Today’s announcement lays the groundwork for the Government’s $17.5 billion MoveOntario 2020 rapid transit plan, which calls for 52 projects in the area.

With the transit commitments in this budget, the Province will fund one-third of the cost of 360 new subway cars for the TTC and the infrastructure to improve capacity on the Yonge subway.

The province will fund the projects through through the 2007 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the 2008 budget and the ReNew Ontario Infrastructure Plan to a total of $744.2 million. This also includes funds that the Province previously provided to the City of Toronto to meet its provincial committment to the (federal) Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

The funds support projects in the:
City of Hamilton
City of Toronto
Region of Durham
Regions of Durham and York
Region of Halton
Region of Peel
Region of York
All municipalities

• Developing the Highway 2 (Kingston Road / Dundas Street / King Street) bus rapid transit line ($82.3 million)

• Building Cornell terminal ($5.6 million)

• Developing a Dundas Street bus rapid transit line ($57.6 million)

• Improving the B-Line along King and Main Streets ($17.4)

• Developing the A-Line along James and Upper James Streets, including service to John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport ($12.4 million)

• Developing a James Street North GO Transit / VIA Rail station and gateway to the Niagara Peninsula ($3.0 million)

• Developing higher-order transit lines along Dundas and Hurontario Streets ($26.5 million)

• Developing a Mississauga Transitway hub and gateway near Toronto Pearson International Airport at Renforth Drive ($39.0 million)

• Improving GO Transit service to Bolton ($0.6 million)

• Providing a “head start” to the Transit City light rail transit ($7.1 million)

• Improving the capacity of the Yonge Subway ($293.0 million)

• Developing Yonge Street bus rapid transit service between Finch Station and Steeles Avenue ($5.71 million)

• Improving VIVA Highway 7 service between Pine Valley Drive and Kennedy Road ($52.0 million)

• Improving VIVA Yonge Street service between Richmond Hill Centre and 19th Avenue ($19.0 million)

• Improving VIVA Yonge Street service between 19th Avenue and Newmarket ($29.0 million)

• Installing new bicycle-carrying devices on municipal transit vehicles and bicycle-storage spaces at GO stations ($5.0 million)

• Expanding the GO Transit rail fleet by buying 20 more two-level passenger coaches for GO’s Lakeshore line ($60.0 million)

• Buying 10 new double-decker buses for GO’s Highway 407-403 service to York University ($9.0 million)

• Building new sections of track to allow trains to pass each other on GO Transit’s Bradford and Stouffville lines ($20.0 million)