Almost universal support for government investments in GTA transportation
By Bill Rea

Even opposition members were hard pressed to come up with negatives to almost $4.5 billion being invested in transit and highway infrastructure in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the area last Tuesday to announce a partnership arrangement had been reached between the province and GTA municipalities. It was part of the federal government's new long-term transportation action plan known as FLOW.

"FLOW is about ensuring the free flow of people, traffic and goods right across the GTA," Harper said. "It's about cutting the commute, improving the economy and cleaning the air."

The arrangement calls on the feds to put up some $962 million as their share for various projects, including the extension of the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) Spadina subway line north into Vaughan, and the enhancement of York Region's Viva rapid transit system.

Although commuters living in King stand to benefit from the announcement, Mayor Margaret Black said there's no direct impact for King. But York will come out ahead.

She pointed out the Province's Places to Grow document mandated certain growth areas, including in York, but it was lacking details on how it was to be accommodated.

"I think all of us were very concerned about the effects on transportation and traffic," she commented. "The subway announcement was extraordinarily important."

She added had there not been the announcement of funding for Viva, the next phase of the system might have been delayed.

The arrangement between the levels of government also includes investments in projects on Highways 7, 404 and 407.

"It's been a very good week," Vaughan - King - Aurora MPP Greg Sorbara told the Sentinel Friday.

As Ontario's finance minister, he was involved in the negotiations, although he pointed some of the projects were announced in last year's budget, which was brought down by then minister Dwight Duncan. He added the financial participation of the feds was needed, and he said he and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had been discussing it for months. They reached a breakthrough in December, although it's taken some time since then to work out the details.

The province's commitment comes to about $850 million, including $85 million for the second phase of Viva. He added once the subway extension into Vaughan is in place, it will be a major hub for Viva.

He was also pleased to see the planned extension of Highway 407 to Highways 35 and 115. "Gridlock and congestion in the east part of the GTA are just very, very serious indeed," he observed.

The 407 is a toll road, currently controlled by a private consortium. Sorbara couldn't say what the consortium's role will be on the extension, although he did say users of the road will have a seamless ride, meaning the rates will be consistent and they won't need additional transponders.

Sorbara said the federal commitment is not dependent on the government's budget being passed. The funds, he said, were allocated in last year's budget. "That is comforting," he said, especially considering it's a minority government in Ottawa.

"I think it was very, very good news for our riding in a number of ways," commented York - Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan, pointing especially to the plans to extend Highway 404 north to Ravenshoe Road in Keswick. "The Province was always announcing this in the past, but it was never happening."

He also praised the funds for public transit in York and the subway extension.

Van Loan stressed this announcement should not be viewed as a prelude to an election, adding the government is just doing what needs to be done.

"There's a very real need in terms of reducing gridlock and congestion," he declared. "It's been talked about for many years but never delivered, so we're going to deliver them."

"It was a good-news story," commented Oak Ridges- Markham MP Lui Temelkovski. "I would say Toronto's going to be very happy and York Region's also going to benefit from it."

But despite what Van Loan said, Temelkovski thought this announcement by Harper was aimed at attracting votes. "He's just getting ready for an election," he remarked.

"I think it's pretty good news," commented York North MPP Julia Munro.

She said the subway extension, combined with large parking areas, should discourage commuters from driving to the city and offer better access to York University.

"It will certainly be something when it's built that will be a real convenience," she declared.

Munro also stressed the importance of the announced highway work. "My own personal view is there is obviously a role for transit," she said, but warned governments can't concentrate on that exclusively. Good transportation infrastructure is a good economic driver, she maintained.

"I'm extremely encouraged by today's transit funding announcement for York Region and our Greater Toronto Area neighbours," York Region Chair Bill Fisch said last Tuesday. "This federal commitment to the expansion of Viva and the Spadina subway through our communities will have a positive and lasting effect on transportation for years to come."