Subway track construction 

November-December 2009

Commissioners approved an amended 2010-2014 Capital Program for the TTC in order to make the TTC’s capital requirements more affordable under the City Budget Committee’s new debt target rules.

The TTC’s $848 million shortfall over 10 years was reduced by $300 million by deferring more than 40 improvements and expansion projects, which were initially approved by the Commission at its meeting on Sept. 24. Among those projects are: industrial facility requirements ($78 million), easier access elevator installation ($60 million), fire ventilation upgrades ($52 million), transit signal priority improvements ($51 million), subway station modernization ($75 million) and paving programs ($56 million).

Although sufficient funding is available through to 2011, the 2010-2019 ten-year capital forecast faces a $300 million shortfall. The 2010-2019 Capital Program is scheduled to go before Toronto City Council in December.

Stimulus funds

Based on a Sept. 11 announcement, the funding for TTC projects in the amount of $64 million has been approved through the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, subject to the TTC spending the money within the two-year timeframe ending in spring 2011.

Of the 23 projects we submitted, 20 projects were approved for the stimulus money, of which one (Warden Station) was deferred as one of the above project amendments. The TTC’s capital budget has made this work a high priority in order to ensure that it takes full advantage of the federal funding. This work includes:

  • Subway track renewal.
  • Upgrades to the streetcar overhead distribution system.
  • Subway escalator and elevator overhaul.
  • Carhouse, shop and garage renewal.
  • Tunnel and station leak remediation.
  • Beam replacement on the Prince Edward Viaduct and other bridge repairs.