A westward extension of the Sheppard subway line to Downsview station is one step closer after receiving an endorsement from Toronto City Council.
Although council’s carrying vote did not commit resources toward the so-called North York relief line, it has been made a priority in the second phase of provincial agency Metrolinx’s Big Move plan. Metrolinx will be urged to prepare an environmental impact report, plan the project and consider funding.
The 24 to 19 vote was applauded by Coun. James Pasternak, the ward representative for the area near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue who moved the motion. But fellow North York councillor John Filion, in whose ward Sheppard station lies, did not share Pasternak’s optimism. He said the vote was meaningless and lacked support from experienced transit planners.
“It’s a pretend solution. The chances of it happening are at zero,” said Filion.
He also said he doubted there would be any stops between Yonge Street and Bathurst Street if it were constructed.
He said a better way of decreasing pressure on the Yonge line, one of the North York relief line’s potential functions, would be to fund improvements at the Bloor-Yonge subway station and fund a downtown relief line.
Pasternak has long advocated for an east-west connection north of Bloor street, saying his ward has been “neglected” for 25 years.
“There are some people out there that are full of doom and gloom, and I don’t take that view,” said Pasternak. He said the chances of the line moving forward are “100 per cent” if the province and city agree to put what he estimates to be $900 million to $1 billion toward the project. No official estimates are available.
Rosanna Iaboni, a member of the Downsview Lands Community Voice Association near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West, said she hopes council gives the line serious consideration. Iaboni said she and others in her community would gladly give up their cars if they had nearby transit.
Pasternak hopes work on the line could begin in 2016.