Can Toronto afford a high line? City to study reuse of Scarborough RT line

March 23, 2024 Canuck

The future of the decommissioned Scarborough RT line will be explored in a detailed feasibility study, after city council gave the in-depth work the go-ahead this week.

But city staff warn reuse of the line could be complex and costly.

City councillors endorsed the full study at a meeting this week, asking staff to explore a range of options for the former transit line. Staff will specifically look at the implications of adaptive reuse of the elevated portion of the line to create a new linear park or tearing the structure down to allow for other private development.

Those contrasting visions collided at city hall this week, with coun. Michael Thompson warning that the elevated park — likened to New York’s High Line or Atlanta’s BeltLine — may not be cost-effective or realistic for a city with an annual structural budget deficit.

“There is a reason why the media has been agog over the possibility of a park in the sky in Scarborough,” Thompson said.

“Because we’re being sold an undefined vision based on a shiny object observed from a distance. Up close, and placed in Toronto context, the High Line Toronto may not be best for the abandoned RT corridor.”

Toronto already struggles with capital backlog

In July 2023, a train running on the Scarborough RT derailed, causing the early decommissioning of the aging line. Since then, council has been grappling with ways to replace service to transit riders in the city’s eastern suburb, and what to do with the right of way it traveled on.

Thompson’s ward, Scarborough Centre, is home to most of the decommissioned line. He said a full study of proposed development projects on or near the RT line land could also complicate city plans.

The park proposal comes at a time when the city is already struggling to manage a large capital backlog, he said. That’s expected to jump from $10.6 billion this year to $22.7 billion by 2033.

“The city manager should have the full opportunity to inform council on the potential cost challenges… before any city money, and in fact, millions of dollars be spent pursuing this infrastructure that we can’t afford,” Thompson said.

The New York High Line weaves through Manhattan but sorry cyclists, it's for walkers only. — The New York High Line weaves through Manhattan. (Carlos Felipe Pardo/Flickr)

Coun. Jamaal Myers, who represents Ward 23, Scarborough North, has been pressing council to create a park on the elevated structure. It could give Scarborough residents access to new bike paths, affordable housing and more green space, he said.

“There are significant costs no matter what we do, whether we tear it down or leave it or re-adapt it,” Myers said.

Coun. Parthi Kandavel, who represents Ward 20, Scarborough Southwest, said he supported further study of all options, but he encouraged council to think big when it comes to this opportunity.

With a growing population in Scarborough, the suburb needs more green space, he added.

“What it says to the people of Scarborough is you care,” he said to councillors, urging them to support the study. “(It says) you matter, your spaces are our spaces. And as city council, we’re going to invest in good public spaces.”

WATCH | Scarborough busway construction delayed:

Scarborough busway construction delayed until at least 2025

2 months ago

Duration 2:21

The construction of the busway that will replace the Scarborough RT is not slated to begin until 2025, meaning Scarborough commuters are stuck with shuttle buses until further notice. Finding the funding and prioritizing building the busway is essential for Scarborough residents and students, advocates tell CBC Toronto.

City manager Paul Johnson said any adaptive reuse of the former RT line will be a “highly complex and resource intensive undertaking.” With the council approval, city staff across a broad swath of departments will begin an in-depth analysis.

Johnson said that analysis will include understanding complete ownership of land on the transit corridor, the structural integrity of the elevated portion of the line and park needs and opportunities in the area.

‘Significant resources’ required, city manager says

The study will also include estimated project timing and costs, he noted.

“Overall, it is anticipated a project of this size and complexity will require both significant staff resources and funding to move forward with an adaptive reuse,” Johnson wrote in response to an inquiry from coun. Paul Ainslie.

But Johnson also noted that the price tag to tear down the elevated structure would also be costly.

In 2018, the TTC estimated the cost to both decommission and demolish the remaining Scarborough RT infrastructure at an estimated $150 to $175 million.

The feasibility study is expected back by the end of the year.

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