The Big Move rapid transit projects

2008 collection of rapid transit projects in the Greater Toronto Area

The Big Move is a regional transportation plan (RTP) published in 2008 and consisting of 62 rapid transit projects to be implemented across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).[1] These rapid transit projects are intended to form a seamlessly integrated regional rapid transit network, which is the first priority action in the regional transportation plan.[2] These projects form two long-term templates with 15 and 25 year horizons. These templates outline broad projects; specific details about technology, alignment, stations and service levels for each project are subsequently determined though a cost–benefit analysis or an environmental assessment process.[3][4]

## List of projects

[edit]

Horizon  | Type  | Project  | Termini

|
|
|

15 years  | Express rail  | 1 | Lakeshore West and East | Hamilton / West Harbour | Oshawa
2 | Kitchener | Brampton | Union Station
Regional rail  | 3 | Niagara extension | West Harbour | Confederation
4 | Milton | Meadowvale[a] | Union Station
5 | Georgetown | Mount Pleasant[a] | Union Station
6 | Union Pearson Express | Pearson Airport | Union Station
8 | Crosstown | Dundas West / Bloor | Summerhill
9 | Barrie | East Gwillimbury[a] | Union Station
10 | Richmond Hill | Richmond Hill | Union Station
11 | Richmond Hill | Bloomington | Richmond Hill
12 | Stouffville | Mount Joy | Union Station
14 | Seaton | Seaton | Union Station / Summerhill
15 | Lakeshore East | Oshawa | Bowmanville
Subway  | 16 | Spadina extension | Sheppard West | Vaughan
17 | Yonge extension | Finch | Richmond Hill Centre
48[a] | Relief Line | Pape | Dundas West
Other rapid transit
(LRT/BRT/AGT)  | 18 | A-Line | Hamilton | Hamilton Airport
19 | B-Line | McMaster University | Eastgate Square
20 | Burlington Connector | Downtown Burlington | Burlington
21 | Dundas Street BRT | Brant Street | Kipling
22 | Trafalgar  | Highway 407 | Oakville
23 | 403 Transitway | Oakville | Renforth
24 | Highway 10 | Mayfield West | Brampton
25 | Main Street  | Downtown Brampton | Highway 407
26 | Hurontario LRT | Highway 407 | Port Credit
27 | Waterfront West LRT | Port Credit | Union Station
28 | Züm Queen | Downtown Brampton | Peel–York boundary
29 | Viva Highway 7 | Peel–York boundary | Locust Hill
30 | Finch West LRT | Pearson Airport | Finch
31 | Eglinton Crosstown LRT | Pearson Airport | Kennedy
32 | Highway 427 South | Pearson Airport | Kipling
33 | Jane | Vaughan | Jane
34 | Don Mills | Highway 7 | Donlands
35 | Viva Yonge | Richmond Hill Centre | Newmarket
36 | Sheppard East LRT | Don Mills | Meadowvale Road
37 | Scarborough RT | Kennedy | Malvern
38 | Highway 2 | Scarborough Centre | Downtown Oshawa
39 | Brock Road  | Pickering Town Centre | Highway 407
40 | Oshawa Connector | Oshawa Central[a] | Downtown Oshawa
41  | Stage 2 ION | Fairway station | Downtown Cambridge
BRT in mixed traffic  | 42 | Highway 407 | Burlington | Brooklin
New corridor  | 43 | Highway 410 extension  | Bovaird Drive | Hurontario Street
44 | Highway 427 extension  | Highway 7 | Major Mackenzie Drive
45 | Highway 404 extension  | East Gwillimbury | Keswick
46 | Highway 407 East | Highway 7 | Highway 35 / 115
25 years  | Express rail  | 47 | Mississauga | Cooksville | Union Station
4[a] | Richmond Hill | Langstaff Gateway | Union Station
Regional rail[a] | 5[a] | Milton | Meadowvale | Milton
7[a] | Georgetown | Georgetown | Mount Pleasant
9[a] | Bolton | Bolton | Union Station
13[a] | Barrie | Bradford | East Gwillimbury
49 | Havelock | Locust Hill | Union Station
Other rapid transit
(LRT/BRT/AGT)  | 50 | T-Line | Centre Mall | Linc / Mohawk Road
51 | Brant | Burlington | Dundas Street
52 | Trafalgar/Main  | Milton | Highway 407
53 | Züm Steeles | Lisgar | Highway 427
54 | Highway 427 North | Pearson Airport | Queen Street
55 | 407 Transitway | Highway 427 | Unionville
56 | Steeles | Milliken | York University
57 | Viva North  | Davis Drive | East Gwillimbury
58 | McCowan  | Markham Centre | Scarborough Centre
59 | Scarborough Malvern | Kennedy | Malvern
60 | Steeles/Taunton  | Milliken | Downtown Oshawa
61 | Simcoe  | Downtown Oshawa | Highway 407
New corridor  | 62 | Niagara–GTA  | Hamilton | Niagara
63 | GTA–West  | Guelph | Bolton

## Implementation

[edit]

### GO Transit Regional Express Rail

[edit]

Main article: GO Transit Regional Express Rail

Regional Express Rail is a project to improve GO Transit train service by adding all-day, two-way service to the Barrie line and the inner portions of the Kitchener line and the Stouffville line, and by increasing frequency of train service on various lines to as often as every 15 minutes on five of the corridors. This would be achieved with the full electrification of the Lakeshore East line and the Barrie line and the electrification of the inner portions of the Lakeshore West line, the Kitchener line, the Barrie line and the Stouffville line.

### Toronto

[edit]

#### LRT projects

[edit]

A mock-up of the Bombardier Flexity Freedom that was planned to be used on LRT lines across the GTHA

On 28 September 2012, Metrolinx signed a master agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to implement four new light rail transit lines in Toronto:[6]

* Sheppard East LRT
* Finch West LRT
* Line 5 Eglinton
* Replacement of Line 3 Scarborough.

These projects were also identified in Transit City, a rapid transit plan announced by former Toronto mayor David Miller and TTC chair Adam Giambrone on 16 March 2007. After $4 billion in provincial funding for Transit City from the Ontario government was deferred, the projects were rolled into a "5 in 10" plan, referring to goal of completing the four LRT lines and a BRT line in ten years.[7] The plan also included the purchase of 182 light rail vehicles from Bombardier Transportation.[8]

In December 2010, Rob Ford, who succeeded David Miller as mayor, announced his intention to cancel key parts of Transit City, saying "we will not build any more rail tracks down the middle of our streets." However, he was open to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, given that it is primarily underground.[9] Ford acknowledged that he will need council's support to put an end to Transit City.[10] In early 2012, Toronto City Council voted in favour of motions to resume work on the Sheppard, Eglinton and Finch LRT lines, and on replacing the Scarborough RT, defeating Rob Ford's campaign for subways.[11][12]

The subway debate has continued in regards to the replacement of Line 3 Scarborough. Toronto City Council voted in June 2013 for a proposal to build the Scarborough Subway Extension. In light of this, Metrolinx threatened to stop work on Scarborough rapid transit, or even walk away from the project. Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation Glen Murray was open to a modified project, as long as any costs that were additional to what the province originally committed.[13] In September 2013, the Government of Ontario announced it would build a subway, but it would terminate at Scarborough Centre station, and consist of "a minimum" of two stops.[14] The City of Toronto has moved forward with planning an extension of Line 2 Bloor–Danforth in Scarborough.[15]

#### Subway projects

[edit]

On 29 November 2012, Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig announced two subway projects for Toronto region that would be pursued in the upcoming 15 years:[16]

* Relief Line
* Yonge North subway extension

A TTC study was completed in 2012 to address existing capacity constraints on the existing Yonge subway and GO Transit lines. The study projected even with planned improvements on both networks, significant capacity issues would remain by 2031, recommending that a Downtown Relief Line be completed prior to the Yonge subway extension.[17] The Big Move initially ranked the downtown relief line as lower priority, for completion within a 25-year time frame,[4] and Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac stated in 2008 that the line is unlikely to be brought forward from its projected 2020 start date.[18] By March 2012, TTC CEO Andy Byford stressed there was great need for additional subway capacity with the increasing rate of population growth in Toronto, and capacity issues along Line 1 Yonge–University, stating "The downtown relief line has got to be looked at and has got to be talked about right now." Metrolinx accordingly stated that capacity issues may allow the DRL to be given higher priority in The Big Move, which was made official with the Phase 2 announcement.[19]

### Peel Region

[edit]

MiWay and Züm are the bus rapid transit providers for Mississauga and Brampton, respectively.

The Hurontario LRT in Mississauga and Brampton will represent a replacement of existing express bus services offered by MiWay and Züm. The line will run from Steeles Avenue in the north to Port Credit in the south. This will allow connections to GO Transit's Milton and Lakeshore West lines, and bus terminals at Brampton Gateway, Mississauga City Centre, Square One, and Mississauga Hospital. The LRT was planned to extend further north along Main Street to Brampton GO Station, but Brampton City Council voted against this portion of the route.[20] Construction is expected to commence in 2018, and the line is projected to enter service in 2022.[21]

The Mississauga Transitway is another rapidway being built along Highway 403, Eastgate Parkway and Eglinton Avenue is being built in a partnership between the City of Mississauga and GO Transit. The transit corridor will run east–west across Mississauga, with all-station stop and extensive express bus service for thousands of riders per day. Construction began on the 18-kilometre (11 mi) segment between Winston Churchill Boulevard and Renforth Drive in August 2010. The first stretch opened between Hurontario Street and Dixie Road on 17 November 2014,[22] with the rest of the project targeted for opening in 2016.[23][24]

### Hamilton

[edit]

Main article: Hamilton LRT

The Hamilton LRT was identified as one of the top 15 priority projects in The Big Move, and along with the A-Line, was identified for completion within 15 years. These routes are also part of the larger HSR Next rapid transit proposal. The timelines for these projects have slipped significantly due to the initial cancellation of funding in 2019.

The Hamilton LRT will run between McMaster University and Eastgate Square. As of July 2025[update], a request for proposals has been published for early works, including utility relocation. No timeline has been provided for the A-Line route since the 2019 cancellation, and full environmental assessments have not been completed.

### York Region

[edit]

Metrolinx has also pursued constructing dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes, also known as "rapidways", for the Viva service in York region.[8][25] Rapidways are one element of a $1.4 billion investment into York region's transit. The BRT service will include connections with GO Transit, regional transit and future extensions of the TTC subway system. Over 34 kilometres of rapidways are planned, with the goal of buses arriving every 2 to 5 minutes. Construction began in December 2009, and all elements are expected to be completed by 2020.[25]

## Notes

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Changed from the original plan on 14 February 2013, when the Metrolinx board of directors endorsed an update to the Big Move.[5]

## References

[edit]

* "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
* "Approved Changes to The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

1. ^ Metrolinx, Schedules 1 & 2
2. ^ Metrolinx, p. 23
3. ^ Metrolinx, p. 22
4. ^ a b Metrolinx, p. 96
5. ^ Board Report: The Big Move Update – Recommended Changes
6. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (28 November 2012). "TTC, Metrolinx finally sign off on LRTs". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
7. ^ "Rapid Transit for Toronto" (PDF). City of Toronto. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
8. ^ a b "Metrolinx to buy 182 streetcars". CBC News. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
9. ^ "Railway Gazette: Toronto Transit City project in doubt". 16 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
10. ^ CBC.ca December 1, 2010
11. ^ Church, Elizabeth (8 February 2012). "TTC chair defeats Rob Ford, wins bid to bring transit above-ground". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
12. ^ Church, Elizabeth; Grant, Kelly (23 March 2012). "Transit defeat leaves Ford on rocky ground". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
13. ^ Moore, Oliver (2 July 2013). "Metrolinx to Toronto: Subway is yours". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
14. ^ "Scarborough subway to be built with shortened route, Ontario announces". The Globe and Mail. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
15. ^ "Scarborough Subway Extension". City of Toronto. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
16. ^ Metrolinx (29 November 2012). "Metrolinx Unveils Next Wave of Big Move Projects". CNW Newswire. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
17. ^ "Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
18. ^ Hertz, Barry (4 September 2008). "New subway line still a way's off, Metrolinx head says". National Post. Retrieved 16 September 2008.[permanent dead link]
19. ^ Alcoba, Natalie (23 March 2012). "TTC chief: Subway expansion for downtown relief line has to be discussed 'right now'". National Post. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
20. ^ Grewal, San (27 October 2015). "Brampton council rejects downtown LRT". The Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
21. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (21 April 2015). "Liberals promise $1.6 billion for "transformational" Hurontario LRT". The Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 21 April 2015.+billion+for+"transformational"+Hurontario+LRT&rft.date=2015-04-21&rft.aulast=Kalinowski&rft.aufirst=Tess&rft_id=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/04/21/hurontario-lrt-gets-a-boost-from-queens-park.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:The+Big+Move+rapid+transit+projects" class="Z3988">
22. ^ "Mississauga opens 4 Transitway stations". CBC News. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
23. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (6 May 2014). "Key transit projects facing delays". Mississauga News. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
24. ^ "Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project". GO Transit. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
25. ^ a b "Viva in York Region". Metrolinx. Retrieved 8 March 2012.

## External links

[edit]

* The Big Move – Overview and Message from the Chair
* The Big Move – PDF Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
* Metrolinx – official site

* v
* t
* e

Rapid transit projects in the Big Move

Regional Express Rail|

* Barrie
* Bolton
* Kitchener
* Lakeshore East
* Lakeshore West
* Niagara extension
* Locust Hill
* Midtown corridor
* Milton
* Richmond Hill
* Seaton
* Stouffville
* Union Pearson Express

Subway|

* Spadina extension
* Yonge extension
* Relief Line

Light rail transit|

* A-Line
* B-Line
* Don Mills
* Eglinton
* Finch West
* Hurontario
* Jane
* Scarborough
* Scarborough Malvern
* Sheppard East
* T-Line
* Waterfront West

Bus rapid transit|

* 407 Transitway
* 427 North/South
* Dundas
* Durham–Scarborough
* Green Lane
* Highway 7
* Mississauga Transitway
* Queen (Peel)
* Steeles (Peel)
* Steeles (Toronto)
* Yonge

Other rapid transit|

* Brant
* Brock Road
* McCowan
* Oshawa Connector
* Simcoe
* Steeles–Taunton (Durham)
* Trafalgar
* Trafalgar–Main

* v
* t
* e

Transit City

Key people|

| Proponents|

* David Miller
* Adam Giambrone
* Karen Stintz
* Gary Webster

|

Opponents|

* Rob Ford
* Doug Ford

LRT projects|

* Don Mills
* Eglinton
* Etobicoke–Finch West
* Jane
* Scarborough Malvern
* Sheppard East
* Waterfront West

Related|

* MoveOntario 2020
* Line 3 Scarborough
* The Big Move rapid transit projects

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