Ontario's Mulroney calls for expediting subway projects

Ontario Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney has introduced the Building Transit Faster Act to help accelerate the completion of subway expansion projects.

The legislation would provide the province with the tools to expedite the planning, design and construction process of subway projects, including the all-new Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.

If passed, the act would:
• relocate utilities more efficiently;
• ensure the assembly of land required to construct stations, conduct tunneling and prepare sites;
• ensure timely access to municipal services and rights-of-way;
• allow Ontario officials to inspect and remove physical barriers with appropriate notification to property owners; and
• ensure nearby developments or construction projects are coordinated so they do not delay the four priority subway projects.

"In order to keep up with the tremendous growth in the region, we have to build modern, efficient rapid transit," said Mulroney in a press release. "It will not only generate years of employment, it will allow us to better connect a world-class city and develop transit-oriented communities."