A new report from the City of Toronto has confirmed that the exorbitant $149 million price tag asked of Metrolinx to extend a local trail by just two kilometers is, in a way, correct.

The cost of extending the existing West Toronto Railpath (WTRP) shocked residents when it was first made public. during the summerand many were quick to criticize Metrolinx – and by extension, the provincial government – ​​for such cost overruns that seemingly characterize every project touched by the transit agency.

As a municipal councilor Brad Bradford At the time, during discussions about the budget for the extension, “spending $150 million on a 2 km path will make people’s heads explode.”

However, after re-evaluation by third-party peer review, the cost estimate is apparently fair.

This is the kind of nonsense Torontonians are overtaxed for

– Bobby F. bobbyfairview.bsky.social (@bobbyfairview) August 13, 2024

As maintained by the general director of transport services of the City in a report which will be presented to the Executive Committee next week, the work ahead involves “much more” than just adding to the mixed-use route.

Noting the importance of the WTRP as a “completely off-street pedestrian and bicycle pathway that connects neighborhoods, provides communities with green space and public realm amenity space, and serves as a safe active transportation corridor,” the document continues explaining the scale of the upcoming construction to justify its cost.

To begin with, the work will double its current duration.

“The second phase of the WTRP, known as the West Toronto Railpath Extension (WTRPE), will extend the railway an additional 2.1 km south to Sudbury Street, approximately 200 m south of Queen Street . Much more than a trail, the WTRPE is a major infrastructure project that includes four bridges, including a 350m-long elevated section crossing the Barrie rail corridor, two public squares and seven new community connections. read.

It also notes that the additions will eventually “provide direct access to WTRP from Lansdowne Avenue, Shirley Street, Northern Place, Delaney Crescent, Brock Avenue, Dufferin Street and Queen Street…providing a link essential connecting Junction neighborhoods all the way to downtown.

Verification of the quote occurs the same week as researchers found Metrolinx and the Ontario government are known for spending way too much money on other high-profile projects in Toronto — our next four subway lines, including the Ontario Line — due to “poor planning” and too many unnecessary consultations.

As a result, Toronto’s transportation projects cost up to ten times more than comparable lines in other major cities around the world.