Item - 2024.EX18.8

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend Section 937-3.9 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, to:

a. delete the phrase "Regional Express Rail" where it occurs and replace it with the phrase "GO Expansion Program"; and

b. delete the phrase "March 31, 2025" and replace it with "December 31, 2031" such that the General Manager, Transportation Services will be delegated the authority to temporarily close to vehicular and pedestrian traffic highways or portions of highways for a period up to and including 365 consecutive days, until December 31, 2031, with the exception of those highways listed in Section 937-4 of Chapter 937, as required for the purposes of the construction of the Metrolinx GO Expansion Program, and to exempt the General Manager, Transportation Services in carrying out this extended delegation from Section 937-5 of Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, that being the requirement to notify the local Ward Councillor of the pending closure and the requirement to report on the proposed closure if so requested by the local Ward Councillor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services, upon confirmation from Metrolinx of the total cost of the basic grade separation for the road-under-rail grade separation along Steeles Avenue East, east of Kennedy Road, and upon confirmation of the municipal cost contribution for the basic grade separation, to issue an invoice and/or receive payment from The Regional Municipality of York to recover 50 percent of the municipal cost of the basic grade separation.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to:

a. report back to the April 14, 2025 meeting of the Executive Committee on Metrolinx’s compliance with Toronto Water’s design review processes on the Barrie Rail Corridor; and

b. request Metrolinx to undertake an investigation and provide an engineering report that addresses the localized flooding of homes and other properties caused by Metrolinx’s regrading of the Barrie Rail Corridor, lack of maintenance of Metrolinx catch basins along the Barrie Rail Corridor, and which includes steps for mitigation and cost sharing to rectify issues.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with an update on Metrolinx’s progress on the GO Expansion Program (GOE Program). The GOE Program will expand and improve service on the GO rail network to meet the needs of Toronto and the growing region. The information contained in this report reflects the status of the GOE Program’s three main packages of work, namely, Enabling Works, Off-Corridor and On-Corridor Works (OnCorr) provided to Transit Expansion by Metrolinx, since City staff last reported to Executive Committee in October 2023.

The GOE Program is comprised of multiple projects. Metrolinx is currently in the construction phase for the majority of the Enabling Works and some Off-Corridor Works, which will be followed by OnCorr works. OnCorr, which contains the electrification and additional track installation along certain corridors, is currently in a development phase, where the scope, design, and pricing are being re-evaluated.

City staff are engaged in reviewing GOE Program designs, facilitating permits and approvals, and generally advocating for and protecting City interests through all stages of Metrolinx’s project delivery. City staff are guided by existing agreements between the City and Metrolinx, such as the Council-approved GO Expansion Master Agreement.

This report includes a request from the General Manager, Transportation Services for a time extension of the temporary delegation of authority to allow for up to 365-day consecutive road, lane and sidewalk closure permits to support the GOE Program from March 31, 2025, to December 31, 2031. In addition, this report also seeks Council authority to receive funds from the Region of York for their share of the capital costs of the Steeles Avenue Grade Separation.