Item - 2025.EX20.9

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve the 10 percent functional design for the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit, as described in Attachment 1 to the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion. 

2. City Council approve the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit Kennedy Station Alternative Design as outlined in the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion and as shown in Figure 5 of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, as the basis for advancing the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit design at the Kennedy station interface of the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit, Line 2 and the Scarborough Subway Extension.

3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to continue exploring the three alternative Maintenance and Storage Facility sites noted in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion and report back to City Council in the first quarter of 2026 to:

a. confirm the preferred alternative Maintenance and Storage Facility site; and

b. seek any necessary authorities to advance the preferred alternative Maintenance and Storage Facility site to 10 percent design.

4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to undertake the necessary works to prepare the project for the next phase of design, using funds previously approved in 2023 as part of EX10.17 and subsequently included in Transit Expansion Division’s 2024–2033 Capital Budget and Plan, including:

a. completion of a Constructability Assessment that will examine project sequencing, risks and interface challenges including Province’s Sheppard Subway Extension as well as the Scarborough Subway Extension, initial cost estimates and procurement considerations;

b. development of a project management and resourcing plan;

c. market sounding to verify the procurement approach for the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit, including light rail vehicles, in consultation with the Toronto Transit Commission;

d. updated and supplementary traffic and Light Rail Transit operations assessments based on current transit and transportation network information;

e. Subsurface Utility Engineering Level B investigations and topographic surveys along the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit corridor for key locations;    

f. commencement of an Environmental Assessment study for the Morningside Bridge-Highway 401 ramp reconfiguration included in the 10 percent design;

g. study confirming the New Military Trail right-of way configuration to complement the Light Rail Transit and the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Master Plan, and commencement of an Environmental Assessment for a new roadway, in collaboration with Transportation Services; and

h. continued engagement with interested parties, including Indigenous rightsholders and the public related to relevant studies, assessments and property requirements.

5. Subject to City Council approval of Recommendation 4 above, and upon the completion of the Constructability Assessment, City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to report back to City Council in the first quarter of 2026 with a recommended approach to advance the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit alignment to the next phase of design (30 percent), including a phasing approach that addresses the uncertainty and the potential overlap with the Sheppard Subway Extension, along Sheppard Avenue between Sheppard-McCowan Station and the new Maintenance and Storage Facility location.

6. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion remain confidential at this time, as it contains commercial information, supplied in confidence to the City, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization and it involves the security of the property belonging to the City of Toronto.

7. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (January 14, 2025) from the Executive Director, Transit Expansion following the Executive Director, Transit Expansion’s confirmation of the completion of the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit.

8. City Council endorse the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit project as a priority project for funding under the Canada Public Transit Fund and City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, in consultation with the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to take any necessary steps to work with the Provincial Government to prioritize the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit for funding under the Canada Public Transit Fund.

9. City Council delegate standing authority to the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, or designate, to sign and submit all documentation required to obtain the necessary permits and approvals under all applicable provincial and federal laws required to deliver the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit.

10. City Council forward the Item to the Toronto Transit Commission Board for information.

The Eglinton East Light Rail Transit (EELRT) is a proposed 18.6-kilometre LRT in Scarborough, with a total of 27 stops, from Kennedy Station to Sheppard-McCowan Station and Malvern Town Centre.

In December 2023, City Council adopted, with amendments, EX10.17, which approved the EELRT alignment. In accordance with Council direction under that report, and to further advance the EELRT, City staff have:

- Concluded the EELRT 10 percent functional design stage and the corresponding Transit and Rail Projects Assessment Process (TRPAP);

- Identified alternative Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) sites should permanent access to the preferred MSF site at 8300 Sheppard Avenue (Conlins Yard) not be available;

- Explored opportunities for a stop at Morningside Park;

- Investigated the opportunity for the cycling network to include off-street cycling facilities through the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) campus; and

- Developed a Kennedy Station Alternative Design that removed EELRT structural dependence on the Province’s Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) tunnel box structure.

This report provides an update on the items noted above as well as the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project and intergovernmental funding related to the EELRT.

To continue advancing the EELRT project, this report seeks Council approval for:

- The 10 percent functional design;

- Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, to sign and submit all documentation required to obtain the necessary permits and approvals under all applicable provincial and federal laws required to deliver the EELRT, including the Statement of Completion. This authority is required conclude the TRPAP.

- The Kennedy Station Alternative Design as the basis for advancing the EELRT design at the Kennedy Station interface.

- Further exploring alternative MSF sites.

- Proceeding with work necessary to advance to the next phase of design (30 percent) within existing funding. This includes a Constructability Assessment that will:

- Examine project sequencing;

- Identify risks and interface challenges including with Province’s Sheppard Subway Extension as well as the Scarborough Subway Extension; and

- Provide initial cost estimates and procurement considerations.

- Endorsing the EELRT project as a priority project for funding under the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).

Subject to Council approval of the recommendations in this report, City staff will report back in Q1 2026 with an update on the EELRT.