Starting Construction of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line in 2026 - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

It will support 75,000 homes and serve more than 150,000 people who will live and work along the eastern waterfront. When it's built, we are expecting 50,000 daily riders. Now that we have the funding commitment, we can advance the work on the new line. The motions below establish a governance model and authorizes the required funding and authorities to begin early work on this new transit line. The reason for urgency is that we need to ensure construction can begin in the 2026 construction season.

design, procure and construct the following work packages either directly or through a third-party, including but not limited to Waterfront Toronto or the Toronto Transit Commission, or a combination thereof: i. early works for Queens Quay East Extension from Street A to Cherry Street; ii. early works for Queens Quay East Extension Reconstruction from Yonge Street to Street A; and iii. Traction Power Substation building envelope and enabling infrastructure within the Quayside development. b. either directly or through Waterfront Toronto or the Toronto Transit Commission, or a combination thereof to: i. retain a construction manager to undertake general design and construction readiness for priority Waterfront East Rapid Transit scope elements; and ii. complete the necessary environmental approvals, and advance design to 30% for rail tracks through the central waterfront. 3. City Council authorize an increase to the Transit Expansion Division's 2026 Capital Budget of $70 million in project cost and associated cash flow, fully funded through recoverable debt supported by the City Building Fund, to advance the design and construction of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit project. 4. City Council authorize the City Manager, or designate, to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements, including amendments thereto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, or designate, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, to facilitate the implementation of the works described above. 5. City Council authorize the City Manager, or designate, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to negotiate and execute any necessary agreements related to the Waterfront East Rapid Transit project with orders of government, including amendments thereto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, or designate, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 6. City Council endorse changing this project's name from Waterfront East Light Rail Transit to Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line.