The City of Toronto is poised to spend roughly $150 million to extend a popular railway trail for pedestrians and cyclists in the west end, but some councillors are questioning the project’s inflated price tag.
In 2016, the two-kilometre extension, to be built by provincial transit agency Metrolinx on the city’s behalf, was estimated to cost only $23 million.
But now the city is planning to spend $125.7 million on the extension because of costs they say weren’t factored into the initial estimate. The federal government is kicking in an additional $23 million.
“The bill that Metrolinx is sending to the city is unreasonable,” said Coun. Josh Matlow, who represents Toronto—St. Pauls. “It makes no sense.”
CBC Toronto reached out to Metrolinx about the higher price tag but was told to direct questions to the city.
The current West Toronto Railpath runs 2.1 kilometres north-south, from the Junction neighbourhood to Dundas Street West at Sterling Road.
The extension will connect the existing paved trail south from Dundas Street W. at Sterling Road to Abell and Sudbury streets. Construction is expected to begin mid-2025 and will take three years to complete, the city said.
“I just think we need to deliver better value for money for taxpayers here in Toronto,” said Coun. Brad Bradford, who represents Beaches—East York.
New estimate considers more construction costs: city
In an email on Wednesday, the city said the updated $150 million estimate contains a number of construction-related costs that were not included in the initial $23-million amount.
The original estimate did not include costs related to property acquisition, major utility relocations and noise walls, as well as engineering and assurance services.
It also did not consider increases in material cost due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic factors, the city said.
As well, the updated estimate factors in that four bridges will be built over the course of construction.
Geoff Jones, who runs on the trail everyday, says the cost is ultimately for the good of a “major artery” for the West End that has no car traffic.
“To me, it’s money well spent for people to have a recreational trail in their backyard that connects them from Dupont to Queen Street,” Jones said.
Zuzana Betkova, who also runs on the trail, said she is in favour of expanding biking trails and zones for pedestrians. But she wants to know why the cost estimate for the extension ballooned.
“Is anyone doing an audit?” she said.
Matlow said Metrolinx has not been transparent about the ballooning cost.
“Anywhere around the world, for that amount of money they could build rapid transit on two kilometers. rather than just a walking trail,” he said.
Safe pathways needed for pedestrians, cyclists: councillor
Coun. Alejandra Bravo, who represents Davenport, said Metrolinx will not build the path itself. Construction companies will place competitive bids to work on the project, which will impact the final price.
“I think the price tag that’s out there right now is not reflective of what the actual bid process will produce,” Bravo said. “I want to make sure that we see that number coming down.”
She said the city is not in a position to negotiate the cost because the plan was approved over a decade ago.
In an email, the city said council authorized Transportation Services to negotiate and enter into agreements with Metrolinx for the trail’s construction in 2017.
A detailed breakdown of the cost will be available after the construction contract is awarded, the city said.
Bravo said the project builds a trail connecting pedestrians and cyclists to a safe network that will take them downtown or to Etobicoke.
The extension will allow commuters to go from Dupont Street in the north, connect with the Bloor GO Station in the middle and the planned King-Liberty GO Station in the south.
“With the many pedestrians, cyclists, injuries and deaths that we’ve seen recently, there is an important duty on the city to act to make sure that we’re creating safe connections,” Bravo said.
Bravo and federal MP Julie Dzerowicz jointly announced the federal funding on Aug.1. Dzerowicz said the trail is a lifeline for the city.
“We desperately need more pathways like the West Toronto Railpath where we could walk, where we could cycle,” Dzerowicz said.
She said she is concerned there may be backlash against similar funding projects for trails in the future.
Bradford said he hopes Mayor Olivia Chow organizes a table with Metrolinx, contractors and consultants to get answers on why the project is costing so much.
“It’s one thing to go out and ask taxpayers to pay more money, but they expect to see value when it comes to capital, infrastructure improvements and services,” he said.
“And this is certainly not that. This is outrageous.”
Chow’s office did not respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.