TORONTO VOTES: Chow questions Tory’s SmartTrack policy
Olivia Chow has questioned the surface-rail centerpiece of John Tory’s mayoral campaign, SmartTrack, by pointing out it faces physical obstacles in Toronto’s west end.
Olivia Chow has questioned the surface-rail centerpiece of John Tory’s mayoral campaign, SmartTrack, by pointing out it faces physical obstacles in Toronto’s west end.
Chow on Tuesday morning stood on Eglinton Avenue West and recalled Tory, speaking at two recent debates, said he won’t have to buy land, dig tunnels or build on roads to create his 53-kilometere, 22-stop electrified commuter lines.
"You see behind me there are homes already being built," Chow said at the corner of Widdicombe Hill Boulevard, where she said part of the possible right of way for Tory’s project has been sold.
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More townhouses will be built in SmartTrack’s path along Eglinton West, she added, asking how Tory can build 12 kilometres of "heavy rail" from Mount Dennis to Mississauga without expensive land expropriations or tunneling.
If Tory can’t answer, "he hasn’t done his homework," said Chow, who since falling behind Tory has started saying the frontrunner in the mayoral race "will say anything" to get elected.
SmartTrack will mostly run in the province’s GO rail corridors, but this will not be possible around where Chow was standing.
At city hall, Rob Ford said people in Etobicoke do not want Eglinton to be "ripped up from Mount Dennis to Martin Grove" for SmartTrack, and accused Tory of planning just that.
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"I just want him to be truthful and come out and say it."
Tory, in a release, called Chow’s press conference a stunt. Later, he said there may have to be some tunneling for SmartTrack "if and when and where necessary," but it will not tear up lanes on Eglinton.
Most of it can be done on the right of way, he added, but "there are some areas around Eglinton where you might have to tunnel a bit. It will be done."
Tory added he never said there would be no tunneling, adding his plan was being attacked by opponents who don’t want to talk about details of their own transit plans.
Chow last week also questioned the speed in which SmartTrack could be completed, recalling Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig had said electrification of GO lines would take at least 10 years, but Tory said SmartTrack could be done in seven. Tory replied he would push the province hard to have the two GO lines his project needs electrified "well within 10 years."
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