Metrolinx flip flop flips on tunneling under Leslie

The Ontario agency charged with planning and overseeing the construction of transit, Metrolinx, has reversed itself a second time after complaints from the Leaside Property Owners Association. Metrolinx has now decided that the Scarboro Crosstown LRT will not be tunneled across the Don Valley and under the tributary that runs there. For cost reasons the underground route would have required the elimination of the Leslie St.. station. To build the station underground would have cost an additional $80 million. Now however, Metrolinx says the station will be built at surface level as ratepayers have demanded. In announcing this decision Metrolinx has apparently not mentioned a reason given to ratepayers at a public meeting in December as to why the line should go underground all the way to Don Mills. That concern stated unspecified issues with regard to the integrity of the foundation of the huge Scenic on Eglinton development on the south side of Eglunton Ave. E. if the tracks proceeded at ground level. Where this concern, if it was real,  has gone to is not known.  Previous post