This winter has not been kind to the Scarborough RT, but if things go well it could be the last for the troubled system that carries thousands of Scarborough residents every day.
The recent shut downs and interruptions on the 6.4 kilometre line caused by extreme weather aren't speeding up the planned revamp of the six station RT, but they do underline the need to move quickly on it.
The Scarborough Rapid Transit Benefits Case report prepared by Metrolinx was released last month presenting the case for the four options for the upgrade, as well as the base case, which is not business as usual.
City Councillor and TTC chairman Adam Giambrone said a decision would be made on the preferred option in the next couple of months, which would then just leave the question of funding.
"Funding is being worked out and construction is expected to begin in 2010," he said.
The line, which opened in 1985, needs to be replaced by 2015 as the current vehicles are nearing the end of their life and it is operating at capacity during peak demand. It carried 26,000 passengers a day when it opened and today it is estimated to carry more than 4,000 passengers an hour during peak times.
"It can not continue to function the way it is now," Giambrone said. "It is one of the main priorities because it is at the end of its useful life."
The line connects the subway at Kennedy Station in the south to the transit hub at the Scarborough Town Centre and then ends one station east at McCowan Road. The line almost runs entirely through Ward 37 (Scarborough Centre) Councillor Michael Thompson's ward.
He said he sometimes gets calls of complaints from constituents about the line and he knows there is tremendous demand and pressure on the system now. He said he worked when he was TTC chairman to ensure the system would be there for future users.
"It is extremely important that people understand the system will be there and the system will be expanded further north," Thompson said. "The plan to replace the system is in place."
The different options differ in terms of which technology to use to upgrade the SRT, as well as which route to take upon expansion.
Giambrone said as the owner of the line, the ultimate decision is up to the TTC. He said a decision on the technology and route will be made in the next couple of months.
He hopes the money will be announced by then too.
"We're hoping for some sort of funding announcement from the provincial budget," he said. The budget is expected to be released in April.