Ontario government approves Toronto's new SmartTrack stations

John Tory'splan to build six new SmartTrack stations has cleared an important regulatory hurdle, according to the mayor's office.

Ontario Environment Minister Rod Phillips signed the necessary regulations, the mayor's office said Tuesday, soToronto and Metrolinxcan move forward with construction.

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"This is an important step forward in getting SmartTrack up and running to provide real transit relief for Toronto residents," said Mayor John Tory in a press release.

"I want to thank Minister Rod Phillips for approving this environmental assessment in a timely manner and helping us get on with the critically important work of building transit and getting people moving in Toronto."

The city and Metrolinxare now set to moveto the final stage in the environmental approval process issuing a statement of completion soconstruction can start on the new stations.

In December, Toronto city council voted 36-6 to approve the locations and design of six SmartTrack stations, which will be built on the existing GO Transit corridors that cutthrough the city.

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Last month, the city agreed to contribute nearly $1.5 billion to fund theSmartTrackplan.

Tory'sSmartTrackplan was a signature proposal of his winning 2014 election campaign, but has been significantly scaled back.

The original plancalled for building53 km of new railtracks and 22 new transit stations.

The six stations will be at St. Clair-Old Weston, King-Liberty, East Harbour,Gerrard-Carlaw,Lawrence-Kennedy, and
Finch-Kennedy.