What feels like a long long time ago, an announcement was made that the University-Spadina subway line would be extended up to York University and all the way into Vaughan. The expansion was then shelved because of a lack of commitment (and money) from the federal government. The Star is reporting that next week that funding will be in place, and work on the project can begin. With the city, the province, and the feds all kicking in their part of the $2 billion price tag (the feds with an announced $697 million), this seems just like what the city needs, right?

While this certainly is good news, one has to wonder if this is the best use of a half a billion dollars for transit in Toronto. Yes, it extends transit out to those living in the suburbs (something we've established as an important goal), but does it help improve transit overall in the city?

With funding for transit coming in short bursts, it makes it impossible for the TTC to respond to the city's growth and continue expansion in a way that makes sense. While this announcement is obviously a votes-buy with both provincial and federal elections coming up this year, it doesn't necessarily help the city. Since we usually can't trust "senior" levels of government to look out for Toronto's best interests, it's worth reading what the experts have to say on the subject. As it stands, this is a mixed-blessing for the city: yes, the TTC is expanding, but for the time and cost it will take to add these five subway stops, is it in the right way?

Image from the TTC.