Metrolinx said it has completed the planning and design work for the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT) project.
“This work included environmental studies and the completion of two business cases — an Initial Business Case (IBC) and the Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) — which evaluated the preferred design and project benefits,” said an announcement.
It said Durham Region has received Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding for delivery of core segments of the DSBRT and is leading detailed design, planning, and construction for those select segments.
The purpose of the Durham-Scarborough BRT project (DSBRT) is to create seamless connections with local transit networks along the high-demand Highway 2-Ellesmere corridor, providing residents of Durham Region and City of Toronto more flexibility and choice to get where they need to go faster and
more reliably in an area with significant anticipated population and employment growth.
This project will increase capacity for people movement along the corridor, providing an alternative to trips that would otherwise be done by automobile.
Scarborough to Oshawa
The Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) evaluates Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) options along the Highway 2-Ellesmere corridor, spanning 36 km between Downtown Oshawa and Scarborough Centre Station at the Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE). The project links
multiple municipalities, including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering, and Toronto.
Metrolinx presented strategic case findings which outline how the investment options will support and help achieve regional and local development objectives for transportation, economic development, and sustainable and healthy communities along the Highway 2-Ellesmere corridor.
Key Takeaways
Strong Connections: DSBRT will connect people to the places that improve their lives, such as homes, jobs, community services, parks and open spaces, recreation, and cultural activities. All DSBRT investment options will attract new trips (1,200 to 2,400 during the 7-hour peak in 2041), provide a faster journey (saving 10 to 13 hours per passenger per year), and improve connections to frequent transit routes.
Complete Travel Experiences: DSBRT will enable an easy, safe, accessible, affordable, and comfortable door-to-door travel experience that meets the diverse needs of travellers. All options will increase the number of people within a 10-minute walk of a DSBRT stop, create a better transfer experience, and provide more one-seat continuous rides. All options will be within a 10-minute walk of 146,000 residents, including many equity-deserving groups such as immigrants, visible minorities, Indigenous people, seniors, unemployed persons, lower-income households, and those in subsidized/affordable housing.
Sustainable and Healthy Communities: DSBRT is a transportation investment that will benefit future generations by supporting land use intensification, climate resiliency, and a low-carbon footprint.
Economic Development: DSBRT will expand access to jobs and economic opportunities while increasing connectivity to foster opportunities and growth for residents and businesses. All investment options increase the number of jobs within a 45-minute transit trip (206 to 248 additional jobs in 2041), improve access to existing and planned affordable housing units (4,600 as of 2024), and connects to intensification areas.
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