Toronto is set to invest heavily in fixing its aging infrastructure, aiming to reduce a significant repair backlog.
Toronto: The city is gearing up to tackle its crumbling infrastructure. You might start seeing some changes around community centers, parks, and the TTC. They’re planning to invest big bucks to fix things up.
Right now, they’re working on the 2025 budget. While the $18.8 billion operating budget grabs headlines, the capital budget is where the real action is for repairs. Last year, the repair backlog was pretty alarming, sitting at $9.4 billion. But with a historic $6 billion boost, they’re hoping to turn things around.
Even though the backlog is expected to grow to $18 billion by 2034, it’s still a better outlook than last year’s prediction of $22.7 billion. Stephen Conforti, the city’s CFO, says this budget is a solid step forward.
So, what led to this mess? Well, a lot of it comes from years of low taxes and not enough investment in keeping things up to snuff. People are noticing the issues, like slow transit and leaking roofs in libraries. It’s a classic case of putting off maintenance.
Conforti points out that much of the city’s infrastructure is aging, thanks to big investments made back in the 1960s. Now, it’s all reaching the end of its life cycle at once.
On the bright side, some deals with the province and federal government are helping. The planned upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to the province means Toronto can shift $1.75 billion into repairs this year. That’s a game changer!
While the upload isn’t finalized, the city is already getting funds to cover costs. The Gardiner was a huge liability, so this is a relief. Plus, there’s funding coming in for new subway trains, which is also a big win.
Residents can expect to see some real improvements soon. Siemiatycki, from the Infrastructure Institute, says it’s great to see the repair backlog getting prioritized. Some things, like roads, are more noticeable, and people are definitely feeling the difference.
With the backlog still outpacing investments, the city needs to focus on visible, high-quality work. They want folks to feel like their tax dollars are being well spent. The TTC, parks, and community housing are set to benefit the most from this funding boost.
From fixing up pools to renovating washrooms, Conforti believes Torontonians will notice some tangible improvements in the coming years.
