Motion For the West Scarborough Rail Trail - Parthi Kandavel

This is the first major step forward in decades for the creation of the West Scarborough Rail Trail. Let's support Councillor Parthi Kandavel by liking and sharing this post and emailing him your support at councillor_kandavel@toronto.ca .

 

 

MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE

 

Advancing the West Scarborough Rail Trail – Connecting Scarborough, Enhancing Mobility Options
Moved by:	Councillor	Parthi Kandavel
Seconded by:	Councillor	Jamaal Myers

                       

SUMMARY:

 The City of Toronto has implemented a number of successful off-street multi-use trails alongside rail corridors, including the Beltline Rail Trail, the Don Mills Rail Trail, the West Toronto Rail Trail, and the Etobicoke Creek Trail.

 In Scarborough, the corridor between Warden Subway Station and Kennedy Subway Station has long been advanced as a means of connecting the Scarborough Junction area, and Scarborough more broadly, to other recreational trails in Toronto. To the north, the Rail Trail would eventually connect to the east-west Meadoway linking Rouge Park and the central city, while to the south, the Rail Trail would present options for connecting to Taylor Massey Creek Trail.

 In July 2022, City Council adopted a motion directing Transportation Services to report on implementation recommendations from the Warden Woods Community Secondary Plan for a West Scarborough Rail Trail along the former GN-GECO rail spur line. City Council considered these recommendations in June 2024, with a subsequent feasibility study presented in Q3 2026.

 To advance the feasibility of the West Scarborough Rail Trail, this motion requests Transportation Services initiate a study to advance next steps, including preliminary design work and identifying property requirements and cost estimates. The motion would also direct city staff to work collaboratively with partners, including the TTC, to reserve necessary rights relating to the Warden Storage track and associated Warden spur bridge, in order to implement the West Scarborough Rail Trail.

 The motion was developed by City Staff in Transportation Services and Corporate Real Estate Management, with TTC awareness.

 Reason for Urgency:

 This motion is urgent as Council direction on this approach to support the West Scarborough Rail Trail is needed to inform the 30% design for the Warden Storage Track Project which TTC is finalizing by Q1 2026.

 RECOMMENDATIONS: 

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to initiate a study to advance the next steps for the West Scarborough Rail Trail including initiating a minimum of 10% functional design, identifying potential opportunities to achieve a continuous multi-use trail experience to address challenges that were identified in the feasibility assessment completed in 2024, as well as identifying property requirements and preliminary cost estimates for the rail trail project, and to consider including delivery of the trail as part of the next near-term Cycling Network Plan (2028-2030), subject to resolution of constraints identified in the feasibility study, and subject to available funding.

 

2. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to reserve necessary rights in favour of Transportation Services to preserve options for a future West Scarborough Rail Trail development, including future pedestrian and cycling connections, in any future transfer of operational management decisions relating to the Warden Storage Track and associated Warden spur bridge.

 

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to work with Toronto Transit Commission staff to review opportunities to advance design and / or construction of the West Scarborough Rail Trail segment within or immediately adjacent to the limits of the Warden Storage Track Project in conjunction with the TTC’s Line 2 Capacity Enhancement Program’s Warden Storage Track Project, subject to available funding for the West Scarborough Rail Trail project. 

 Date December 2025