History
The Downtown Relief Line was originally one of the three routes proposed in the Network 2011 plan, released by the TTC in 1985. Its main purpose was to relieve the forecast overcrowding on the Yonge line, particularly at Bloor-Yonge station. The Downtown Relief Line disappeared from the transit radar soon after the province delayed approving Metropolitan Toronto's Network 2011 plan. The provincial government was alarmed over the construction cost and withdrew political support for the new line.
Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac stated in 2008 that the line is unlikely to be brought forward from its projected 2020 start date but deems it of "regional significance". In 2009, Toronto council has also expressed support for this plan. By late 2011 and early 2012, there was renewed interest in the proposal among mainstream media and the general populace. In March 2012, TTC CEO Andy Byford stressed there is great need for additional subway capacity with the increasing rate of population growth in Toronto, and capacity issues along the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. "The downtown relief line has got to be looked at and has got to be talked about right now." Metrolinx officials have stated that capacity issues may allow the DRL to be given higher priority in their regional transportation plan, The Big Move. In late 2012, the TTC has stressed that there is a significant need for additional rapid transit capacity in downtown Toronto in the next 30 years.
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