by David fleischer

Metrolinx, the regional transit authority, formally approved its $50-billion plan for transit expansion Friday and quickly recommended funding for the expansion of York's Viva bus transit.

The construction of bus-only rapidways on Hwy. 7 and Yonge Street was listed as among the 15 priority projects that could be immediately implemented as part of a $7-billion, five-year capital plan.

Also approved were plans to construct light rail transit on Sheppard Avenue, connecting the subway to Scarborough.

"We are confident that the (plan's) construction program will generate almost 430,000 jobs in Ontario. In the first full year of construction alone, the plan will create an estimated 17,000 jobs," Metrolinx chairperson Rob MacIsaac said.

Metrolinx is digging into the $11.5 billion set aside by the province for its prioritized transit projects.

Those also include the Yonge and Spadina subway extensions.

A first phase of "quick win" projects is already under way.

Funding for a third phase of projects remains to be determined. A 2013 report by Metrolinx will lay out options, possibly including some form of road tolls.

By the end of Metrolinx's 25-year vision, more than 80 per cent of people in the GTHA will live within two kilometres of rapid transit, compared to just 42 per cent now.

They hope twice as many people as now will take advantage of transit, reducing overall commute times even as the population grows.