The planned extension of a two-kilometer path for walking and cycling from Roncesvalles to Liberty Village on the western edge of Toronto has raised eyebrows due to the expected cost of $150 million.

Councillor Josh Matlow told CP24 on Tuesday, "We all want this to happen, but the $150 million price tag from Metrolinx is absolutely unreasonable."

The West Toronto rail trail is a 2.1-kilometer path for walking, running, and cycling along the stretch of railway corridor in The Junction.

The proposed extension of the West Toronto rail trail will add another two kilometers from Dundas Street west at Sterling Road to Apple Street at Sudbury Street, just north of Liberty Village. The path will run next to the Kitchener Go railway corridor.

The project is being built by Metrolinx, which operates the rail lines, but the city and federal government are funding it.

Public consultations held in 2020 found that "people are excited" about the extension, although they wanted to see it built sooner. Now, the soaring cost has led some councillors to question the price.

Councillor Brad Bradford told CTV Toronto, "I think we need to have a conversation about value for money, and we can all agree that extending the existing pedestrian and cyclist corridor makes a lot of sense, but not at any cost."

He noted that the project was estimated to cost around $23 million when it was proposed in 2016, and that the cost now is nearly six times that, at about $75,000 per meter of the path.

Bradford said, "The city cannot afford that. We just came out of a nearly double-digit tax increase in the City of Toronto, and when people hear the idea of $150 million to extend a bike path by two kilometers, I think their heads will explode," "I mean, people expect us to be accountable to taxpayers and show good value for money, and with all the pressing priorities, I mean you could build two community centers for $150 million."

He acknowledged that labor and material costs have risen since then and that working in an area where transit expansion is occurring adds some complexity, however, he said the city "cannot just write blank checks."

Matlow also stated that he does not trust Metrolinx due to the massive costs and time overruns of the Elgin Crosstown project, which still has no opening date after years it was supposed to be completed.

Bradford said that Metrolinx controls the corridors, so it is understandable that we have to partner with them, but handing over so many city tax dollars to a regional agency that has shown no accountability or transparency for many years regarding how tax dollars are spent overall, without challenging them to cut costs and showing us very detailed breakdowns of how the money is being spent, I think it is irresponsible.

Bradford added that the project should go back to the drawing board to find cost savings, or be scrapped, while Matlow said he wants to see the extension built but at a much better value for money.

He said, "Most cities around the world are actually building much larger projects – including high-speed rail – for the same price, if not less, per kilometer." "The work needs to be done, but I want to see accountability for the money."

In an email statement, Metrolinx said that while they have been asked to assist in the construction, the city "is in the best position to respond" to questions about the project and its costs.