Bombardier Insists Its Rail Cars Can Navigate Toronto's Hills, Curves

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - Bombardier representatives will meet Friday with Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) officials to defend the rail car design the commission rejected for failing to meet safety standards.

Officials of the Montreal-based firm, the largest rail car maker in the world, will attempt to push through its proposal to supply TTC with $1.25 billion worth of rail cars.

Mike Hardt, Bombardier vice president, insists their design can maneuver through Toronto's curves and hills. The company spent $2 million to complete the design, which includes computer modeling showing how the streetcars will navigate Ontario's tracks using the parameters Bombardier received from the TTC as a bidder.

Meanwhile, the TTC announced Thursday it will break ground on a $2 billion Spadina subway extension in early September, over two years after the plan was revealed.

After the groundbreaking ceremonies, preparatory work will be completed for the 5.3-mile (8.6 kilometer) expansion that will have six stops, including York University.

Adam Giambrone, TTC chairman, said the subway extension's formal launch will be scheduled within two to three months.