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Councillor Josh Matlow is urging the TTC to look at “every possible way” to avoid shutting down a portion of the Yonge subway line between Eglinton and St. Clair for track work next year.

The transit commission, which is mulling plans to replace the 60-year-old track bed on that portion of the line, has yet to confirm a timeline for the closure. But Mr. Matlow, the local councillor, says the TTC must be “proactive” and seek alternate solutions.

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“Thousands of commuters rely on the Yonge line every day. Obviously it’s not a local issue… it’s the whole city,” Mr. Matlow said Thursday, noting the transit commission should look at all options, including keeping a portion of the tracks open. “Before we just give in and say, ‘OK, you’re going to shut down the tracks,’ I want to know without a doubt that they’ve looked at every possible way to keep service open.”

TTC spokesman Brad Ross said all options remained on the table, with the transit commission in the process of determining when to undertake the repairs. He could not confirm that a shutdown would be necessary, but if so, that portion of the Yonge line could be out of service for days or even weeks.