TTC CEO Andy Byford says there's an urgent need for a downtown relief line to take some pressure off the Yonge line.

He says it becomes more obvious everyday that the Yonge and Bloor bottleneck needs to be addressed. Studies show that the population south of College between Bathurst and Parliament is on track to doubling, which will increase demand for transit by 50 per cent.

Byford says the longer trains and other control measures will stem the flow a little longer but he realizes planning for a DRL will have to start soon as any project won't be ready for 8-10 years.

The DRL will cost an estimated $3.2 billion. The initial study, approved by city council in January, has cost $2.28 million, while the next phase of the study, approved last month, is set to cost $1 million.

There is a report on the Downtown Relief Line at the Oct. 24 commission meeting.