TORONTO - A new report says the Toronto area has made solid economic gains in recent years, but many challenges lie ahead, particularly in the areas of transit, gridlock and deteriorating infrastructure.

With deficit-ridden governments reluctant to spend money, an aging population and an overvalued housing market, the report says continuing economic success "will not be easy."

It says a regional focus on transit should be a priority for local municipalities.

The report written by TD Bank Economists Derek Burleton and Sonya Gulati at the request of The Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance looked at the region's recent economic past and created a long term assessment of the future.

To drive development in an economically uncertain time, the report says the municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area and the city of Hamilton need to work together to increase the region's lagging productivity.

The report was released Thursday to help frame discussions at a CivicAction forum being held next week.