After nearly two decades of discussions, planning, construction, and testing, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) riders are finally set to benefit from the long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT). Ontario Premier Doug Ford has seemingly confirmed that the line is scheduled for public opening on February 8. Ford shared the news with reporters after an announcement at Queen's Park, where he stated that he was informed about the opening date by the TTC.
According to sources, 680 NewsRadio has also verified that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will indeed open on February 8, with the TTC planning to make an official announcement later this week. When asked about the impending opening, Ford expressed relief, stating, “We inherited (the line), we took the responsibility. Thank God it’s opening. They’ve done hundreds of thousands of kilometers of testing, and it’s going to finally get finished.” He acknowledged the difficulties faced during the project's development and thanked officials from the City of Toronto and Metrolinx for their collaboration throughout the process.
The TTC's information page on Line 5 Eglinton has yet to specify an opening date, but does mention that it is “coming soon.” The announcement of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT's official launch comes closely on the heels of a declaration of “substantial completion,” certified by independent engineers confirming that the 19-kilometer line with 25 stations was built according to the original design specifications.
Following this declaration, the TTC assumed full operational control over the trains running along the line and has been conducting evaluations to ensure readiness. A significant operational test of the line took place recently, involving transit staff assessing final preparations for the opening.
The journey to completing the Eglinton Crosstown LRT has been fraught with challenges, including numerous delays and operational issues. Originally proposed under former mayor David Miller’s Transit City plan in 2007, the project aimed to connect Mount Dennis in the west with Kennedy subway station in the east along Eglinton Avenue. Despite early plans, construction did not formally commence until 2011 under the governance of the previous provincial Liberal government.
The initial target completion date for the project was set for 2020. However, this deadline has been extended multiple times due to various complications, including legal matters, construction setbacks, and COVID-19-related delays. Reports indicate that problems like poor construction quality, signaling system flaws requiring software upgrades, and even incidents of minor collisions during testing have plagued the project. At one point, officials acknowledged there were around 260 deficiencies that required remediation.
The extended construction period and road closures have significantly impacted many small businesses, notably in the area known as Little Jamaica, prompting calls for governmental financial support. Additionally, there have been repeated demands from opposition parties and community members for a public inquiry into the entire Eglinton Crosstown project. However, the Ford government has thus far resisted calls for such an investigation.
This groundbreaking transit project represents a significant milestone in improving Toronto’s public transportation landscape, yet its tumultuous history serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in large infrastructure endeavors.
