Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced that he anticipates Metrolinx and the construction team for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will soon transfer the project to Toronto’s transit authority.
These remarks were made at a different event on Tuesday, where he mentioned that the Eglinton LRT is expected to start operations by September, with full practice runs beginning soon.
“Yes, I’m receiving positive feedback about the Eglinton route, and hopefully, we’ll be handing it over to the TTC in the coming weeks,” Ford stated.
“They will conduct their trial runs — and thankfully so. That’s all I can say regarding this project.”
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The premier responded to inquiries about whether the route would be accessible to the public by September.
Metrolinx, the provincial body overseeing the LRT’s development, did not provide answers regarding the opening timeline. The TTC also stated it has “no updated timelines available yet.”
The Eglinton LRT has experienced numerous delays and legal challenges in recent years, resulting in the removal of any set opening date. In 2023, following multiple postponements, Metrolinx announced it would not declare an opening date until three months prior to operations starting.
The group responsible for constructing the line has filed lawsuits against Metrolinx, citing various issues and at one point claiming they were “hamstrung” by the TTC’s demands in completing the project.
Former Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster frequently raised concerns about software problems with the trains’ signaling and control systems.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles expressed that she would reserve her celebration for when the line actually opens.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” she commented. “Perhaps the premier would like to take a ride with me.”
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this, about 13 years now? It’s been a mess, but I’ll hold my judgment until I see it come to fruition.”
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