Eglinton Crosstown LRT delayed once again, Metrolinx says

Anyone looking forward to using the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will have to wait a bit longer.

On Friday, Metrolinx President, Phil Verster, announced the Eglinton Crosstown LRT’s service will be delayed, once again. The long-delayed transit line was expected to be finished by the end of 2022.

“We had expected the Eglinton Crosstown LRT to be fully built, thoroughly tested, and in service this fall in accordance with our project agreement with Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the construction consortium responsible for building the project,” the written statement reads.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions is the consortium tasked with constructing the 19-kilometre route from Weston to Kennedy roads.

“Unfortunately, while progress has been made, Crosslinx Transit Solutions have fallen behind schedule, are unable to finalize construction and testing, and therefore the system will not be operational on this timeline.”

Toronto-St. Paul’s MPP Jill Andrew said business owners in Little Jamaica who have endured these “never-ending delays” deserve to be compensated for their financial losses throughout the prolonged construction period.

In light of this further disruption, the Government should immediately pass my motion for the “Little Jamaica Small Business and Community Economic Health and Wellness Strategy,’” Andrew said.

“This includes needs-based financial compensation for small businesses that continue to be impacted by the decade-long LRT construction, and mandated timely and transparent communication to the community from Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation, and Ministry of Small Businesses.”

Mayor John Tory called news of the delay "absolutely brutal for residents, businesses, and commuters along Eglinton Avenue right across our city" in a statement on Friday. 

"The Eglinton Crosstown LRT needs to open as soon as possible," he said

Metrolinx did not mention any set date or timeline for when the transit line will be complete, but acknowledged how difficult the construction has been for those who work or drive along the Eglinton corridor.

“We are doing everything to hold Crosslinx Transit Solutions accountable and to redouble efforts to meet their commitments and complete the work quickly so we can welcome riders onto a complete, tested, and fully operational Eglinton Crosstown Eglinton LRT as soon as possible,” the statement reads.

Construction of the Eglinton Crosstown started in 2011, with the project originally expected to finish in 2020.