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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.