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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.