Eglinton Crosstown LRT Set to Launch After Protracted Delays
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT, a transit project plagued by years of setbacks and billions in cost overruns, is finally scheduled to commence operations this weekend. Toronto Transit Commission CEO Mandeep Lali announced at a board meeting that Line 5 will officially open on Sunday, offering free rides to passengers on its inaugural day of service.
Phased Opening Strategy Adopted
Lali revealed that the launch will follow a phased approach, allowing transit authorities to monitor performance and implement necessary upgrades in a controlled manner. "This allows us to monitor performance, validate it collectively, and also allows upgrades that we know are coming, to be phased in in a controlled manner," Lali explained during the meeting. "Only once that occurs will we jointly fully announce the line to move on from a phased opening into a full opening."
Each phase will introduce extended service hours and additional system enhancements as the TTC works to resolve any operational issues that may arise. This cautious strategy comes in response to the problematic launch of the Finch West LRT's Line 6, which experienced slow service and weather-related delays following its December opening.
Learning from Past Transit Launches
The TTC plans to actively seek customer feedback throughout the phased opening period, aiming to ensure reliable service before transitioning to full operation. "Moving only to full operation when all performance indicates we are ready to open as a line," Lali emphasized, highlighting lessons learned from previous transit project launches.
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria expressed optimism about the upcoming launch, noting that extensive testing has been conducted on the line. "There's been millions of miles that have been put on that from a testing perspective," Sarkaria stated during a recent construction announcement in Durham. "Our teams are working with the TTC on this to ensure that we have seamless operations ... and any challenges or any opportunities that we've learned from Finch that we can relate to Eglinton LRT as well."
Project Scope and Financial Challenges
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT represents a significant infrastructure investment with substantial financial implications:
- Original budget: $5 billion
- Current estimated cost: Approximately $13 billion
- Route length: 19 kilometres with 25 stops
- Connections: Three subway stations and 54 bus routes
- Key terminals: Kennedy Station in Scarborough to Mount Dennis stop near Weston Road
The Mount Dennis station will provide connections to GO trains and the Union Pearson Express rail line, while Kennedy Station includes a GO stop. To accommodate the new LRT service, 35 bus routes will undergo modifications, with some changes already implemented in anticipation of the line's opening.
Operational Details and Future Plans
Similar to the Finch LRT, passengers will be required to pay fares at surface platforms rather than on vehicles. The TTC has identified transit signal priority as a critical focus area to ensure efficient travel across the city without unnecessary delays at major intersections.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is owned by Metrolinx and will be operated by the TTC, with maintenance responsibilities handled by Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the construction consortium that built the line. This collaborative approach aims to deliver a reliable transit option for Toronto residents after years of anticipation and frustration over project delays.
