Eglinton LRT Finally Set to Open After Years of Delays, Ford Declines Inquiry
After more than a decade of construction plagued by delays and budget overruns, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is scheduled to open to the public this Sunday. However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has firmly rejected demands for a public inquiry into what caused the extensive setbacks, stating that the focus should now shift to future transit projects.
Premier and Officials Celebrate Opening Amid Lingering Questions
At a ceremony held at the soon-to-be-opened Eglinton Station on Friday, Premier Doug Ford was joined by Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and numerous dignitaries to mark the completion of Line 5. When pressed by reporters about launching an investigation into the prolonged construction timeline, Ford responded with a definitive refusal.
"We're going to move on and continue building subways," Ford declared. "We've acknowledged them and we've learned — all of the stakeholders, Metrolinx, TTC, we're all in it together. I'm the first to come out and acknowledge the mistakes, but I'm not going to waste time on inquiries and all the nonsense, tie all these people up — all these people here have more subways to build."
A Troubled History of Cost Overruns and Missed Deadlines
The 19-kilometre, 25-stop light rail line, originally conceived in 2007 with construction beginning in 2011, was initially projected to open six years ago. Instead, it arrives more than a billion dollars over its $12.6-billion budget. Trial runs only commenced last year, with the official opening date confirmed just this week.
Key operational details for the new line include:
- Initial operating hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sunday service starting at 7:30 a.m.
- Train frequencies of every six to eight minutes, increasing to every four minutes during peak periods.
- Overnight shuttle bus service along the route until extended hours are implemented.
- An anticipated end-to-end travel time of 50 to 55 minutes, significantly faster than the current bus route which can take over 105 minutes.
To celebrate the launch, passengers will be able to ride Line 5 for free this Sunday, with the first trains departing Kennedy Station at 7:30 a.m. Notably, no formal opening day events or ceremonies are planned.
Mayor Chow Advocates for Phased Approach to Service Launch
Mayor Olivia Chow, who was serving as a Member of Parliament when construction began, expressed enthusiasm for the line's opening while emphasizing a cautious rollout strategy. "We are taking a thoughtful approach to this opening," Chow stated. "The TTC, working in partnership with Metrolinx and Crosslinx, will soft-launch the crosstown, ramping up services gradually as we get feedback from riders and make improvements."
This phased approach mirrors recommendations from the 2022 public inquiry into Ottawa's troubled Confederation Line LRT, which advised gradual implementation for new transit projects to identify and address issues early.
Looking Forward: Transit Expansion as a Provincial Priority
Transport Minister Sarkaria highlighted the recent opening of the Finch West LRT as a success story, noting it has brought transit access within walking distance for over 230,000 additional residents. He emphasized that the government has secured agreements to proceed with the Ontario Line, another major transit initiative.
Premier Ford framed the Eglinton Crosstown as a critical component of broader ambitions to transform Toronto into a world-class public transit city. He cited severe economic impacts of traffic congestion, estimating gridlock costs Ontario $56 billion annually—a figure that could soar to $145 billion within two decades without intervention.
"We left Etobicoke, it took us an hour to get here along Eglinton — all the more reason we need to build more subways, build that 401 tunnel, and continue to build and never stop building," Ford asserted, underscoring his administration's commitment to ongoing infrastructure development despite past challenges.
