The promise of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally nearing completion hangs in the balance, but a year-end opening feels increasingly improbable. Recent 30-day “revenue service demonstration” testing concluded without major incident – a crucial step, yet one that came only after a second attempt was needed to achieve success.
The project’s troubled history was starkly reminded by an October incident at Mount Dennis Station, where a collision between two trains briefly halted testing. While thankfully no one was injured, the event underscored the complexities and challenges that have plagued the Crosstown from the start.
Now, with testing complete, the focus shifts to “substantial completion” and handover to the Toronto Transit Commission. However, a definitive opening date remains elusive, prompting questions about when riders can realistically expect to utilize the long-awaited line.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria acknowledged a “possibility” of a 2025 opening, but tempered expectations with a dose of reality. The recent experience with the Finch LRT offers a potential timeline, as it transitioned to TTC control just six weeks after finishing its final tests, with a planned opening date of December 7th.
Applying a similar timeframe to the Crosstown suggests a more likely opening in mid-January. This is particularly frustrating considering the Crosstown project began construction in 2011, years before the Finch line broke ground in 2019, yet is poised to open later.
The disparity in timelines is striking. While the Finch line spans 11 kilometers with 18 stops, the Crosstown stretches 19 kilometers with 25 stops. Yet, the sheer duration of the Crosstown’s construction has become a source of widespread frustration, even dwarfing the ambitious Channel Tunnel project connecting London and Paris.
Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay openly acknowledges this public frustration, stepping into the role after his predecessor, Phil Verster, failed to resolve the project’s mounting issues. Verster’s earlier optimistic predictions of an imminent opening were ultimately undermined by revelations of improperly laid tracks.
Lindsay emphasizes that the rigorous 30-day testing period is a direct response to the disastrous 2019 launch of Ottawa’s LRT system. That system, rushed to completion to coincide with a federal election, proved unreliable and unable to function in various weather conditions.
The current focus on thorough testing reflects a commitment to safety and reliability, ensuring the Crosstown avoids a similar fate. Ottawa’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the critical importance of comprehensive evaluation before welcoming passengers.
However, beyond the technical hurdles, a deeper reckoning is needed. The public deserves a full accounting of how the Crosstown project spiraled into such a protracted and costly undertaking. A public inquiry may be necessary to uncover the root causes of the delays and ensure accountability.
Successive governments, both Liberal and now Ford, have been criticized for a lack of transparency surrounding the project. Ultimately, the public deserves not only answers but also the opportunity to experience the benefits of this vital transit line as soon as possible.
