At long last, the Eglinton Crosstown has an opening date
(Knock on wood)
As an early Valentine’s Day gift from the TTC, Torontonians will be getting something they need more than true love: the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
On Monday, a source close to the project told CTV News that the excruciatingly long-awaited line is set to launch on February 8. Premier Doug Ford confirmed the date later the same day.
Related: Doug Ford has had it with Eglinton Crosstown construction
The 19-kilometre, 25-stop line has been under construction since 2011. It was expected to be completed in 2020 but has been plagued with another half-decade of delays, lawsuits and general mayhem. Three mayors and three premiers later, it seems it will carry passengers at long last.
Councillor Josh Matlow, who serves on the TTC board, confirmed in a post on X last week that he’d been hearing the same opening date. Still, he advised cautious optimism—a resource Torontonians have little left to draw on by this point.
Related: A Toronto comedian hired a mariachi band for the Eglinton Crosstown’s quinceañera
The news of the opening will be particularly well-received by residents and business owners along Eglinton Avenue, who have been put through hell by the line’s sluggish construction. Just last week, Little Jamaica’s BIA declared a state of emergency, saying upward of 300 businesses on Eglinton between Marlee and Keele have shuttered since work began on the Crosstown.
Related: The Eglinton Crosstown is almost ready—but at what cost to Little Jamaica?
The line’s northern neighbour, the Finch West LRT, beat the Crosstown to the finish line in December even though construction on that project started in 2019. Now, much like for the Finch West, the spotlight will be on the Crosstown’s performance. Here’s hoping it doesn’t snow on February 8.
Edward Lander is a Toronto-based writer who is currently Toronto Life’s editorial intern. He’s passionate about features and creative non-fiction. He studies journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he also edits features for the campus newspaper.
