Eglinton Crosstown LRT opens Sunday and ushers in a new era for the street

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT will open on Sunday after more than 15 years of construction, and nearby businesses say they expect improved access and increased foot traffic.

The Eglinton Crosstown light rail line is scheduled to open on Sunday after more than 15 years of work along Eglinton Avenue. Initial soil testing began around 2008 and the project proceeded through multiple changes in city leadership, legal disputes and shifts in who managed the work. The provincial agency Metrolinx accepted the completed line in December 2025 and handed it to the Toronto Transit Commission for assessment. Local business owners along the route say they are ready to emerge from the construction period and anticipate better access and more activity. Key facts: - Soil testing and early preparation for the light rail began around 2008. - Construction and related disruptions lasted more than 15 years and involved political changes and lawsuits. - Project control moved to Metrolinx, which accepted the line as complete in December 2025 and transferred it to the TTC. - The TTC confirmed the line will open on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. - Local merchants report limited access during construction and expect increased foot traffic after opening. Summary: The opening restores rapid transit along an important east–west corridor and is described by supporters as improving connections across neighbourhoods. The immediate next step is the public launch on Sunday, Feb. 8, with local businesses noting anticipated changes in street activity.