Eglinton Crosstown could reshape travel despite delays and overruns

After about 15 years of work, the 19-kilometre, 25-stop Eglinton Crosstown LRT began service at Mount Dennis; it opened six years late and its final budget approaches $13 billion.

After a decade and a half of construction, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT began service at Mount Dennis and carries through to Kennedy station. The line combines roughly 10 kilometres underground across the city centre with surface running at either end. Its stations present a coherent, light-filled design noted by planners, even as the project has been repeatedly delayed and contested. Key facts: - The line is about 19 kilometres long with 25 stops and connects Mount Dennis in the northwest to Kennedy in Scarborough. - The project opened with trains running roughly every seven minutes and some minor interruptions reported during initial service. - The final project cost is reported at nearly $13 billion, more than 40 percent above the original estimate. - Maintenance for 30 years was awarded to Crosslinx, the private consortium that built the line; TTC staff operate the trains. - Union leaders and staff have called for clearer information about operational and design issues, and provincial officials have said lessons on procurement and system integration are being learned. Summary: The Crosstown adds a second east–west transit spine and a distinct station design to Toronto’s network, but it opened after significant delays, cost overruns, and public disputes among contractors, operators and unions. Provincial officials say lessons are being taken from the project on procurement and integration; longer-term implications for development along Eglinton and for how Toronto builds future transit are undetermined at this time.