TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission, operator of the city’s subways and streetcars, has officially taken control of the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown light rail line, the head of regional transit agency Metrolinx said on Tuesday (June 17).
Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said the TTC would begin controlling train movements no later than today, June 18.
The CBC reports that Lindsay told a press conference that the system is being “relentlessly” tested: “We’re doing the things for this line that frankly were not done for the Ottawa LRT, demonstrating to ourselves that its going to perform the way that we want it to on the day that it opens.” An inquiry into the significant problems with Ottawa’s light rail Confederation line determined that at least some of its problems stemmed from the route being rushed into service [see “Report from Ottawa light rail inquiry …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 1, 2022].
The Eglinton Crosstown, a 19-kilometer (11.8-mile), 25-station route with a majority of its trackage either below grade or underground, is currently projected to open in September. Under construction since 2011, it was originally projected for completion in 2020, but technical issues and
Global News reports that Lindsay said infrastructure and operator training are complete, but a formal 14-day trial and 30-day practice are still required before the project can launch regular service. The 30-day practice involves running the system as it will operate in normal service, but with no passengers aboard. Originally projected to cost Ca$9.1 billion, that figure had grown to at least Ca$12.8 billion ($9.4 billion at current exchange rates) according to figures obtained by the CBC in 2022.
