Metrolinx president and CEO, Phil Verster has just released (Feb. 18, 2020) the following statement on the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) project:

“The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is a transformative project for our region and we look forward to it being operational as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) has faced a number of challenges since the start of the project, including starting nine months later than planned after contract award in July 2015, were slow to finalize the designs with some design work packages, and although CTS has significantly improved its production rate since the 2018 agreement, it has achieved only 84 per cent of its target, meaning the project will be delayed.

In addition, an unpredictable, but safe, defect was found under the TTC station box at Eglinton-Yonge station. Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario, CTS, and the TTC have been seized with addressing this defect and although a way forward has been determined, the station will be delayed further.

It is expected that the LRT will open well into 2022.

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are not making any precise predictions of the project completion date at this point, simply because CTS must prove to us that they can achieve the new production rates they say they can achieve. It is important to note that the project remains within budget.

We will keep the public apprised on a consistent basis over the next two years on how work is progressing.

Ultimately, our goal is to deliver more transit to the region as quickly as possible without compromising safety or quality. Like all transit riders in the region, we are disappointed that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will not be operational in September 2021.”