All stations and stops complete along the Finch West LRT. Work underway across all contracts that make up the Ontario Line. Tunneling complete on the western underground portion of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.  

These were just a few of the important milestones we reached this year as we work to build an affordable, integrated, and sustainable transit network that connects communities to the things that matter most. 

As 2024 comes to a close, here is a look back at the top videos, articles and moments of the year – and the ones that you loved most.  

Twin excavators complete their 6.3-kilometre mission for the ECWE 

In May, twin tunnel boring machines Rexy and Renny reached the finish line of their 6.3-kilometre mission, completing the western underground section of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (ECWE).  

The completion of these two new tunnels means that project is one step closer to bringing the future Eglinton Crosstown LRT 9.2-kilometres farther west, creating a continuous rapid transit line from Scarborough, through midtown Toronto, and into Mississauga, with seven new stations along the way.   

Key progress update for Kitchener GO Line 

Also this May, we completed a key package of work on the Kitchener GO Line between Georgetown and Kitchener.  

Construction on the Kitchener Line is happening in phases, which will unlock incremental service improvements as each phase of work is completed. A key part of those incremental improvements involves building new tracks, platforms and other pieces of rail infrastructure to make it possible to run more trains to and from Kitchener.   

Demolishing the Progress Avenue bridge 

Over the Labour Day weekend, construction for the Scarborough Subway Extension took a big step forward with the removal of the 8,100-tonne Progress Avenue bridge above McCowan Road, at the site of the future Scarborough Centre Station.  

The bridge, which weighed approximately the same as 15 jumbo jets, was removed in a 72-hour sprint in a coordinated effort involving dozens of people and machines. 

All stations and stops complete along the Finch West LRT 

In September, we also announced that crews finished construction on all stations and stops along the alignment including Humber College Station, Finch West Station and every surface-level stop in between. Major construction on the Finch West LRT project is now complete, and it is currently in the testing and commissioning phase.   

When it opens, the new line will carry millions of riders each year using emission-free light rail vehicles. Passengers will also benefit from additional transit connections to other regional transit systems such as GO Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit and the TTC.  

Work underway across all contracts that make up the Ontario Line 

Work began in October on two new bridges in the northern segment of the Ontario Line subway that will carry Ontario Line trains across the Don Valley and through the Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods. 

This new milestone built on the ongoing progress of the Ontario Line, with partners on board for all contracts and work underway along the entire route. When complete, the Ontario Line will bring 15 new subway stations to the city, running from Exhibition Place through downtown, making it faster and easier to travel within Toronto and beyond. 

The story behind the bridges of the future Ontario Line 

Speaking of Ontario Line bridges, one of your favourite stories this year was a deep dive into how these two new bridges plus another new one being built downtown will transform Toronto’s cityscape. 

“These bridges have to be functional, but we also are very cognizant about their place in the city, and we spent a lot of time sculpting elements on them to get the details right,” said John Potter, senior manager subways sponsor at Metrolinx. 

Making progress on the Hazel McCallion Line 

We also made progress on the Hazel McCallion Line this year.  

In South Mississauga, the line's one underground station at Port Credit is coming to life — concrete has been poured to form the floors at street level. In central Mississauga, all of the support girders — horizontal beams that will hold up the track — have been installed for the elevated guideway over Highway 403. Plus, track work is continuing, with installations complete at 33 out of 55 intersections so far, and platforms are now constructed at seven out of 18 stops. Preparations are also underway for the delivery of the Light Rail Vehicles at our Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility which is nearing completion. 

Hamilton LRT procurement takes a big step forward 

This November, we released the Request for Qualifications for the civil and utilities contract for the Hamilton LRT. This is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the first package of work for the project.  

With enabling works and procurement now underway, we are one step closer to bringing 14 kilometres of fast, frequent light rail transit through Hamilton’s downtown core, connecting you from Eastgate to McMaster and everywhere in between.  

Beyond these exciting milestones and project updates, we were thrilled this year to celebrate a transformative year for PRESTO. The transit payment system made several advancements that gave transit riders in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) more flexibility, seamless transfers and money in their pockets. The One Fare program launched in February and already over 25 million transfers have been made using One Fare, saving commuters more than $81 million collectively. In July, Metrolinx and Apple introduced PRESTO in Apple Wallet, bringing you another way to pay your fare across the region.  

This year, we also continued our focus on safety, hosting events around Rail Safety Week and launching a series of videos and stories around LRT safety, and accessibility, launching a partnership with AccessNow in January and adding more transit accessibility guides on the MagnusCards app. 

It’s been a busy and eventful year, full of important milestones and great moments, and we look forward to sharing more stories and updates with you in 2025. Thank you for reading Discover!