Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Metrolinx is the owner of the project. Metrolinx determined the scope of the project, including schedule and budget, as well as the project specific outputs required for the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Metrolinx also acquires lands needed for the project. Metrolinx continues to oversee design and construction works. 

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) manages the Province’s Alternative Financing and Procurement program which the station/stops constructor of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT was procured through. Additionally, they negotiated the project agreement that determines the role of each party. IO continues to oversee the implementation of the project agreement to provide quality control and oversight.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions is the constructor chosen to build and maintain the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. They are a consortium of global and local leaders in urban transportation infrastructure: ACS, Aecon, Ellis Don, and SNC Lavalin. They will design, construct, and finance the 25 stations and stops, the tracks and signals, and the maintenance and storage facility. They will also maintain the LRT system for 30 years.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will be responsible the day-to-day operation of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT integrated as part of their transit system. Since the beginning of the project, Metrolinx and the TTC have worked in close collaboration to ensure the effectiveness of the project – and will continue to do so.

Metrolinx works very closely with the TTC to determine what stop relocations and/or re-routings are necessary to ensure construction can continue safely while minimizing impact on the community and TTC customers. Transit users are encouraged to watch for signs posted at the stops indicating a temporary change. They can also call 416-393-4636 or check the Service Advisories at www.ttc.ca. 

Transit stops with shelters that require relocation may not receive temporary shelters in their new positions.

Metrolinx and its station contractor, Crosslinx Transit Solutions, ensure that areas around the construction sites comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). In areas along the corridor where there are specific accessibility needs, we work with community groups to ensure we’re considering every option.

We acknowledge that traffic delays and congestion, safety, and infiltration of residential streets are long standing concerns in neighbourhoods along Eglinton Avenue. As construction reaches long-term phases for station and stop construction, residents and commuters can expect that routes will be much busier.

Before a work zone is set up, traffic engineers from both Metrolinx and our constructor, Crosslinx Transit Solutions, work with City Transportation staff to review the work zone and determine the necessary traffic set up to ensure the site can be safely maneuvered by traffic and pedestrians.

The traffic engineers also discuss other potential traffic flow solutions like temporarily alleviating neighbourhood restrictions and changing traffic signals with local decision-makers, including elected officials, Toronto Police Services, and the City of Toronto.

These partners also keep on monitoring and making further adjustments in the vicinity of work zone if necessary.

If any illegal driving behaviours and activities on your streets are witnessed, please report to the local police department who has the jurisdiction for enforcement.

Pedestrian safety is of the utmost importance. During construction, there may be temporary detours and closures of sections of sidewalks to ensure that pedestrian routes are a safe distance from construction and easily usable for persons with accessibility needs.

Pedestrian walkways will remain open for as far as possible and directional signage will be in place to help pedestrian traffic flow when there is a closure or detour in effect. Where necessary, for efficient pedestrian flow and safety, temporary crossing lights will be set-up. A sidewalk width of 1.5 metres will be maintained, as per the standards outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT line will be partially underground. The 19-kilometre route between Mount Dennis Station (Weston Road) and Kennedy Station will include a 10-kilometre underground portion in its central section between Keele Street and Laird Drive. The rest of the line will run at street level in a dedicated right-of-way transit lane, separate from regular traffic.

The purpose of Metrolinx’s Community Benefits Program is to provide opportunities for historically disadvantaged populations and equity-seeking groups and benefits for local residents where our projects are under construction, which include:

• employment and training opportunities
• apprenticeships
• local supplier and social enterprise opportunities, where possible

Metrolinx recognizes that its major infrastructure investments should also provide benefits for the communities in which it works, including employment, apprenticeship, and local supplier opportunities, where possible. 

This is an excellent example of partnership and collaboration with government, business, labour and community partners, specifically the Toronto Community Benefits Network, the United Way Toronto & York Region, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Crosslinx Transit Solutions. 

Crosslinx Transit Solutions role is to design, build, finance and maintain the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit Project. 

As part of the Community Benefits commitments, its role is to provide prospects for historically disadvantaged communities and equity-seeking groups in the skilled trades, journeypersons, apprentices, Professional, Administrative and Technical positions, local business, and social enterprise opportunities.

The goals of the Community Benefits & Liaison Plan are to provide community liaison to the communities impacted by design and construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit Project. As well, to plan, organize and host events to enhance community awareness of employment opportunities and opportunities for the provisions of goods and services. And lastly, to develop and retain meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) partners with local workforce agencies and informs them of employment opportunities and initiatives. 

Those workforce agency networks include the City of Toronto Employment and Social Services, Employment Ontario, Toronto Community Benefits Network member agencies and the Consortium of Agencies Serving Internationally-trained Persons.

Day-to-day operations of the Eglinton LRT line will be handled by the TTC. The specific fare has not yet been determined; but it is expected to be consistent with local transit fares in 2021.

Stations and vehicles will be  PRESTO-enabled. As of the end of 2016, PRESTO was available on all TTC subway stations, buses and streetcars.