Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

Final cost estimates for the project will be refined throughout the procurement process, which is still underway.

Metrolinx is partnering with Infrastructure Ontario on procurement for major contracts. As each major contract is awarded, the cost will be posted publicly.

Dividing the project into separate contracts is creating needed capacity in the market to ensure we can deliver all the necessary work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Construction on the project started in July 2021.

We will work with closely with our contractors to minimize any disruptions to communities during construction and operations.

During construction, we’ll continuously monitor noise levels and use tools like equipment silencers and temporary noise barriers to keep things as quiet as possible. We will ensure noisy activities occur during daytime whenever possible and plan vehicle access routes that will minimize on-site movement and avoid travel on residential streets. Communities will be notified well in advance of any upcoming construction work.

We’ve also set up a 24-hour phone line where people can reach out if they have any questions or concerns about the project. Our dedicated community relations team is available at 416-202-8001, through email at EglintonWest@metrolinx.com or in-person at our community office at 326 Scarlett Road.

The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will tunnel approximately 10 to 15 metres per day, so the work is continuously moving forward and won’t stay in a particular place for too long. They will also be approximately 15 to 20 metres below the surface, so any noise and vibrations will be minimal.

The machines for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension are “earth pressure balance” TBMs. This means the pressure inside the machine adjusts to match the pressure of the earth outside of it, which prevents any ground settlement from occurring.

We are using design and construction methods that will keep noise and vibration levels low and within approved levels. Noise and vibration levels will also be continuously monitored throughout tunnelling to ensure we have the right solutions in place throughout the course of the project.

We’ve also set up a 24/7 phone line where people can reach out if they have any questions or concerns about the project. Our dedicated community relations team is available at 416-202-8001, through email at EglintonWest@metrolinx.com, or in-person at our community office at 326 Scarlett Road.

We will be working directly with businesses throughout the duration of the project to help them continue to succeed. This includes collaborating on local marketing campaigns, profiling local businesses, ensuring areas surrounding work sites are safe, clean and clear for employees and customers, and putting up clear and simple wayfinding signage wherever necessary. Contractors are also required to report regularly on how they are using local businesses to acquire goods and services during the construction of the project.

We facilitate broader community conversations through construction liaison committees, which are dedicated forums where we can discuss plans with residents and businesses and come up with local solutions for minimizing impacts and keeping people and goods moving.

Yes, we have. Metrolinx first conducted an environmental assessment (EA) for a potential above-ground light rail transit line in this area in 2010 as part of the assessment for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

After the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension was announced in 2019, Metrolinx prepared another EA that addressed changes to the project design in this area, including the elevated guideway. Metrolinx asked for public feedback on the report, inviting Indigenous communities, approximately 14,150 neighbourhood residents and businesses, and other key stakeholders to provide comments.

After Metrolinx assessed and responded to comments, the EA was finalized in June 2020.

It is available through the Resources page.

Providing ongoing access to beloved community park space is a top priority for us as we deliver this important project.

We know that spaces where we can relax and unwind and children can play are vital in communities, and we are committed to working with our community partners to ensure there is continued access to park and playground space as we deliver better, faster and easier transit.

While there will be some impacts to parks during construction, we are committed to only using space that is absolutely necessary and we will work with the city and the community to ensure that it is thoughtfully restored once the project is finished.

During construction, the safety of park spaces will be a top priority and regular communication and safety measures will be in place to keep the community and park visitors safe.

In a built-up and growing region, some trees need to be removed to make room for new transit lines. To offset these removals, Metrolinx follows a detailed, science-based plan for planting new trees and keeping the region green. Overall, our practice is to plant more trees than we remove as we build new transit and we work closely with contractors to incentivize them to only take what is required. Our goal is always to keep the number of trees we remove to a minimum and we strive to replace them in areas where they are being removed as early as we can.

Read more about our Vegetation Management and Tree Compensation Program.

The Humber River passes through the area around Eglinton Avenue West between Scarlett Road and Jane Street, and is an identified flood plain zone that has experienced historic levels of flooding with Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and more recently during the Toronto flood of 2013.

The higher risk of flooding around the Humber River poses unique challenges to building underground infrastructure in the area. Elevating the line here on a bridge, or “guideway,” is the best way to provide safe, reliable service for commuters. 

The potential for flooding would also have posed operational risks for underground stations and tunnels once the line is running and could impact the reliability of the service. In the event of a flood, major damage to the line would occur and extensive repairs would be needed.

Read more about the elevated guideway.

The names currently assigned to numerous stations are placeholders, which is usually the case during early planning phases of a project. We will seek community feedback on appropriate alternatives and ensure final names are clear and representative of the neighbourhoods they will serve.

You can find initial artist’s renderings of each station on our website.

The renderings represent the starting point for the future project partners to work from as detailed design work moves forward. The stations along the line are being designed using a set of principles and guidelines that will make sure they fit into the areas they will serve while making sure entrances, pedestrian connections, and transit connections are convenient and easy to access.

We remain committed to establishing a connection between the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Pearson International Airport and we have been actively collaborating with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and municipal partners on making it a reality.

The province will own the line and be accountable for maintenance. The TTC will operate the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, similar to the arrangement for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will provide a seamless travel experience for customers. It will run as part of the existing TTC network, on a TTC fare. As they do today, people will pay with PRESTO.

The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will connect seamlessly with the Eglinton Crosstown. There will be no need to transfer as you travel along the corridor.