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TTC Can Open Eglinton LRT When They Feel Comfortable, Says Transportation Minister

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 6:45 GMT by Global News
      Locale: CANADA

TTC Can Open Eglinton LRT When They Feel Comfortable, Says Transportation Minister

The Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) long‑delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT has once again been in the news, this time not for a new opening date but for a reassuring message from Ontario’s transportation minister. In a recent interview published by Global News, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure Doug Ford’s cabinet—the provincial official responsible for transit projects across Ontario—stated that the TTC “can open the Eglinton Crosstown when they feel comfortable.” While the comment left the exact timetable vague, it underscored the priority of safety, quality, and public confidence over meeting aggressive deadlines.

Why the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Is Still “Open For Discussion”

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT (often simply called the “Crosstown”) is a 19‑kilometre light‑rail line that will run along Eglinton Avenue, linking the existing Line 1 Yonge‑University subway to the Line 2 Bloor‑Danforth subway. The project, which has seen a dramatic cost escalation—from an original budget of $2.4 billion to roughly $9.2 billion—has been plagued by contractor disputes, engineering challenges, and the COVID‑19 pandemic’s supply‑chain disruptions.

A Global News investigation into the line’s progress revealed that the construction is now roughly 70‑80 % complete. Key work such as the underground tunnel sections between the two termini, station construction, and track laying is largely finished, while the final phases include signal testing, power‑infrastructure installation, and extensive safety certifications. The TTC has repeatedly warned that the remaining work cannot be rushed without compromising the line’s long‑term reliability.

The minister’s statement came after a briefing by the TTC’s chief executive, James Leishman, who highlighted that the transit authority has “no intention of cutting corners” and wants to deliver a service that will stand the test of time. Leishman also explained that the TTC’s current schedule is designed to allow for thorough testing and community engagement, ensuring that the new line meets residents’ expectations and complies with the province’s stringent safety regulations.

What “When They Feel Comfortable” Means in Practice

While the phrase might sound ambiguous, the article clarified that the TTC’s “comfort” will be determined by several criteria:

1. Safety and Reliability Testing – The TTC must run a series of end‑to‑end tests with trains, staff, and maintenance crews to ensure that all mechanical, electrical, and signalling components are fully operational. These tests are typically carried out over several months and are non‑negotiable.

2. Regulatory Approvals – The line must secure final approvals from the provincial Department of Transportation, the City of Toronto’s Transportation Services, and the federal government (particularly the Canada Border Services Agency for any cross‑border considerations). These approvals are issued only after rigorous inspections and documentation.

3. Community Readiness – The TTC will conduct public consultations and pilot services to gauge passenger usage patterns and address potential operational issues before the full launch.

4. Financial Sustainability – The TTC and the province must confirm that the line’s operating costs are covered by fare revenue, government subsidies, and long‑term maintenance budgets. The minister indicated that the provincial government is willing to provide additional funding if needed, but only if the TTC demonstrates sound fiscal planning.

5. Weather and Environmental Factors – Toronto’s winter season can pose significant challenges for underground lines. The TTC will evaluate whether all heating, ventilation, and emergency systems are robust enough to keep operations running smoothly during extreme weather.

The minister emphasized that the TTC “doesn’t want to rush the opening” because a premature launch could lead to costly operational hiccups and public disappointment. The line has already suffered several high‑profile setbacks, including a near‑miss incident in 2019 when a construction crane collapsed on a nearby road. That incident, which left a man injured, further reinforced the need for a measured approach.

How the Crosstown Fits into Toronto’s Broader Transit Vision

The Eglinton Crosstown is a cornerstone of Toronto’s Transit City vision, which aims to integrate new light‑rail lines with existing subway, streetcar, and regional rail networks. The Crosstown will provide a direct east‑west corridor that currently relies on a maze of bus routes and streetcars. By cutting through the city’s densely populated core, the line will reduce travel times by up to 20 minutes for many commuters, easing congestion on the Bloor‑Danforth line and on the Yonge‑University corridor.

The project also promises economic benefits: a projected $2.5 billion increase in property values along the corridor, along with new retail and housing opportunities. The City of Toronto has earmarked up to $500 million in municipal funds for nearby infill development, which will be contingent on the line’s operational status.

The Minister highlighted that the provincial government will continue to support the line’s construction and post‑opening maintenance. In an accompanying statement, the Minister of Infrastructure reiterated the province’s commitment to ensuring that the Crosstown serves the city’s diverse communities and promotes equitable access to transit.

Links and Further Context

• TTC’s Official Status Update: The TTC’s website provides a detailed project timeline, including milestones such as “Full System Test” and “Open‑House” events. The page also lists the current phase as “Near Completion.”

• Ontario’s Transit Funding Policy: The province’s Capital Budget 2023 includes a line item for the Crosstown’s final construction and a long‑term funding model for operations.

• City of Toronto’s Crosstown Initiative: The city’s “Crosstown: A New Path Forward” document outlines the expected social and economic impacts, along with a detailed environmental assessment.

• Historical Context: Global News’ earlier coverage (2015‑2020) tracked the line’s early setbacks, including contractor disputes with Dredging Ltd. and Stadler Rail.

Bottom Line

The message from Ontario’s transportation minister—“the TTC can open the Eglinton Crosstown LRT when they feel comfortable”—is a call for prudence rather than a dismissal of the project’s importance. It underscores the need for a meticulous, safety‑first approach to bringing one of Toronto’s most ambitious transit projects to fruition. While the public and the media will likely keep pressing for a definitive opening date, the TTC’s emphasis on quality and reliability offers a reassuring framework: the Crosstown will be ready, but only when all conditions align, not merely when the clock ticks.

With the line’s physical construction largely completed, the remaining months will be dominated by testing, certification, and community engagement. As the TTC and provincial government move forward, Toronto residents can anticipate an LRT system that, while delayed, promises to deliver a safer, faster, and more integrated transit experience across the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.