Work begins on Eglinton Crosstown’s Laird Station

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, center, with Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca, left and Metrolinx President/CEO Bruce McCuaig.
Premier Kathleen Wynne/Twitter

On June 30, the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line broke ground on the Laird Station, which located near the midpoint of the 19-kilometer (12–mile) Light Rail Transit (LRT) line.

 

Construction began in March on Keelesdale, the first underground station. By the end of the summer, more than half of the underground stations on the 25-station line will be under construction.

Ontario has invested CA$5.3 billion (US$4.1 billion) toward the capital costs of the LRT line. New, modern light-rail vehicles on tracks separated from regular traffic will offer fast, efficient service and improve travel for people along the busy Eglinton corridor. The Eglinton Crosstown will also help lower greenhouse gas pollution, improving air quality and fighting climate change.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is expected to begin service in 2021 and by 2031, it is expected to carry about 5,500 passengers per hour during peak travel times and have an annual ridership of about 50 million.

In addition to the 25 new stations and stops, the LRT line will link to 54 bus routes, three Toronto Transit Commission interchange subway stations and GO Transit. It will help move people across Toronto more quickly, reliably and conveniently, with service operating up to 60 percent faster than the existing bus service on Eglinton Avenue.

“With more than half of the underground stations under construction by the end of summer, we are making considerable progress on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line. This is further proof of our government’s commitment to provide accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians,” said Steven Del Duca, Ontario minister of Transportation.

 

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